Erencan YılmazSamsung is about to mix things up again with One UI 8.5, its upcoming major software update based on Android 16. Due to launch alongside the Galaxy S26 series in early 2026, this release will see the revival of the former “x.5” versioning scheme. In a decision reminiscent of the times of One UI 1.5 and 2.5, the company is going to entirely skip versions 8.1 and 8.1.1.
This change has led to speculation that Samsung is revising its update policy—although whether this is a one-time or permanent move is yet to be determined. For additional information on One UI updates and Galaxy AI capabilities, refer to Samsung’s official documentation.
What to expect from One UI 8.5?
The next release should feature more polished Galaxy AI features, building on Samsung’s continued focus on artificial intelligence. Although specific information is still scarce, the company will likely utilize this release to boost productivity, personalization, and intelligent integrations across the Galaxy ecosystem. One UI 8.5 will debut with the Galaxy S26 and could take a few weeks to reach other qualifying devices, particularly if it adds substantial new features that need additional fine-tuning.
Samsung One UI 8.5 Eligible Devices List
Based on Samsung’s existing update policy, most Galaxy devices that received One UI 8.0 should also qualify for One UI 8.5. Here’s a breakdown of the expected Samsung One UI 8.5 eligible devices:
Galaxy S Series
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (Pre-installed)
- Galaxy S26 Edge (Pre-installed)
- Galaxy S26 (Pre-installed)
- Galaxy S25
- Galaxy S25+
- Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Galaxy S25 Edge
- Galaxy S25 FE
- Galaxy S24
- Galaxy S24+
- Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Galaxy S24 FE
- Galaxy S23
- Galaxy S23+
- Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Galaxy S23 FE
- Galaxy S22
- Galaxy S22+
- Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 FE
Galaxy Z Series
- Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Galaxy Z Fold 5
- Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
- Galaxy Z Flip 7
- Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
- Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Galaxy Z Flip 5
- Galaxy Z Flip 4
Galaxy A Series
- Galaxy A73
- Galaxy A56
- Galaxy A55
- Galaxy A54
- Galaxy A53
- Galaxy A36
- Galaxy A35
- Galaxy A34
- Galaxy A33
- Galaxy A25
- Galaxy A24
- Galaxy A16 5G
- Galaxy A16 4G
- Galaxy A15 5G
- Galaxy A15 4G
- Galaxy A06 5G
- Galaxy A06 4G
Galaxy Tab Series
- Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S10+
- Galaxy Tab S10 FE
- Galaxy Tab S10 FE+
- Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S9+
- Galaxy Tab S9
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
- Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S8+
- Galaxy Tab S8
- Galaxy Tab A9
- Galaxy Tab A9+
- Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024)
Galaxy F Series
- Galaxy F55
- Galaxy F54
- Galaxy F34
- Galaxy F16
- Galaxy F15
- Galaxy F06 5G
Galaxy M Series
- Galaxy M56
- Galaxy M55s
- Galaxy M55
- Galaxy M54
- Galaxy M53
- Galaxy M34
- Galaxy M33
- Galaxy M16 5G
- Galaxy M15 5G
- Galaxy M06 5G
Galaxy XCover Series
- Galaxy XCover7
- Galaxy XCover7 Pro
- Galaxy XCover6 Pro
The return to the x.5 format of versioning may be indicative of a wider re-evaluation of Samsung’s philosophy of software release. Whether this is the start of a new tradition or a one-off exception, One UI 8.5 is a significant change in the way the company deals with incremental Android-based updates. With bated breath, Samsung users around the globe are waiting to find out how the new interface will be updated.
