Samsung's One UI 8.5: A New Era for Galaxy Devices
Samsung Electronics Japan has officially announced the rollout of its latest user interface, One UI 8.5, across current models of the Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Initially, One UI 8.5 was compatible only with the recently released Samsung Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy A57 5G. However, it now extends support to all models launched from the Galaxy S23 series onwards in 2023, marking a significant leap in user experience.
Enhanced User Experience
One UI 8.5 boasts a host of improvements designed to streamline user interactions. The system's underlying AI has been integrated to anticipate user needs, making it easier and more intuitive to execute tasks. Users will experience a surge in productivity and the ability to express their creativity freely, transforming how they interact with their devices.
In addition to general enhancements, specific devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Ultra, S24, S24 Ultra, Z Fold7, and Z Flip7 will support Quick Share's new compatibility with AirDrop. This allows seamless content sharing between different operating systems, enabling users to share photos, videos, and documents effortlessly.
Outlined Features of One UI 8.5
Expanded Quick Share Capabilities
The
Quick Share feature allows Samsung Galaxy users to quickly and securely share files like photos and videos with others. With the introduction of One UI 8.5, select Samsung Galaxy smartphones can now utilize AirDrop, bridging the gap between Android and iOS devices. Previously, Quick Share was limited to Android devices sharing files via Bluetooth. With this update, users can share data without constraints on the file size or number, vastly improving the sharing experience.
There are some specific devices that will support the new Quick Share functionality, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7, S25, S25 Ultra, S24, and S24 Ultra. To use Quick Share, devices must be running Android OS 10.0 or later along with the required Samsung apps.
Photographic Editing with AI Assistance
The upgraded
Photo Assistant feature allows users to edit images using AI. Users can now edit photos by simply providing textual instructions to the AI. For example, changing a scene from day to night or enhancing a partially captured image is made effortless. The latest AI functionalities enable users to refine clothing imperfections by changing outfits directly within the photo, making the editing process both enjoyable and efficient.
Creative Studio Enhancements
The
Creative Studio feature allows users to generate and save sticker sets for messaging and photo editing. Additionally, users can create invitations, profile cards, wallpapers, and more, significantly enhancing the scope of everyday creative expressions.
Expansion of au Starlink Direct SIM-Free Devices
Furthermore, the expansion of One UI 8.5 also extends to the au Starlink Direct SIM-free devices, adding six new products to the existing offering. This brings the total number of compatible models to 18, including celebrated devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy S23 Ultra, and the A36 5G and A25 5G models.
To utilize these new features, users will require an au SIM, and availability will progressively increase starting mid-June 2026. For ongoing service updates, users can refer to the au Starlink Direct and other related websites.
Samsung continues to redefine the smartphone experience with each software update, ensuring users enjoy innovative features that enhance their connectivity and creativity. One UI 8.5 is set to make life more seamless, allowing Galaxy users to maximize their device potential with future-proofing technology.
For further details on One UI 8.5, please visit Samsung's official page.
Note: Compatibility and feature availability may vary based on specific Samsung Galaxy models.