One UI 8.5 is Samsung’s next big software update, bringing exciting new features, visual changes, and improvements that Galaxy users have been waiting for.
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One UI 8.5: A Bigger Update with Major Visual Changes
Although One UI 8.5 is still in the early stages of development, leaks suggest that Samsung is preparing some noticeable design upgrades. The Settings menu will adopt a rounder, more modern look with wider spacing between items, while the search bar will move to the bottom — a design tweak first introduced in the One UI 8 app drawer.
Functionally, not much will change since all options will remain in the same place. The leaked build currently lacks a battery icon and only shows the percentage, which is likely a temporary bug. When plugged into a charger, the phone still displays the same charging animation seen in One UI 8.
Several of Samsung’s core apps are also set to receive a refresh. The Phone app will introduce a floating tab bar and a new Direct Voicemail feature, while the redesigned Gallery app will adopt the same floating tab bar layout.
The biggest highlight, however, is the revamped Quick Settings panel and notification shade. Notifications will look cleaner with improved contrast, and the Quick Panel will become fully customizable. Users will be able to resize, rearrange, and even switch the brightness slider to a vertical layout — similar to iOS.
Samsung is expected to roll out One UI 8.5 alongside the Galaxy S26 series in early 2026. With several months of development ahead, features may still change, but early leaks suggest this could be a more significant upgrade than One UI 8.
