Samsung's One UI 8.5 release is almost here, and the company has released an official teaser showcasing refreshed apps. The teaser hints at significant changes to four core apps: Messages, Game Booster, Camera, and Wallet. This year, Samsung's marketing efforts have intensified, focusing on key features and software enhancements. The teaser, titled "The new One UI is coming!!", emphasizes the upcoming release. Samsung Messages, which has been prioritized years after the Galaxy phones' switch to Google Messages, is set to receive updates. Game Booster is also being tweaked, with new features expected to assist power gamers. The Camera app will undergo substantial changes for the Galaxy S26 series, and Samsung Wallet is expanding its digital footprint. The teaser is available on x.com/thesammyfans/status/2022140059592667418. One UI 8.5 is already available in Beta, but the version tailored for the Galaxy S26 series will be a significant upgrade. Samsung plans to unveil the Galaxy S26 series on February 25th in San Francisco, with the first sale expected on March 11th, marking the release date of One UI 8.5. Samsung recently released the One UI 8.5 Beta 4 update for the Galaxy S25 series and is preparing the fifth Beta firmware. The stable deployment is anticipated to start in April, beginning with the S25 lineup. Yash, the author of compelling tech narratives at Sammy Fans, has evolved from a Samsung firmware enthusiast to a multi-faceted tech storyteller, with a particular focus on Samsung's One UI. Additionally, Samsung is working on a new Galaxy Z Fold with One UI 9, and the first software build has been spotted. The device, internally codenamed "H8", is expected to run Android 17 with One UI 9 out of the box. Samsung aims to launch this device globally, offering a more affordable option. The first One UI 9 firmware has been seen for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8, suggesting that these devices will be the first to feature the new software. Samsung has also begun preparing the One UI 9 update for the Galaxy Z Fold 7. One UI 9 development has started for the upcoming Galaxy Z series, with the first software build spotted for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Samsung usually unveils its Galaxy Z series smartphones in the middle of the year, and they typically ship with the new version of One UI. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 are expected to launch with One UI 9 based on Android 17, offering new features, performance improvements, and foldable-specific optimizations. Samsung is finalizing One UI 8.5, which is currently in the beta testing phase and will be released alongside the Galaxy S26 series on February 25th. The update will then expand to other eligible Galaxy devices. A new feature in One UI 8.5, Partial Screen Recording, allows users to record only a specific part of the screen, making it easier to capture specific content without adjusting the frame manually. Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy S26 series with the stable One UI 8.5 update later this month, followed by updates for other eligible Galaxy devices.
