Samsung One UI 8.5 update: new AI features and revamped interface

Samsung has started rolling out the stable version of One UI 8.5 for Galaxy devices. Despite being an intermediate release, the update is surprisingly substantial. Instead of minor tweaks, users get several interface upgrades and new AI-powered features.

One of the biggest changes is the revamped quick settings panel. Users can now freely rearrange icons, remove unnecessary toggles, resize sliders, and switch between different display layouts. The interface is far more flexible than in One UI 8.0, where customization was quite limited.

The system's visual design has also seen updates. Several of Samsung's own apps now feature a floating tab bar — a compact interface element with a blur effect that floats away from the screen edges. This design already appears in the Phone, Gallery, and other Samsung apps.

Samsung continues to expand Galaxy AI. The Phone app now includes smart call screening: the system can automatically answer, ask the caller their purpose, and only hand the call over to you when necessary. Photo editing tools have also been improved, allowing you to revert to earlier versions of an edit and generate new image elements using text prompts.

Another notable addition is enhanced Quick Share support. In One UI 8.5, it now works with Apple's file sharing system, making it easier to transfer data between ecosystems.

The lock screen hasn't been neglected either. It can now automatically adjust wallpaper elements to fit around the clock and widgets, and it offers a live preview of weather effects during setup.

The rollout has begun for compatible Galaxy devices and will gradually expand to more models.