Table of Contents
Highlights
- Samsung One UI 8.5 Beta rolls out to Galaxy S25 users with stability fixes, security updates, and refined system performance.
- Direct Voicemail with live transcription lets users read messages in real time and pick up mid-call.
- Improvements to Bixby AI, UI design, gaming performance, and productivity tools are included.
- The beta rollout across multiple global regions signals progress toward the final 2026 release.
Samsung One UI 8.5 is shaping up to be one of the largest software program updates for Galaxy phones over the next year in 2026. This subsequent model of Samsung’s custom Android skin was initially revealed in leaks and beta tests; however, it has now been extensively rolled out to testers using the Galaxy S25 series.
It has a combination of new productivity and communication features in addition to AI-powered capabilities and improved functionality of the Galaxy S25 devices, which have undergone several beta updates leading up to their fourth beta release.
Current One UI 8.5 Beta Rollout: What is New?
Samsung has provided the Galaxy S25 series with its fourth beta version of One UI 8.5, the latest security patch being dated 5 February 2026.
The current beta release is primarily focused on fixing bugs and developing the software as opposed to adding visual features/changes. The beta addresses issues associated with the lock screen clock and Bluetooth calling, as well as numerous other minor/major stability issues identified by beta testers in previous versions.
What Big New Features Are in This Release? Direct Voicemail
One of the biggest new features added to One UI 8.5 is Direct Voicemail, which is similar to Apple’s Live Voicemail feature.
Here’s how Direct Voicemail works:
When someone calls you, and you don’t answer, your phone will route the caller to voicemail either automatically or manually.
- While the caller leaves a voicemail, your phone will show a live transcription on your phone – allowing you to read the voicemail message as it is being left.
- If you change your mind, you can pick up the call while the caller is still leaving a voicemail.
- This feature can be very beneficial in both personal and business communication.
Before I start my explanation, first, just to explain things, I will only rant about stuff that has changed since the beta testing started until now.
The updates the testers have gotten will also be listed, but not everything. There have been improvements to Samsung’s Bixby AI and user interface thanks to ONE UI 8.5 beta.
Changes have been made to Bixby functionality, including
- Bixby is going to be able to hold more contextual information about you and what you say, as opposed to having to learn from scratch every time.
- Bixby will have an AI engine integrated into it (updates from Perplexity AI) for better understanding of language, as well as for getting information from the web.
- Bixby will give more in-depth assistant features and offer better conversational responses through One UI changes.
It is believed that Bixby will provide more accurate, therefore more helpful and context-aware voice assistance than ever before with these improvements to the voice assistant.
UI, Productivity, and Gaming Enhancements
As previously stated, improvements have been made to the general look and compatibility of the One UI regarding communication and AI; here are some more improvements:
UI improvements across the board, as well as better widgets, better battery and performance tools, and a redesigned quick panel have all been mentioned numerous times during the beta phases.
The One UI 8.5 update will also include:
- New icons
- New ways to use the reachability feature
- Even better organization of your quick settings.
- Improved gaming features (Game Booster + with CPU/GPU limits) will enhance performance on those devices, depending on the device you are playing on.
Beta Availability and Regional Expansion
The One UI 8.5 beta program was originally closed to the S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra series of devices, but the updates have spread to testers throughout South Korea, India, Germany, and the United States, and different international locations.
Before the official global release of the Galaxy S25, Samsung typically expands the beta release to additional users who have registered via the Samsung Members application.
Final Thoughts
Samsung One UI 8.5 Beta is a big step forward on the way to a future major software update for the Galaxy smartphones. Based on an increased emphasis on the areas of functionality, communication, security, and artificial intelligence. This release will try to deliver a more refined Android experience prior to the upcoming launch of the Galaxy S26 in late 2026.
Two examples of new features within this release are Direct Voicemail and improved Bixby. These demonstrate how Samsung’s productivity features are shifting toward a more intelligent method of interaction with their smartphones.
Ongoing fixes and stability improvements also reinforce that Samsung is continuing to improve toward a polished final release. There likely will be several more beta updates released prior to the official public rollout and significant positive changes for Galaxy smartphone users in the not-too-distant future.
If you have a Galaxy S25 series smartphone and live within one of the supported regions, you are encouraged to sign up for the beta program and experience the changes firsthand.
