So, when I heard that the Samsung One UI 8.5 update was coming, I thought it would be a minor update like One UI 8. But when I installed it on my Galaxy S25 Ultra, I was overjoyed! This update feels absolutely fresh and modern, and some of the features are so cool that you should try them. Let’s take a look, simply put, at what’s new in One UI 8.5 and why it’s so cool!
Samsung One UI 8.5:
Quick Settings: New Look, Great Vibe
First, let’s talk about the Quick Settings panel. It’s absolutely new! In the style of Android 16, you can resize each toggle – small, large, however you like. When you long-press on the brightness slider or any toggle, a smooth animation appears, which feels absolutely premium. You can also put the slider in vertical or horizontal mode. And yes, there’s a new blur effect on the panel background, with a gradient look at the end – absolutely awesome!
Lock Screen: A Little New, A Little Old
Some new clock styles have also appeared on the lock screen. But honestly, One UI 8’s dynamic lock screen clock looks a little cooler than these. These new styles are nice, but the old vibe still holds up. If you like customizing your lock screen, you’ll find some variety.
Animations: Smooth and Bouncy
There’s a new notification swiping animation – bouncy and fun! When you swipe a notification, it feels really smooth. The app opening animation has also changed a bit – it gives off a bit of an iOS 26 vibe, but Samsung’s own style is also in place. These little tweaks add to the fun of using the phone. Let us know in the comments. How do you like these animations?
Floating Bar: The Father of Quick Access
There’s a new floating bar feature that’s extremely minimalist and useful. Its look is much better than One UI 8. This bar also appears within the Gallery app and other Samsung apps, making it easy for quick access. This feature is quite handy in everyday use, especially when you need to open something quickly.
File Manager and Settings: Modern Touch
The File Manager icons are now rounded, which looks cleaner and more modern than before. The Settings app has also been slightly redesigned – the search bar is now at the bottom, making it easier to use. There’s a new option in the Battery section that lets you display the battery percentage with or without a background.
The Software Update page is also completely new – the version number is displayed against a beautiful gradient background, which is much better than the boring menu of the past.
Camera and Weather App: Same Old, Same Old
There aren’t any major changes to the Camera and Weather apps – they’re similar to One UI 8. If you were expecting something new, you might be a little disappointed. But both apps are quite smooth and reliable, so no worries.
Bugs: A Few Problems
This is an internal build right now, so there are a few bugs. For example, I noticed Korean language in a few places – probably due to the testing build. But this will be fixed in future builds. Subscribe for updates so you don’t miss the latest information!
| Speciality | Description |
|---|---|
| Software | One UI 8.5 (Android 16) |
| Main Changes | Quick Settings (resizable toggles, blur effect), new animations, floating bar, redesigned Settings |
| New Features | New lock screen clock styles, battery percentage customization, gradient Software Update page |
| Supported Devices | Galaxy S25 Ultra, and other select Samsung devices |
| Bugs | Minor bugs (e.g., Korean language in some sections) |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quick Settings panel completely modern, with resizable toggles and blur effect.
- Smooth and bouncy animations – swipe and app opening add fun.
- The new design of floating bar is handy for daily use.
- The File Manager and Settings have a fresh look, and the gradient Software Update page is impressive.
- One UI’s smooth experience improves with Android 16.
Cons:
- No new features in the Camera and Weather apps.
- The new clock styles on the lock screen are slightly less impressive than the old dynamic clock.
- Minor bugs in the internal build, such as Korean language text.
Conclusion
Samsung One UI 8.5 is a small but great update! Features like Quick Settings, animations, and the floating bar give the phone a completely fresh and premium feel. While the Camera and Weather apps don’t have anything new, and there are a few bugs, the overall experience is extremely smooth.
If you’re a Samsung fan and use the Galaxy S25 Ultra or another supported device, this update won’t disappoint. Let us know in the comments which feature of One UI 8.5 did you like the most?
