Samsung appears to be taking a proactive approach to its software development cycle, with reports indicating the company is already working on One UI 8.5 for its upcoming Galaxy S26 series. This strategic move comes as the tech giant is still in the process of rolling out One UI 7 to its current lineup of devices, suggesting a significant shift in Samsung's software update strategy.
Early Development Signals
According to reports from SammyPolice, references to One UI 8.5 have been discovered in Samsung's software system code. This is particularly noteworthy as Samsung hasn't released a .5 version update since One UI 2.5 back in 2020, instead opting for .1 or .1.1 intermediate updates in recent years. The early development of One UI 8.5 suggests Samsung is working to avoid the delays that have plagued the One UI 7 rollout, which has been described as painfully slow and frustrating for users.
Notable Changes in Samsung's Update Strategy
- Skipping the traditional ".1" update format
- First ".5" update since One UI 2.5 in 2020
- Early development to avoid delays experienced with One UI 7
Release Timeline Strategy
The emerging pattern indicates that Samsung is restructuring its software release schedule. One UI 8.0, based on Android 16, is expected to debut in the second half of 2025 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 foldable devices. Following this, One UI 8.5 would launch with the Galaxy S26 series, likely in early 2026. This approach would effectively mean Samsung is skipping what would traditionally have been One UI 8.1, moving directly to the more substantial 8.5 version.
One UI Version Timeline
- One UI 7: Currently rolling out (based on Android 15)
- One UI 8.0: Expected H2 2025 with Galaxy Z Fold7/Z Flip7 (based on Android 16)
- One UI 8.5: Expected early 2026 with Galaxy S26 series (based on Android 16)
Alignment with Google's Android Releases
Industry insider Ice Universe has speculated that Samsung's revised update strategy aims to better align its One UI releases with Google's Android release cycle. This synchronization could potentially streamline the development process and reduce the lag time between Google's Android updates and Samsung's customized versions reaching consumers.
Expected Features and Improvements
While specific details remain scarce, reports suggest that One UI 8.5 could introduce a major overhaul with an updated visual identity and significantly enhanced AI features. The .5 designation historically indicates more substantial changes compared to the incremental .1 updates, pointing to potentially significant improvements. The Galaxy S26 Ultra model may receive exclusive features not available on other devices in the series.
Learning from Past Delays
Samsung's accelerated development timeline for One UI 8.5 appears to be a direct response to the challenges faced with One UI 7. By beginning work on future updates earlier, the company seems determined to provide a smoother experience for users going forward. The company reportedly completed significant foundational work during One UI 7's development, which should theoretically allow for faster development of One UI 8.0 and subsequent versions.
Strategic Importance
This proactive approach to software development highlights the growing importance of software experiences in the smartphone market. As hardware innovations become increasingly incremental, manufacturers like Samsung are placing greater emphasis on software features and performance to differentiate their products and maintain customer satisfaction.