Samsung’s upcoming software update, One UI 8.5, is beginning to take shape – and if the latest leaks are anything to go by, it could mark one of the most polished refinements to Samsung’s interface in years. Whispers about One UI 8.5 have circulated since April, but excitement escalated when an early build designed for the Galaxy S25 Ultra unexpectedly surfaced on Samsung’s own servers. 
This discovery gave developers the chance to tinker, and one particularly resourceful developer managed to port the firmware to a Galaxy S21+, giving us an early glimpse into Samsung’s next big software step.
From what we’ve seen so far, One UI 8.5 introduces subtle but meaningful design tweaks rather than a complete overhaul. The Settings app, for instance, has been streamlined with more compact entries, now without subtitles, to reduce clutter. Samsung has also shifted the search bar to the bottom of the screen – a move that makes it far more thumb-friendly, particularly for large-screen devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. There are noticeable cosmetic flourishes too, such as overflow gradients at the top and bottom edges and soft drop shadows under containers and the search bar, giving the interface a layered, elevated feel.
Search functionality has also evolved. Instead of a long vertical list, categories now appear in a clean three-column grid, which feels more organized and reminiscent of productivity-first UI design. Once you dive into a submenu, scrolling reveals a floating back button that hovers above content with its own drop shadow. This is a design language Samsung seems to have borrowed, at least partially, from Apple’s latest iOS iterations. Combined with the shadowed containers and gradient effects, the menus now project a sense of depth, as though floating above the digital canvas.
While it’s still early days, the consensus is clear: One UI 8.5 is about refinement, accessibility, and polish. If rumors hold true, Samsung will debut this version officially in January alongside the Galaxy S26 series, giving the flagship phones a fresh interface out of the box. Between now and then, enthusiasts can expect more leaks, hands-on previews, and comparisons with previous builds – all of which will reveal whether these design adjustments are simply aesthetic or if Samsung has hidden deeper system-level upgrades under the hood.
For those considering the Galaxy S25 Ultra right now, pricing starts around €890 (£768) for the 256GB model with 12GB of RAM, while the 512GB variant costs close to €999.98 (£818.99). It’s a reminder that Samsung’s ecosystem moves fast, with hardware and software marching in lockstep, each generation preparing the ground for the next.