One UI 8.5 may integrate Android 16 QPR2 features for Galaxy S26

Samsung’s next big software update for its smartphones, One UI 8.5, is shaping up to be more than just a routine refresh. Scheduled to debut alongside the Galaxy S26 series early next year, the update is expected to absorb several of the improvements Google has introduced in Android 16’s latest quarterly release, known as QPR2.

Google recently rolled out the second beta of Android 16 QPR2, with the stable version set to arrive before the year ends. This new iteration is not just a technical patch; it brings noticeable user-facing changes, enhanced security measures, and performance optimizations that could trickle down into Samsung’s ecosystem.

Historically, Samsung adapts many of Google’s improvements but fine-tunes them with its own design language, making One UI a unique blend of Android and Samsung-specific features.

What Android 16 QPR2 brings to the table

The QPR2 beta comes with features that enhance both usability and system efficiency. Among the highlights are:

• Health Connect upgrades: Google’s unified platform for fitness and wellness data gains new capabilities, making it easier for apps to securely share health metrics across services.
• SMS OTP hijacking protection: With online fraud and phishing scams still widespread, Android 16 QPR2 introduces stricter safeguards against malicious apps trying to intercept one-time passwords sent via SMS.
• Improved garbage collection: This update enhances how Android manages unused memory, potentially making devices smoother and more responsive during everyday use.

There are also visual customization tweaks, such as app icon shape customization, though it’s uncertain whether Samsung will adopt this feature in One UI 8.5. Samsung has historically provided its own icon styling tools, and it may either merge or skip this addition depending on its vision for design uniformity.

One UI 8.5: blending Samsung’s vision with Google’s foundation

Samsung’s One UI has become a cornerstone of the Galaxy experience, balancing accessibility, performance, and custom design flourishes. With One UI 8.5, Samsung is likely to build on Android 16 QPR2’s core improvements, adding its own touches for Galaxy users. Features like enhanced security and smarter health tracking would align well with Samsung’s ecosystem, particularly as the company continues to push deeper into wearables and wellness integration through the Galaxy Watch series.

While cosmetic updates like customizable icon shapes may be debated, the practical changes – stronger OTP protection, better memory management, and health data integration – are almost certain to appear in Samsung’s adaptation. If history is any guide, Galaxy S26 buyers can expect a software package that feels refined, polished, and tuned for Samsung’s hardware, while still benefiting from Google’s broader Android innovations.

In short, Android 16 QPR2 lays the groundwork, but One UI 8.5 could be where these features shine for millions of Samsung users. The real test will be in how seamlessly Samsung integrates these updates without overcomplicating or slowing down the user experience.