The first glimpses of Samsung’s upcoming One UI 8.5 software have surfaced, and they suggest that the company is preparing a notable refresh of its custom Android interface. While One UI 8 has only just begun its global rollout on the Galaxy S25 series, an early firmware build for One UI 8.5 targeting the Galaxy S25 Ultra has already been discovered. 
Thanks to some dedicated developers, the build has been successfully adapted to run on a Galaxy S21 Plus, giving us the very first real-world images of what’s to come.
At first glance, One UI 8.5 introduces several changes that lean toward cleaner visuals and more ergonomic interaction. The Settings menu is now more compact, with items listed without subtitles, streamlining the look. One of the most noticeable changes is the repositioning of the search bar: it now sits at the bottom of the screen, much closer to the thumb’s natural reach, which is a subtle but user-friendly tweak. Both the top and bottom edges of the interface carry a soft gradient effect, and containers – including the search bar – have been given drop shadows for a layered, modern appearance.
Diving deeper into the update, the search page reveals a three-column grid of categories, which makes navigation feel more organized and visually balanced. Inside any submenu of Settings, users will notice that the back button floats independently above the content, also styled with its own shadow. This design detail, along with elevated containers, gives the menus a sense of depth and separation, which some observers have noted resembles elements from Apple’s recently released iOS 26. It’s clear Samsung is experimenting with new design language that prioritizes both aesthetics and usability.
Despite this early showcase, users should not expect to see One UI 8.5 on their devices in the immediate future. Historically, Samsung has used its next flagship launch as the debut platform for incremental One UI updates, and it’s highly likely that One UI 8.5 will officially arrive with the Galaxy S26 series, projected for release in January. However, there remains a possibility that current Galaxy S25 owners could receive the update slightly ahead of that schedule, depending on Samsung’s internal rollout strategy.
The final list of features and visual changes remains uncertain, as this is still an early build, but one thing is clear: Samsung is signaling its commitment to keeping its software design fresh and competitive. The company’s past struggles with delayed updates – such as the One UI 7 rollout – appear to have taught valuable lessons. Even if Samsung doesn’t manage to achieve Apple’s reputation for near-simultaneous software releases across devices, a faster and more consistent release cycle would be a major step forward.
For now, these leaks serve as an exciting preview of Samsung’s evolving design philosophy. Borrowing inspiration from rivals while tailoring it to the unique One UI experience shows the brand’s awareness of market trends and user expectations. If Samsung can maintain momentum, One UI 8.5 could mark a turning point in how quickly and confidently the company brings fresh features to its vast user base.