Samsung One UI 8: Full Breakdown of Features, Release, and Eligible Devices

Samsung has officially lifted the curtain on One UI 8.0, the latest iteration of its custom Android interface. While some may have expected another sweeping overhaul after the visual revamp in One UI 7, Samsung has taken a more incremental route this time. Based on Android 16, One UI 8 is less about flashy transformations and more about polish, refinement, and extending newer flagship capabilities to older devices.

Design and Visual Adjustments

One UI 7 had already introduced a bold redesign with revamped layouts, smoother transitions, and refreshed widgets. For One UI 8, Samsung has largely kept that foundation intact. Instead of reinventing the look, the company has opted for subtle refinements. Early testers running the beta on the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 reported that the overall aesthetic feels nearly identical to the previous version.

However, a closer look reveals a few small but meaningful tweaks. Samsung apps now use encircled action buttons in menus, giving pop-out options in Gallery and other apps a more consistent visual identity. A new blur effect for background layers also makes multitasking smoother and visually clearer, especially when multiple windows or apps overlap. These refinements aren’t groundbreaking, but they highlight Samsung’s effort to fine-tune the user experience rather than overhaul it yet again.

Feature Set: Subtle but Practical

Android 16 itself doesn’t introduce a long list of headline features. Instead, it focuses on under-the-hood improvements like better memory management, enhanced security layers, and performance tuning. Samsung has followed this philosophy, bringing over some carefully selected features from its flagship Galaxy S25 series and expanding their reach across its broader ecosystem.

One highlight is the integration of Now Brief, an AI-powered assistant that learns daily routines to provide contextual reminders and proactive suggestions. For example, it can recommend enabling Do Not Disturb when you usually go to bed, offer quick navigation prompts for your morning commute, or suggest apps you frequently use at certain times of day.

Other features migrating from newer models include the log video recording tool, which made its debut on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and is now available on foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6. The tool provides metadata-rich video logs for creators who need advanced video organization and editing capabilities.

Samsung’s official changelog, published on May 28, 2025, confirms several more practical upgrades: an easier Quick Share process for transferring files across Galaxy devices, a redesigned Samsung Internet browser with streamlined menus, enhanced multi-display support in Samsung DeX, and smarter Calendar and Reminders integration to better sync tasks across apps.

Release Timeline

One of the most surprising aspects of One UI 8 is how early it arrived. Samsung historically rolled out new major versions in late Q4, but this time the schedule was accelerated. Thanks to Google’s quicker Android 16 rollout, Samsung launched the One UI 8 beta program for the Galaxy S25 series as early as May 2025. This marked the fastest beta start in the company’s history.

The rollout timeline expanded quickly: the Galaxy S24 family and the Z Fold 6/Flip 6 gained access in mid-August, followed by the Galaxy S23, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, and select mid-rangers like the Galaxy A55, A54, A36, and A35 in early September. Samsung has clarified that no additional Galaxy smartphones or tablets will join the beta, so users outside of these models will need to wait for the stable version.

Eligible Devices

Samsung continues its strong software support policy, promising at least three major Android OS upgrades for most devices launched in recent years. This means that flagship Galaxy phones from 2022 onward, as well as most mid-range and budget phones from 2023 onward, will be eligible for One UI 8.0.

The eligible lineup includes the full Galaxy S25 family (S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, and S25 Edge), along with the S24 and S23 generations. Even the Galaxy S22 series and the S21 FE are included. On the foldable side, every device from the Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 onward is covered, with additional support for special editions and the Z Fold 6/Flip 6 series. The Galaxy A lineup stretches from the premium A73 down to the entry-level A06 and A17. Tablets such as the Galaxy Tab S10 range, Tab S9 variants, and the Tab S8 family are supported as well. Samsung’s Galaxy F and M series mid-rangers, plus rugged devices like the Galaxy XCover 6 Pro and XCover 7 Pro, round out the compatibility list.

Why One UI 8 Matters

Although One UI 8 doesn’t bring a sweeping redesign, it signals Samsung’s continued focus on consistency, longevity, and cross-device integration. Instead of overwhelming users with a brand-new interface every year, Samsung now alternates between major design leaps and smaller polishing updates. This approach keeps devices stable, extends flagship-exclusive features to a wider audience, and ensures that mid-range owners don’t feel left behind.

For power users, the improvements in Samsung DeX and the upgraded browser might stand out the most, while average users will likely benefit more from smarter file sharing and AI-driven suggestions. The inclusion of older models like the Galaxy S22 series shows that Samsung’s update policy remains one of the strongest in the Android ecosystem, rivaling even Google’s Pixel lineup.

Final Thoughts

One UI 8.0 may not be revolutionary, but it doesn’t need to be. With Android 16 offering mostly subtle system improvements, Samsung’s job here is to refine, stabilize, and make the user experience smoother across its huge product catalog. If you own a Galaxy flagship from the past three years, a recent mid-ranger, or one of Samsung’s newer tablets, chances are you’ll be able to enjoy One UI 8 in the months ahead. And while you shouldn’t expect jaw-dropping new features, the improved fluidity, extended flagship tools, and AI integration make this a worthwhile update that underscores Samsung’s commitment to long-term software support.