Samsung One UI 8.5 Could Let You Pick Your Own AI Assistant

Samsung’s upcoming One UI 8.5 update is shaping up to be more than just a routine software polish. While One UI 8 has only recently begun rolling out globally, leaks from early builds of 8.5 suggest Samsung is preparing a far more ambitious expansion of its Galaxy ecosystem – with AI taking center stage.

What’s catching the most attention is the possibility of letting users decide which AI agent they want embedded in their home screen, potentially replacing the default Google Search bar with a more flexible, conversational assistant.

According to a teardown by Android Authority, Samsung is working on something referred to as AI Agents inside the One UI 8.5 launcher. The code suggests that these agents will be designed to answer user questions with short, clear responses – no rambling, no links to sift through. This system seems to be internally named Finder AI, though that might just be a placeholder. What matters more is how it works: instead of redirecting users to external web results, the AI will condense information into answers no longer than three sentences, written in a friendly and direct style.

The really intriguing part is that Samsung may allow users to pick their preferred AI provider. References show that Google’s Gemini, Samsung’s own Gauss (the model behind Galaxy AI), and even third-party contenders like Perplexity could be selectable. If this holds true, Samsung would be making a rare move in mobile ecosystems – opening the door to multiple AI players where rivals like Apple and Google tend to lock users into their own services. For example, Google’s Pixel 10 will likely stick to Gemini, and Apple’s iPhone 17 is expected to double down on Apple Intelligence, but neither company appears inclined to give users that kind of choice.

For years, smartphone users have asked assistants simple questions only to be met with unsatisfying results. Apple’s Siri has long frustrated people with responses like “Here’s what I found on the web,” instead of giving actual answers. Even the big Apple Intelligence push hasn’t fully fixed that problem. By contrast, Samsung’s planned AI answers could leapfrog ahead, especially if it becomes part of the Galaxy S26 lineup. Imagine pulling down your home screen and instantly asking about a movie release, a translation, or quick travel advice – and getting a concise answer without ever opening a browser.

Critics note that One UI 8 still has unresolved bugs and UI quirks, but Samsung’s decision to prioritize AI in 8.5 suggests it wants to cement its reputation as the phone maker most willing to experiment with artificial intelligence on mobile. It’s also a strategic response to the broader industry: while Apple refines its ecosystem slowly and Google doubles down on its own vertical stack, Samsung is carving out a middle ground that blends flexibility with innovation. Whether this move will win over iPhone loyalists is uncertain, but it undeniably raises the bar for what users can expect from an assistant baked into their devices.

At this point, the only questions left are when Samsung will confirm these AI options and how far the integration will go. Will AI agents eventually manage reminders, emails, or app shortcuts? Or will they remain lightweight helpers focused solely on Q&A? Whatever the final form, One UI 8.5 is already shaping up to be one of the boldest updates Samsung has attempted in years – not just a bugfix, but a rethinking of how smartphones interact with people in everyday life.