Samsung advances internal testing of One UI 8.5, an update based on Android 16 that addresses recurring complaints about dark mode. The company plans to launch the public beta program in December, starting in select markets. Usuários of Galaxy devices await improvements that promote visual consistency across the interface.
The main focus is on application icons, which often maintain light tones even with the night theme activated. Engenheiros from Samsung test mechanisms to change icon backgrounds to black automatically, increasing adoption of dark mode. Essa change comes after years of feedback from online communities, where smartphone owners highlight the lack of harmony on the home screen.
- Main dark mode adjustments: Fundos of icons darken in compatible apps, reducing excessive contrast.
- 3D shadows: Aplicadas in both themes, add depth without overloading processing.
- Initial support: Limitado for Samsung applications, with expansion planned for third parties.
Visual changes to icons
One UI 8.5 introduces subtle 3D shadows for icons, visible in both light and dark mode. Essa change creates the illusion of depth, differentiating itself from the flat design of previous versions.
Initial tests show that the feature activates when activating dark mode, forcing adaptation in app icons such as Galeria and Configurações. Desenvolvedores further refines the impact on performance, ensuring fluidity on medium and high performance devices.
Samsung is finally working on dark app icons in One UI 8.5. Some apps are changing their background to black when dark mode is enabled. The icons have a 3D shadow in both light and dark modes. I will share the .png files of all the new icons, as many of them are yet undiscovered. pic.twitter.com/Y4lXWdFG7L
— Galaxy Techie (@GalaxyTechie) November 26, 2025
Public beta schedule
The beta program for One UI 8.5 starts on December 8th on Coreia of Sul, Alemanha and Reino Unido. Selected Participantes will receive initial builds to report bugs and suggest optimizations.
In the second phase, starting December 22, the test expands to Índia and Polônia. The Samsung adopts a gradual rollout to collect stability data before the final version, scheduled for the launch of the Galaxy S26 line in early 2026.
History of dark mode demands
Users have been pushing for uniformity in the dark theme since One UI 2, released in 2020. Fóruns records thousands of posts annually about icons that break the nighttime aesthetic, especially in low light conditions.
Apple influenced the debate by implementing full icon adaptation in iOS 18, in 2024, which raised expectations for Android competitors. Samsung responded with modules like Good Lock, but manual solutions don’t meet the demand for native automation.
Galaxy S24 and S25 owners report that the current dark mode saves up to 20% battery life on AMOLED screens, but bright icons waste this benefit by forcing extra brightness. One UI 8.5 aims to fix this with forced adaptation, aligning with Google policies that force developers to provide themed icons.
Other new features in the update
In addition to dark mode, One UI 8.5 brings optimizations to Galeria, with AI-assisted editing for object removal. The quick settings panel gains modular customization, allowing buttons to be rearranged by frequency of use.
- Enhanced gallery: Presets camera pros shareable across devices.
- Battery Saving: Optimized network Modo reduces background activity by 15%.
- Integrated search: Search Barra repositioned at the bottom for one-way access.
These features tested in internal builds promise more fluid integration with the Galaxy ecosystem. Samsung prioritizes feedback from beta testers for final adjustments, avoiding delays in the global schedule.
Expectations for supported devices
The update starts on flagships such as the Galaxy S25 and Z Fold 6, expanding to mid-range models in subsequent phases. Estimativas indicate support for 50+ devices released since 2022.
Engineers confirm that the improved dark mode does not require extra hardware, benefiting older devices. Full adoption depends on updates from third-party apps, but Samsung’s native base guarantees immediate coverage in 80% of cases.
