Samsung reveals One UI 8.5 with automatic dark icons to improve night mode By Luís Henrique Costa
4 min read
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Samsung One UI 8.5, based on Android 16, is in an advanced phase of internal testing, promising to resolve one of the main user complaints about the dark mode experience on Galaxy devices. The update aims to introduce long-awaited visual consistency, especially in the app icon interface.
The company’s engineers focus their efforts on developing mechanisms that automatically adapt icon backgrounds to dark tones. Essa initiative seeks to eliminate the visual contrast generated by clear icons that persist even with the night theme activated, a point raised by online communities over the years.
The One UI 8.5 public beta program is expected to launch in December 2025, starting with specific markets. The expectation is that this new version will bring significant improvements to the aesthetic harmony of the home screen and the system as a whole.
Visual improvement in application icons
One UI 8.5 will bring a notable innovation by introducing subtle 3D shadows for icons. The Essa feature will be visible in both light and dark mode, providing a perception of depth that moves away from the flatter design of previous versions of the interface.
Preliminary tests indicate that the feature will be activated automatically along with dark mode. Isso will ensure that native app icons like Galeria and Configurações adapt their visuals cohesively, while Samsung works to refine the impact on device performance.
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
Testing and release schedule
The One UI 8.5 beta program is scheduled to begin on December 8, 2025, with initial availability in countries such as Coreia, Sul, Alemanha and Reino Unido. Selected Usuários will have the opportunity to participate, providing valuable feedback on bugs and possible optimizations before the final release.
A second expansion phase is planned for December 22, 2025, including Índia and Polônia. The gradual release strategy allows Samsung to collect comprehensive stability data, aiming for a stable release that coincides with the introduction of the Galaxy S26 lineup in early 2026.
Historic demand for uniformity in dark mode
The search for a fully integrated and uniform dark mode experience has been a constant demand from Samsung users since the launch of One UI 2 in 2020. The pressure increased after Apple implemented the complete adaptation of icons in iOS 18 in 2024, raising expectations for Android competitors to offer similar solutions. Samsung had tried to fill this gap with modules like Good Lock, but the need for a native and automatic solution persisted.
Additional optimizations and features
In addition to dark mode improvements, One UI 8.5 introduces other optimizations and features that enhance the overall user experience.
Impact on battery and alignment with trends
Owners of recent devices such as the Galaxy S24 and S25 often note that the current dark mode contributes to up to 20% battery savings on AMOLED screens. Contudo, the presence of clear icons ends up canceling out part of this benefit, requiring additional brightness to compensate for the contrast.
One UI 8.5 seeks to correct this flaw with the forced adaptation of icons, ensuring that the energy saving potential is fully exploited. The Essa measure also aligns the Samsung with the Google guidelines, which encourage and, in some cases, force developers to offer themed icons.
The expectation is that visual uniformity will not only improve aesthetics, but also optimize energy consumption, providing a more efficient and pleasant experience for users in different lighting conditions.
Expectations for device compatibility
The One UI 8.5 update will initially be made available for the high-end models of the Samsung, such as the Galaxy S25 and the Z Fold 6. Expansion to other mid-range devices will occur in subsequent phases, reaching a wider audience.
Current estimates suggest that more than 50 Galaxy smartphone and tablet models launched from 2022 onwards should receive the new version of the interface. Essa scope demonstrates the company’s commitment to bringing improvements to a wide range of users.
Engineers at Samsung confirm that improving dark mode does not require specific additional hardware, which means that older devices and devices from different segments will be able to benefit from the visual and functional new features.
Full adoption of dark icon functionality will also depend on updates from third-party app developers. However, the native base of Samsung will already guarantee immediate coverage for approximately 80% of cases.
