Futura One UI 8.5 has expanded internal testing for Galaxy Tab S10, S9 and FE version tablets
Samsung has intensified development of its next major software update, One UI 8.5, based on Android 16. Novas test builds have been identified on the company’s internal servers, covering a growing range of Galaxy tablets. Essa movement signals that preparation for the launch, scheduled for 2026, is at an advanced stage, focusing on optimization for large-screen devices.
Current testing is restricted to engineering teams and is not part of a public beta program for tablets. Samsung’s strategy is to refine the system internally to ensure maximum stability before mass distribution. The expectation is that owners of eligible tablets will receive the final version directly, without going through a testing phase open to consumers.
Expanding testing to multiple models, including the latest and most popular Fan Edition versions, demonstrates the company’s commitment to keeping its tablet portfolio up to date with the latest software and security features.
Devices included in the testing phase
The list of devices that receive test builds of One UI 8.5 has been expanded, confirming the inclusion of the brand’s main tablet lines. Activity on the Samsung servers reveals specific firmware for the Galaxy Tab S10 and Galaxy Tab S9 series, covering all their variants.
Among the confirmed models are the Galaxy Tab S10, S10 Plus and S10 Ultra, in addition to the entire previous family, which includes the Tab S9, S9 Plus and S9 Samsung also ensured that the Fan Edition versions, such as the Tab S10 FE and the Tab S9 FE, are participating in this phase, ensuring that the optimizations also reach the most cost-effective devices.
What to expect from the new One UI 8.5
One UI 8.5 promises to bring significant refinements to the user experience, with a special focus on productivity and multitasking. Improvements to multi-window mode should allow for more flexible and intuitive screen division, making it easier to work with multiple applications simultaneously.
Users of the S Pen can also expect new features, with improvements in sensitivity and new software features that take advantage of the stylus pen. Integration with the Galaxy ecosystem will be another strong point, with more fluid and faster connections between tablets, smartphones, notebooks and other brand devices.
Performance optimizations are crucial to ensure that the interface works quickly and responsively, even in demanding tasks. Battery management and system security, inherited from Android 16, will also receive special attention to protect user data.
Testing strategy and beta program
Unlike its line of high-end smartphones, Samsung takes a more cautious approach to updating tablets. The One UI 8.5 public beta program remains exclusive to the Galaxy S25 series of phones, available only in select markets such as Coreia, Sul, Estados Unidos and some European countries.
This strategic distinction allows the company to collect feedback on new features in a more controlled environment focused on the smartphone format. Para tablets, the internal testing phase is longer and more rigorous, as adaptations for larger screens require additional polishing.
The absence of a public beta for the Galaxy tablets means that users must wait for the stable version to be released. Essa practice prevents the general public from encountering instabilities that could compromise the user experience on devices frequently used for work and study.
Therefore, identifying new internal builds is the main indicator of development progress. The frequency with which these updates appear suggests that the schedule is being met, in line with the launch forecast for next year.
Artificial intelligence adaptations for larger screens
The new update should deepen the integration of Galaxy AI features, adapting them to the tablet format. Ferramentas artificial intelligence such as writing assistants, simultaneous translation and generative image editing will be optimized to take advantage of the additional screen space. Isso can result in more complete AI interfaces with more visible controls, allowing for more precise editing and a more efficient workflow compared to smartphones. Funções like Samsung Notes text summarization and audio transcription will be able to display more information simultaneously, improving productivity.
In addition to refining existing features, One UI 8.5 may introduce new AI capabilities aimed specifically at tablet use. Artificial intelligence will be able, for example, to more intelligently manage DeX mode, suggesting window layouts based on the applications in use or automating repetitive tasks. The synergy between S Pen and AI should also be improved, making it possible to create drawings from text commands or organize handwritten notes in a more contextual and intelligent way, solidifying the tablet as a powerful tool for creativity and work.
Security and privacy in the new system
Building on Android 16, One UI 8.5 will bring a robust suite of security and privacy improvements, strengthening the Knox platform from Samsung. Espera introduced more granular permission controls, giving the user even greater decision-making power over what data each application can access. The privacy dashboard should be improved with more detailed reports on microphone, camera and location usage, as well as proactive alerts against apps behaving suspiciously. Protection against malware and phishing will be strengthened with new layers of real-time scanning for both installed applications and web browsing. The Samsung also typically implements security features at the hardware level, and the new version should continue this tradition, ensuring that data is protected from the chip to the user interface, making the tablet’s digital environment safer for financial transactions, private communication and storage of sensitive information.
Distribution schedule and expectations
The official timeline indicates that the stable version of One UI 8.5 will first be released with the Galaxy S26 series of smartphones in early 2026. After the initial release, the update will begin rolling out in phases to eligible devices, with high-end tablets being first in line to receive the new software.
