The South Korean technology giant has made its strategy official for the next generation of mobile software, establishing new levels of usability and systems integration. The update brings the One UI 8.5 interface, developed on the Android 16 architecture, with the aim of ensuring greater stability and advanced artificial intelligence features for the brand’s ecosystem.
The distribution process will take place via OTA (Over-The-Air), allowing users to download and install the package automatically as soon as the notification appears on the device’s screen. The company emphasizes that it will not be necessary to use cables or computers for the migration, facilitating access to new security and productivity tools.
کنترل پنل One UI 8.5 😍pic.twitter.com/6iONkkIwOU
– CID (@theonecid)6 marek 2026
Due to the new version’s requirements regarding neural and graphics processing, support has been limited to newer hardware. Isso ends the cycle of major updates for models prior to the Galaxy S21 family, with the exception of the Fan Edition versions, aiming to preserve the user experience on chipsets that do not support the new computational demands.
Priority for line Galaxy S
Premium category smartphones continue to be the priority in the development schedule, receiving software innovations before other lines. The new interface has been optimized to extract the maximum potential from high-end processors, resulting in significant improvements in image processing and the execution of complex tasks.
The compatibility list covers both the latest releases and previous generation devices that still maintain high performance. The models confirmed to receive the system are:
– Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge and S25 FE
– Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, S24 Ultra and S24 FE
– Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra and S23 FE
– Galaxy S22, S22 Plus and S22 Ultra
– Galaxy S21 FE
New in the Z series and foldables
The flexible screen segment received special attention from engineers in One UI 8.5, with specific adjustments for screen transitions and multitasking. The system improves floating window management and introduces new functions in “Flex Mode”, automatically adapting content according to the device’s angle, providing a more responsive interface for the hybrid format.
The list of eligible foldable devices includes:
– Galaxy Z Fold 7, Fold 6, Fold 5 and Fold 4
– Galaxy Z Flip 7, Flip 7 FE, Flip 6 and Flip 5
Expansion to line Galaxy A
The intermediate series, responsible for a large part of the manufacturer’s sales volume, was also widely included in the update plan. The focus for these devices is to optimize RAM memory consumption and reduce latency, democratizing access to modern resources without compromising battery life.
Although the release may occur in a second phase after the premium models, the list of devices covered is extensive and spans several generations:
– Galaxy A56, A55, A54 and A53
– Galaxy A36, A35, A34 and A33
– Galaxy A26 and A25
– Galaxy A17, A17 5G, A16, A16 5G, A15 and A15 5G
Tablets and Rugged Devices
In the segment of tablets and equipment aimed at corporate use, the update focuses on productivity and integration with other devices, such as notebooks and smartphones. The new version of the system refines split-screen mode and improves the response of smart pens, transforming tablets into more efficient workstations.
Devices in the resistant line will also receive the Android 16 to maintain compliance with industrial safety protocols. The models listed are:
– Galaxy Tab S11 and S11
– Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, S10 Ultra, S10 FE and S10 FE Plus
– Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, S9 Ultra, S9 FE and S9 FE Plus
– Galaxy Tab S8, S8 Plus and S8 Ultra
– Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024 version)
– Galaxy Tab A11, A11 Plus, A9 and A9 Plus
– Galaxy Tab Active 5 and Active 5 Pro
– Galaxy XCover 7, XCover 7 Pro and XCover 6 Pro
Privacy and visual optimizations
One UI 8.5 introduces an improved privacy dashboard, providing users with detailed reports on app access to sensitive features such as the camera and microphone. The security system was reinforced with new biometric authentication requirements for critical changes, making malicious actions more difficult in the event of theft or loss of the device.
The animations have been rewritten in terms of graphics and performance to ensure greater fluidity in navigation. Power management now uses machine learning algorithms to identify usage patterns and intelligently suspend background processes to extend charge duration on all supported models.
