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Samsung’s Next Steps: One UI 8.5 for Galaxy S26 Series in Development
As Samsung continues to deploy One UI 7 across its range of devices, reports indicate that the company is already in the process of developing One UI 8.5, specifically for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. The expectation is that One UI 8 will be introduced later this year, followed by the release of version 8.5, which is set to replace the typical “.1” updates seen in previous launches.
Insights from SammyPolice have revealed references to One UI 8.5 within Samsung’s software code, implying that the company may be skipping version 8.1 entirely. It’s noteworthy that Samsung has not introduced a “.5” update since the release of One UI 2.5 in 2020.
Though this information remains speculative, it is anticipated that the Galaxy S26 series will debut with One UI 8.5. Additionally, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, rumored for release between July and August, are believed to feature One UI 8.0, which is based on Android 16.
Emerging reports suggest that One UI 8.5 may represent a significant redesign, incorporating enhanced visual elements along with improved AI functionalities. Tipster Ice Universe has indicated that Samsung appears to be aiming for alignment between its One UI releases and Google’s Android updates. This alignment would see One UI 8.0 launching with Android 16 for the Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, while One UI 8.5 would coincide with the launch of the S26 series.
Source
www.gsmarena.com