New Delhi: Samsung has recently officially announced its One UI 8.5 beta program, by offering select Galaxy users access to the next major software update. The latest version focuses on expanded on-device AI tools, improved privacy options and system-level refinements. The beta rollout begins in phases, starting with the recent Galaxy S-series and foldable models in the supported regions. The One UI 8.5 beta expands Samsung’s on-device AI capabilities with the upgraded processing for text, images and voice tasks. Users get an enhanced transcription, summarisation and translation through native applications, along with improved performance for Galaxy AI features, which comes earlier in the year.
Samsung Notes, Gallery and the keyboard application now support more automation and context-based suggestions designed to reduce dependency on cloud processing. Camera features also get updated AI-based tools, including refined scene detection and improved post-processing. The beta adds system-wide enhancements for AI-powered search, offering faster results across settings, applications, and documents. Samsung has added more granular controls under the privacy dashboard. The beta comes with more straightforward permission prompts, expanded access logs for applications and the latest options for restricting background data usage.
Users can now see which applications are accessing the location, camera or microphone inputs in real-time. A latest on-device processing toggle enables specific AI features to work without sending data externally, aligning with the Samsung push toward local AI. The update also brings a redesigned security patch to the module to simplify updates delivered outside primary firmware cycles. The beta includes changes across the system stability, animations and multitasking. Samsung has refined split-screen handling, improved continuity between phone and tablet modes and added the latest customisation tools for the lock screen and quick settings. The company also stated that the beta will expand to more markets and devices over the coming weeks. The stable One UI 8.5 rollout is expected after testing concludes, depending on feedback from participating users.
