Samsung’s big One UI 8.5 update is rolling out now

Samsung has started rolling out One UI 8.5, and it’s a pretty big one.

The update is landing on more than 40 Galaxy smartphones and tablets. It brings a refreshed interface and a new wave of AI features to devices that, in some cases, are years old.

The rollout began in Korea today, with other regions expected to follow from mid-May. As usual with Samsung updates, it won’t arrive everywhere at once. Even though the list of supported devices is already extensive, some users will still have to wait.

At the front of the queue are Samsung’s newest flagships, including the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra, along with the Galaxy S25 FE and S25 Edge. But the update doesn’t stop there; Samsung is also pushing One UI 8.5 to older generations like the Galaxy S24 and S23 series. This includes their Ultra and FE models.

SQUIRREL_PLAYLIST_10206388

Foldables are included too, with support for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 through Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 through Flip 7. Additionally, a wide range of tablets including the Galaxy Tab S9, S10, and S11 series will be supported. Even mid-range and entry-level devices like the Galaxy A05 are on the list.

That breadth is the main story here. Rather than limiting new software to premium devices, Samsung is once again pushing its latest One UI version across almost its entire ecosystem.

So what’s actually new? One UI 8.5 brings a visual refresh in parts of the interface, including updated menus and navigation elements. But the bigger focus is AI. Samsung is expanding tools like Photo Assist, which helps refine and adjust AI-generated images, alongside improvements to its Bixby assistant, which is becoming more context-aware and responsive.

It’s not a radical redesign, but it does continue Samsung’s steady shift toward AI-driven features across both hardware tiers and older devices.

As with most major Android updates, availability will vary depending on region and model. It may take months before every eligible Galaxy device receives it. Still, for a rollout that includes everything from flagship phones to budget A-series models, this is one of Samsung’s broader software updates in recent memory. In effect, it is a free upgrade sitting in the settings menu for millions of users.