Samsung begins to unveil the initial One UI 8 beta for the Galaxy S25 range of devices
One UI 8, Samsung's latest interface update, is based on Android 16 and introduces several key features and improvements focusing on AI capabilities, user experience (UX), and adaptation to Android 16's new design and functionality enhancements.
AI Capabilities
Galaxy AI enhancements will boost smart photo editing and other AI-powered functions aimed at making features more intuitive and competitive, especially on flagship devices like the S26 series with advanced Exynos and Snapdragon chips. Samsung's integration of AI extends to apps such as Samsung Internet, with AI-powered article and video summaries, natural language search, live interpreter, live call translation, transcribing and summarizing audio, generative editing, and AI noise reduction. On Galaxy Watch8, the built-in Google Gemini AI assists users with voice commands, task completion across apps, and quick access to information directly on the wrist.
UX Improvements
One UI 8 promises a smooth and snappy UI animations and interactions, offering a lag-free experience. Refined multitasking and split-screen modes, especially optimized for the latest foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, are also part of the update. A new "Navigation Picker" option during setup in One UI 8.5 will allow users to choose between swipe gesture or 3-button navigation styles for personalized user control. Enhanced home screen customization with new lock screen widgets, easier theme tweaks, and Material 3 expressive design elements from Android 16, offering more flexibility and personalization, are also included.
Features such as "Now Bar" for quick info glance, improved app drawer, task switcher, Edge panel improvements, and secure folder enhancements are also part of the update. Samsung's One UI 8 also brings a security and privacy dashboard with Knox-powered security boosts aligned with Android 16's post-theft lockdown and privacy advancements.
Adaptation to Android 16
One UI 8 fully adopts Android 16's updated system UI elements like revised status bar icons, new lock screen clock styles and fonts, and cleaner, more minimalist notification shades with expressive animations for smoother interactions. Potential separation of notification shade and quick settings into distinct panels to improve one-handed usage and refine notification management is also expected. Compatibility with Android 16's Material 3 updates enables Samsung to enhance theme expressiveness and lock screen widget dynamics with a fresh visual aesthetic.
In summary, Samsung One UI 8 aims to be a cutting-edge interface layered over Android 16 with significant AI integration for smarter functionalities, refined UX tuned for foldables and personalization, and seamless adaptation of Android 16's visual and security enhancements. The One UI 8.5 update is expected to further polish these features, especially for flagship models.
- Multitasking should be gaining notable improvements with enhanced display support and split screen functionality in One UI 8.
- Quick Share is expected to receive enhancements with the One UI 8 software update.
- One UI 8 promises major UX and AI updates, focusing on enhancing AI features on the Galaxy S25 series.
- The One UI 8 beta includes a feature to find files easily even if the user doesn't know the file name they are looking for.
- Samsung Internet is seeing a redesign to access features quickly with One UI 8.
Smartphones like the Galaxy S26 series will benefit from AI enhancements in One UI 8, including smart photo editing and other AI-powered functions, aiming to make features more intuitive and competitive. The update also introduces UX improvements, with the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 gaining notably improved multitasking and split-screen modes.
