Samsung initiates One UI 8 beta testing on Galaxy S25 series, unveiling fresh features; learn how to participate today.

Samsung initiates One UI 8 beta testing on Galaxy S25 series, unveiling fresh features; learn how to participate today.

Samsung's upcoming One UI 8 software, slated to debut alongside the anticipated Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 foldables this summer, is already available for beta testing on the Galaxy S25 series.

Unveiled ahead of Google I/O, One UI 8 promises an era of heightened software intelligence, driven by a multimodal AI agent that anticipates user needs and adapts to routines. Samsung has expedited the development of One UI 8 to render it one of the first platforms to be built on Android 16.

The multimodal AI agent enhances communication by offering personalized, proactive suggestions based on user activity. Samsung's Now Bar and Now Brief, which debuted earlier this year with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, are expected to deliver more customized insights with the introduction of One UI 8.

A key feature of One UI 8 is the new Reminders app, aimed at facilitating travel and vacation planning. Users will be able to manage reminders and to-do lists effortlessly within an intuitive interface. While the extent of the Reminders app's capabilities remains uncertain, Samsung hints at artificial intelligence agents to help plan trips and devise itineraries.

One UI 8 also brings Auracast, a broadcast audio technology that allows for sharing audio streams across multiple devices through a QR code. Currently, the supported list of Auracast receiver devices consists of Samsung's Galaxy earbuds—the Buds 3, Buds 3 Pro, and Buds 2 Pro. The compatibility of other headphones, such as models from JBL and Sennheiser, is yet to be clarified.

To partake in the One UI 8 beta program, users need to sign up through the Samsung Members app on their Galaxy S25 device. The program is currently accessible in Germany, Korea, the UK, and the US, with eligible devices receiving a notification or an option to enroll in the beta program.

The One UI 8 update introduces numerous improvements across the board, including optimizing the AI Select tool for quicker response times and enabling screen selection for smart actions. Moreover, core Samsung apps like Samsung Health, Calendar, Contacts, and Routines receive UI and feature enhancements. The update also addresses accessibility concerns by adding options for users with sight and hearing impairments.

The new Reminders app in One UI 8, scheduled to be introduced with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, is anticipated to assist with Travel and vacation planning, with AI agents helping to plan trips and devise itineraries. Samsung's beta testers, using Galaxy S25 series devices, can experience the advanced communication features of One UI 8, such as the multimodal AI agent that offers personalized suggestions, through the Samsung Members app.

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