Samsung has officially begun the rollout of its One UI 8.5 software update on May 6. The company confirmed the launch via a press release, marking the start of a widespread distribution phase for its latest operating system. This update targets a broad spectrum of the manufacturer's recent hardware lineup, signaling a major software milestone for the brand's ecosystem.
The update introduces several key technical changes to the user experience. Samsung has overhauled the user interface by implementing new menus and navigation bars. The software also brings enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities, specifically a feature called Photo Assist designed to refine AI-generated images. Additionally, the update includes improvements to the Bixby voice assistant, making it smarter and more responsive.
The rollout begins in Korea on May 6, with other regions scheduled to receive the update in mid-May. The initial wave of compatible devices includes the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, which ship with One UI 8.5 pre-installed. The update also covers the Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 FE, and S25 Edge series. Older flagships such as the Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, and S23 FE are included in the compatibility list. Foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Fold6, Z Fold5, Z Flip7, Z Flip6, and Z Flip5 will also receive the update. Tablet support extends to the Galaxy Tab S11, S11 Ultra, S10, S10+, S10 Ultra, S9, S9+, and S9 Ultra series. Mid-range and entry-level Galaxy A series phones, including the A07, A17, A37, A57, A06, A16, A26, A36, A56, A05, A15, A25, A35, and A55 models, are part of the supported devices.
Samsung has indicated that the full rollout to all compatible devices will likely take several months. This gradual release schedule is typical for major operating system updates across its diverse product range. The company has not yet confirmed specific launch windows for every region or device model beyond the initial Korean release and mid-May global start.
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