Samsung’s first One UI 8.5 beta update has been uploaded to servers

Samsung just uploaded the very first test build of the One UI 8.5 beta for the Galaxy S25 Ultra to its internal servers today. Tipsters have spotted the firmware versions S938NKSU7ZYKP and S938NOKR7ZYKP hanging out in the backend.

Internal testing has started

This is big news because folks were getting worried about delays. The software was supposed to drop in November but got pushed back because of some changes to the upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup. But now with the fresh releases, it looks like the wait is almost over.

The update is based on Android 16 and it will likely debut natively on the Galaxy S26 in February. You usually expect these x.5 updates to be minor refreshes, but this one is shaping up to be bigger than usual.

Leaks point to a overhaul of the Quick Settings panel where you can finally move and resize toggles however you want. Early builds rocking 3D-style icons on the home screen with heavy shadows have also been making rounds on social media, though Samsung might be dialling that back a bit in newer versions.

The AI stuff is arguably the coolest part of this update, though. Samsung is adding something called Now Nudges which acts like a proactive assistant that learns your habits to autofill forms or dig up old passwords. There is also a new Auto Answer with AI feature for Call Assist that picks up the phone for you after a set time and asks the caller what they want.

Priority Notification is coming to help filter your alerts using AI and you will get summaries for those endless group chat messages too. And finally, gaming performance is getting a boost and there is a new Private Display mode for keeping things secure.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S26 series may finally get faster charging speeds

The new update is expected the beta to hit South Korea first before expanding to the US and UK and Germany and India.