Samsung One UI 8.5: Samsung seems to be preparing a big leap in software innovation, with several One UI 8.5 features expected to launch exclusively on the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. These features were spotted by a known leaker who managed to activate them on a rooted device running an internal AI-focused build of One UI. Meanwhile, current models like the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 are believed to be running older builds where these options remain disabled.
The leaks strongly indicate that Samsung is diving deeper into AI integration, lock screen customisation, and intelligent photo editing tools—all aimed at making the Galaxy S26 lineup feel smarter and more personalised than ever.
What’s New? Samsung One UI 8.5 Could Bring Now Nudges, 3D Wallpapers, and Smarter Editing Tools
Now Nudges: Smarter, Contextual Lock Screen Alerts
One of the most talked-about features is Now Nudges, a new contextual information system that provides helpful updates directly on the lock screen.
According to an X post by That Josh Guy (@thatjoshguy69), citing leaker DaManMikey (@DaRealManMikey), Now Nudges works similarly to Google’s At a Glance widget.
Early versions show basic details like:
- Greetings
- Weather updates
- Timely reminders
However, hidden menus hint at powerful future capabilities such as:
- Automatically recalling important information
- Filling forms without user input
- Offering quick action suggestions based on on-screen content
This suggests Samsung is pushing One UI toward a more context-aware, AI-driven experience.
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3D Wallpaper Effects for a More Dynamic Lock Screen
Another exciting discovery is Wallpaper Live Effects.
This feature appears in the lock screen editor and lets users add a 3D parallax-style effect to their wallpaper. While Samsung Gallery already offers something similar, this is the first time such effects will be natively built into the lock screen settings, making customisation easier and more immersive.
Creative Studio: A New Way to Build Custom Wallpapers
Samsung is also said to be working on a Creative Studio inside the Wallpaper and Style section.
This tool will allow users to design their own wallpapers using assistive drawing features, sitting alongside the existing AI wallpaper generator. It’s a strong move toward giving users more creative freedom right from the device’s default settings.
AI-Powered Type to Edit: Photo Editing Gets Faster
In addition to visual upgrades, One UI 8.5 may introduce a new Type to Edit feature inside the Gallery app.
Instead of manually circling or drawing over objects, users will be able to type a command to edit their photos—bringing a more intuitive, AI-driven workflow.
This feature, too, is reportedly exclusive to the Galaxy S26 lineup, further signalling that Samsung is reserving its most advanced tools for its next flagship release.
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Exclusive to the Galaxy S26? Early Builds Suggest Yes
All these features were enabled only on devices running the 20261 AI build of One UI—software that isn’t available on any currently shipping Galaxy model. This strongly supports the idea that Samsung will keep these innovations exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series at launch.
When Is One UI 8.5 Coming Out?
Samsung is expected to unveil One UI 8.5 alongside the Galaxy S26 lineup in February 2026. A public beta is also likely to roll out beforehand, possibly starting with Galaxy S25 users.
