One UI 8.5 Launch: Will Your Galaxy Get the "Liquid Glass" Redesign?

Wednesday, 14 January 2026 at 00:03

The One UI 8.5 update is no minor point release. Samsung’s Beta 3 (build CZA3) is officially stable enough for daily use on the Galaxy S25. This firmware is effectively a "bridge" to Android 17, and it’s introducing a radical visual shift called Liquid Glass. Think frosted transparency, floating UI elements, and 3D icons that move with your device’s gyroscope.

Key points

One UI 8.5 debuts with the Galaxy S26 series on February 25, 2026.

"Liquid Glass" introduces a transparency-heavy UI with 3D depth.

Storage Share allows direct file access across all connected Galaxy devices.

Continuous AI editing allows multiple Photo Assist changes without saving.

Any device eligible for Android 16 will receive the One UI 8.5 update.

Launch Dates & Beta Status

The Big Reveal: Samsung is launching the Galaxy S26 series with One UI 8.5 out of the box on February 25, 2026.
Beta 4 Expectations: Insiders (like Tarun Vats) expect the final Beta 4 to drop around January 19-20 for the S25.
Public Rollout: Owners of the S25, Z Fold 7, and Z Flip 7 should see a "stable" OTA notification in early March 2026.

Top Features: Beyond the Skin

This update is about making Galaxy devices talk to each other without the "syncing" headache.

Storage Share: My Files now acts as a local server. You can literally drag a 4GB file from your Galaxy Tab S10 straight into a phone message without using Quick Share or the Cloud.
Continuous Photo Assist: Samsung finally removed the "Save" requirement for every AI edit. You can erase a person, move a car, and change the background in one session, then save the final result.
Audio Broadcast (Auracast): Your phone's mic becomes a broadcast hub. You can literally narrate to a group of people wearing LE Audio-compatible headphones in real-time.
Failed Authentication Lock: A new security brick. After too many bad biometric attempts, the phone enters a "locked state" that requires a verified secondary device to open.