Samsung (finally) begins One UI 8.5 development for Galaxy M Series

The Galaxy M series is finally moving onto the radar. While flagship owners are already tinkering with beta builds, internal activity at Samsung suggests the mid-range lineup is next in line. Servers just lit up with the first traces of One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy M54, proving that Samsung’s next Android 16-based skin is heading for broader hardware testing much earlier than expected.

Reliable tipsters have spotted the initial test build, identified as M546BXXU9FYL1, across a massive regional footprint. From Vietnam and Thailand to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the firmware is being prepped for the specific radio bands of the M54. While the M-series doesn't get the "Beta" invites that the S25 series currently enjoys, these server hits confirm that the software bridge between the flagship and mid-range tiers is actively being built. This is the first M-series device to officially appear in the 8.5 database.

One UI 8.5 isn't just a maintenance patch. It’s a visual overhaul focused on "Liquid Glass" aesthetics—think transparent, layered UI elements that feel more 3D. The real utility, however, lies in "Now Nudges." This system uses local on-device AI to predict what you need. Reach the airport? It pulls your flight info from a screenshot automatically. Open a food app? It surfaces your saved loyalty cards without a prompt. You're also getting Direct Voicemail (visual transcripts in real-time) and a Private Album folder that no longer requires digging through Gallery Labs to activate.

If you’re hoping to sign up for the beta on your M54, you’re out of luck. Samsung typically keeps the Beta Program restricted to the S and Z series. M-series owners skip the experimental bugs and go straight to the stable release. Following the official debut of One UI 8.5 with the Galaxy S26 (expected in late January or February 2026), the M54 and its siblings should see the update hit their notification shades in late Q2 2026.