Samsung's next major software revision, One UI 8.5 is on the way, and early clues point to a package of changes focused on the interface, privacy, and AI features. There's no official announcement yet, but references found in the code and leaked images of test builds indicate that development is moving forward at a good pace.
Visual changes and interface tweaks in One UI 8.5
The captures reveal a Settings panel with new features in One UI 8: more compact elements and a search bar at the bottom, replacing the classic magnifying glass icon. Also noticeable are subtle gradients around the edges, more prominent shadows, and a Back button that appears to float above the interface.
The set conveys a more visually friendly interface, with Samsung's aesthetic touch and without losing visual consistency with the current layer. These are small changes, but they add up to easier navigation and improved readability.
The modifications would not remain in the system menu: own applications such as Phone, the Studio video editor or the Themes store would receive a facelift to align its appearance with the new visual language, as detailed by the Arrival of One UI 8 on devices.
The intention seems clear: reduce touches, highlight what is important and leave more handy shortcuts on all screens, with more subtle animations and transitions.
Privacy and security: 'Private screen' and more controls
One of the most striking clues in the code is a mode of 'Private Screen', designed to limit the viewing angle and prevent prying eyes without resorting to physical protectors. The idea is that the user can activate and deactivate it on demand, following the concepts of One UI 8.
This approach is related to technology Flex Magic Pixel that Samsung showed at MWC, capable of adjusting the viewing angle using AI. Although the references appear in One UI 8.5, the final implementation could scale in phases on future high-end devices.
There will also be more control of the security section: the Auto Blocker (which protects against apps from external sources and other risks) would allow a 30-minute temporary deactivation for specific installations, reactivating after that time.
In terms of utilities, the weather app aims to recover the pollen count and minor presentation tweaks for a clearer look at daily information.
AI and additional utilities in testing
Another new development is the automatic call answering, a feature that would use AI to filter out suspicious numbers, answer calls for us, and display a brief transcript, along the lines of what some rivals offer today.
The One UI launcher would include shortcuts to invoke AI agents from the launcher, without opening specific applications. In tests, references to various engines were seen, with the idea of ​​allowing quick queries from any screen.
In addition, Samsung would be recovering the sending files via NFC as a temporary alternative to Quick Share, useful in scenarios of extreme proximity or when there is no stable connectivity via WiFi or Bluetooth.
Minor changes also include references to options to mitigate risks. photosensitive epilepsy and more refined animations. There's no official date yet: various leaks place its arrival in a wide window, from the end of the year until the next cycle with new Galaxy phones, so we'll have to wait for confirmation from Samsung itself.
One UI 8.5 is shaping up to be an intermediate update with many improvementsA measured redesign, privacy improvements, more security controls, and AI features that aim to be useful in everyday life. Much of what's known comes from code analysis and leaked builds, so details could be fine-tuned before the public release.
