Samsung Expands One UI 8.5 Beta to More Legacy Galaxy Phones
Samsung is accelerating its One UI 8.5 beta rollout to legacy Galaxy devices, bringing its latest software innovations to budget and mid-range phones that millions of users rely on daily. The expansion marks a significant shift in the company’s update strategy following the Galaxy S26 launch.

One UI 8.5 Beta Now Available on Galaxy S23 FE, A-Series, and Foldables

According to leaker Tarun Vats, One UI 8.5 is rolling out to more older Samsung devices, expanding beyond the initial beta phase. The newly eligible phones include the Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy A35, Galaxy A55, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5. Additionally, Samsung is pushing updates to its foldable lineup: the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 are upgrading to Beta 2, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are advancing to Beta 3.

Regional Restrictions Limit Early Access

The beta expansion comes with geographical constraints. Users in India can enroll the Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy A35, while the remaining devices are currently limited to South Korea. Samsung typically expands beta access to the United States and United Kingdom in subsequent phases, suggesting wider availability is forthcoming.

New Features Highlight One UI 8.5’s Appeal

Samsung’s latest software introduces several new AI features, a design refresh, and enhanced security and privacy settings. The marquee addition is AirDrop support via Quick Share, though this functionality will activate later in the beta cycle. The company has not disclosed when the stable release will arrive for these legacy devices, though the Galaxy S25 series is expected to receive the official update before month’s end.

How to Enroll in the One UI 8.5 Beta

Getting access to the beta requires a few straightforward steps through Samsung’s official tools.

  1. Open the Samsung Members app on your eligible device.
  2. Sign in with your Samsung account credentials.
  3. Look for the promotional banner at the top of the app.
  4. Tap the enrollment option to register for the beta program.
  5. Wait for the software update notification to appear on your device.
  6. Install the beta update when the notification arrives.

Note: Beta software carries inherent stability risks. Avoid installing on your primary phone and back up all sensitive data before proceeding.

Why Waiting for Stable Release Makes Sense

While One UI 8.5’s feature set is compelling, Samsung’s rapid development cycle means the final version will likely arrive within weeks with significantly lower risk of critical bugs and with all features fully enabled. Early beta adoption remains best suited for enthusiasts willing to tolerate potential instability rather than everyday users seeking reliability.

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