On , Samsung began distributing the fifth beta version of its upcoming One UI 8.5 software. According to reports from Android Authority and other tech outlets, the update package is approximately 553MB in size. The official changelog is minimal, primarily noting an updated version of Samsung’s virtual assistant, Bixby, and the inclusion of a recent Android security patch. This build follows a previous beta that had introduced a new “Direct Voicemail” feature.
The firmware, ending in ZZAN, appears to be a refinement build focused on improving system performance and reliability ahead of the public release. The update’s modest 553MB size suggests it contains targeted bug fixes rather than significant feature additions. The primary changes cited in the release notes are:
- An updated version of the Bixby voice assistant, likely addressing performance issues or bugs.
- The inclusion of the , Android security patch level.
Unlike the fourth beta which introduced a voicemail transcription service, this fifth release has not yielded any user-facing feature changes, reinforcing its role as a stability-focused update.
The release of a fifth beta is a standard part of Samsung’s software development lifecycle, known as the One UI Beta Program. This phase allows the company to gather feedback from a wide user base to identify and resolve bugs before a widespread public rollout. By issuing a series of incremental updates, Samsung aims to ensure the final software is stable and optimized. This late-stage beta, with its focus on polishing existing features like Bixby, indicates that the software is nearing a “feature freeze” as developers prepare for the stable launch.
While the update has been confirmed, specific details remain undisclosed. The complete changelog detailing all the specific bug fixes has not been made public. Furthermore, the exact release date for the stable version of One UI 8.5 is not yet confirmed, although it is widely expected to debut with the launch of the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. It is also unclear if any further beta versions will be released before the final build.
With the beta program nearing its conclusion, the next step is the official launch of One UI 8.5. This is expected to happen alongside the unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, which some reports suggest could be as early as . Following its debut on the new flagship devices, the stable One UI 8.5 update will begin rolling out to older eligible Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S25 series and others.
For users currently enrolled in the One UI 8.5 beta program on a Galaxy S25 device, the update can be downloaded by navigating to Settings > Software update > Download and install. It is always recommended to back up your device before installing any system software, even a minor beta update. Users who are not part of the beta program should wait for the official stable release, which will be delivered as an over-the-air (OTA) update automatically when it becomes available for their device and region.
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