8 new features coming to your Samsung Galaxy phones with One UI 8.5
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Android 16-based One UI 8 (https://www.androidauthority.com/one-ui-8-leaked-build-changes-3545160/) is just starting to roll out globally, but Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed anything yet. However, we and others got our hands on leaked firmware builds that reveal several upcoming features. While we’ve already written about these individually, here’s a quick roundup of the most exciting new features:
Private Display - A feature called Privacy Display (https://www.androidauthority.com/one-ui-8-5-private-display-apk-teardown-3599649/) will limit screen visibility from side angles, allowing only you to see what’s on the display. This looks set to debut on the S26 Ultra, which uses Samsung’s ‘Flex Magic Pixel’ technology (https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-privacy-screen-3588697/), which adjusts pixels to reduce visibility when seated next to you. Users will pick between privacy levels, including a ‘Maximum Privacy’ option that dims the screen even further.
Automatic Call Screening - Galaxy users rely on Bixby Text Call to manually screen calls. Now, with One UI 8.5, this feature will handle suspicious calls automatically, showing live transcripts instead of requiring manual input. The manual option remains for those who prefer triggering call screening themselves.
NFC-Based Quick Share - Quick Share is Android’s answer to AirDrop, but the updated One UI suggests it’ll be easier on Galaxy phones. We saw strings hinting at an NFC-based file-sharing option (https://www.androidauthority.com/one-ui-8-5-nfc-quick-share-file-sharing-leak-3599799/), where transfers begin by holding devices close. This feels like a callback to Beam days but will likely use Wi-Fi Direct after the initial NFC handshake, with special animations during transfer. It’s experimental until launched.
Pollen Tracking - Samsung once included pollen tracking in its Weather app, but it’s now back with the One UI 8.5 update. The code indicates the app will show pollen levels for trees, grass, and ragweed, with color-coded leaf icons and severity levels for allergy users.
AI Launcher Shortcut - Samsung introduces a new AI shortcut in the launcher (https://www.androidauthority.com/one-ui-8-5-home-screen-ai-apk-teardown-3599988/). This makes asking questions and getting instant responses easier, with answers capped at three sentences. The code references multiple AI providers, allowing users to choose between Gemini, Perplexity, or Samsung Gauss.
iOS-Inspired Design Tweak - Leaked screenshots show experiments with more iOS-like layouts and visuals. The Settings page is now compact, the search bar moved to the bottom, containers with drop shadows, a floating back button, and an overflow gradient effect. These changes could make the UI feel more modern and streamlined.
Temporarily Disable Auto Blocker - One UI 6 introduced Auto Blocker, but users may find it frustrating. With One UI 8.5, Samsung offers a temporary disable option with an automatic re-enable after 30 minutes, allowing sideloading apps or testing without compromising security.
Protection Against Flashing Lights - One UI 8.5 adds a feature to detect flashing lights (https://www.androidauthority.com/one-ui-epilepsy-3599543/) in videos and automatically dim the screen to protect users with photosensitive epilepsy.
These are the eight biggest changes we’ve spotted so far. Features could still evolve before release. Of course, this list will grow as development continues and we get closer to the launch of the Galaxy S26 series (https://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-s26-ultra-camera-bump-thickness-3596153/). We’re expecting a lot more features for everything from photography to productivity, AI, and more. But if these early findings are anything to go by, One UI 8.5 could be a major update for your Galaxy phones.
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