Samsung launched the One UI 8.5 beta program earlier this year for the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7, bringing a refreshed take on Galaxy AI and a more conversational Bixby. Now, that same experience is opening up to more devices through a growing beta program.
One UI 8.5 beta now open to more Galaxy devices
Samsung is opening up its One UI 8.5 beta to a bigger group of Galaxy owners, and the list of supported devices has grown quite a bit. One UI is Samsung's custom version of Android, and version 8.5 is all about making Galaxy AI feel more useful day to day, with a smarter, more conversational Bixby leading the charge. According to Samsung's announcement, here's what's now eligible for the beta in the US.
You can sign up through the Samsung Members app, and more devices are expected to join the program in April.
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The Samsung Members app is where you can sign up for the beta. | Image by Samsung
If you've been sitting on a Galaxy S24 or a Tab S11 and wondering when your turn was coming, this is it. One UI 8.5's Galaxy AI features are genuinely worth trying, particularly the updated Bixby. It's a lot more natural to talk to than older versions, and for anyone who gave up on Bixby years ago, it might actually be worth another shot.
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Beyond Bixby, this expansion shows Samsung is serious about keeping older devices in the loop. Apple has always gotten credit for long software support on iPhones, and Samsung has been steadily stepping up on that front. Rolling out a beta like this to devices from a couple of generations back is a good sign for Galaxy owners who don't upgrade every year.
Just keep in mind it's still a beta, so the occasional bug or hiccup is part of the deal.
Poll
67 Votes
Now that One UI 8.5's beta is expanding, what are you most curious to try first?
The new conversational Bixby features
10.45%
Galaxy AI tools and smart suggestions
10.45%
General performance and UI improvements
37.31%
I'll wait for the stable release before upgrading
41.79%
Should you sign up?
Honestly, if you like being among the first to try new things and a glitch here and there doesn't stress you out, go for it. The Samsung Members app makes signing up straightforward, and there's something fun about getting a peek at software before it's fully cooked.
If your phone is your lifeline for work or you just can't afford any disruptions, though, sitting tight until the stable release is the smarter move. We'll keep following the rollout, so stay tuned for more.
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Johanna Romero is a Senior News Writer at PhoneArena, covering mobile technology news across Android, iOS, wearables, and the Google ecosystem she knows best. Drawing on 15 years in IT and tech support from 2007 to 2022, she brings a user-friendly eye for the practical features and lesser-known tricks readers care about. Google named her an official #TeamPixel member in 2022, and she also reviews the latest devices on her YouTube channel, JoJo the Techie.
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