January 6, 2026 — Samsung is starting the year with a stability-first update for its newest flagship lineup. One UI 8.5 Beta 3 is now rolling out to Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra testers, bringing the January 2026 security patch and a set of fixes that target some of the most common early beta complaints—especially battery drain, lock screen quirks, and Gallery performance stutters. Android Authority
At the same time, Samsung’s broader One UI 8.5 development continues to polish day-to-day experiences beyond bug fixes. Recent One UI 8.5 builds have also been spotted refining the Camera app—most notably with a redesigned video resolution interface that’s meant to keep the preview cleaner while putting pro controls like HDR and LOG within faster reach. Gizchina
Below is what’s new today, where the update is rolling out, and why this beta matters—even if you’re waiting for the stable release.
One UI 8.5 Beta 3: What’s actually new in today’s update?
Samsung’s Beta 3 build (ZZA3 / ending in ZA3) is a relatively large download (roughly 1.2GB, varying by device and region), and it’s built around quality-of-life fixes rather than flashy new features. Android Authority
The Beta 3 changelog highlights
Across multiple reports, the fixes called out in Samsung’s changelog include: Android Authority
- Lock screen clock display error fixed
- Phone app Favorites issue resolved
- Now Briefing not showing issue fixed
- Gallery lag improved (especially when using Live Effects)
- High power consumption issue improved when a specific app is running
- Widget addition screen search button visibility improved
In plain terms: if you’ve been seeing random battery dips, a misaligned or glitchy lock screen clock, or the Gallery turning choppy when applying effects, Beta 3 is designed to smooth those out.
Where One UI 8.5 Beta 3 is rolling out first
As of today’s wave of reports, Beta 3 availability depends on region—and even the “beta number” you see may differ.
- U.S., South Korea, Germany, and the UK are among the regions where the ZZA3 build is reported as live. Android Central
- In some markets (including India and Poland), the same build may show up as “Beta 2” due to differences in the rollout sequence. Android Central
This regional mismatch is confusing, but the key point is that the core build and fixes are the same—only the labeling differs based on when each country entered the current beta track. Android Central
The January 2026 security patch is now included—and Samsung just shared what it fixes
One of the biggest practical benefits of Beta 3 is that it carries the January 1, 2026 security patch level, which is also notable because it’s hitting Galaxy S25 testers very early in the month. Android Authority
Importantly for today (January 6), Samsung’s January patch is no longer a black box: SamMobile reports that Samsung has published details, stating that the January 2026 security patch fixes 55 vulnerabilities in total. The breakdown includes items from Google, Samsung Semiconductor, and Samsung Mobile, with Samsung categorizing some issues as critical/high-risk. SamMobile
SamMobile also notes that because the Galaxy S25 series received Beta 3 with this patch, it’s the first set of phones to get the January 2026 patch, and broader rollout to other Galaxy devices is expected to follow. SamMobile
Why the camera changes in One UI 8.5 are getting attention
While today’s Beta 3 changelog is mostly about stability, One UI 8.5 as a whole is shaping up as a “dot-five” update with meaningful refinements—especially for creators.
One of the more interesting UI upgrades spotted recently is a redesigned video resolution selector in the Camera app. According to Gizchina’s breakdown, Samsung is replacing the older, larger pop-up card with a more compact “frosted glass” style panel that leaves more of the camera preview visible. Gizchina
The key Camera UI upgrades (as reported)
- Smaller resolution panel that doesn’t block half your preview
- Cleaner layout with less redundant explanatory text
- Better spacing and clearer selection highlights for resolution and FPS controls
- HDR and LOG toggles moved into the resolution menu, so you don’t have to dig deep into settings before recording Gizchina
For Galaxy S25 Ultra users who shoot a lot of video, that last point matters: faster access to HDR and LOG can reduce friction when switching between casual clips and more “serious” footage.
How to get One UI 8.5 Beta 3 on your Galaxy S25
If you’re already enrolled in the beta, installation is the usual Samsung flow:
- Open Settings
- Tap Software update
- Tap Download and install Android Central
If you’re not enrolled yet, Samsung’s official guidance for the One UI 8.5 beta program is to apply through the Samsung Members app (availability depends on your market). Samsung Global Newsroom
Beta reminder: this is test software. Even with stability improvements, you should still expect occasional bugs, and it’s smart to back up important data before installing.
Why Beta 3 matters even if you’re waiting for the stable release
Beta 3 isn’t a feature drop—it’s Samsung doing the unglamorous work that usually decides whether a software launch feels “polished” or “rushed.”
The fixes in this build point to three priorities:
- Battery reliability (fixing abnormal power consumption tied to certain apps) Android Authority
- Everyday smoothness (Gallery performance and UI glitches like lock screen clock errors) Android Authority
- Usability cleanup (small but real improvements like making widget search easier to spot) Android Authority
In other words: if Beta 2 made One UI 8.5 feel “promising,” Beta 3 is aimed at making it feel trustworthy enough for daily use.
What’s next: When will One UI 8.5 go stable?
Samsung hasn’t announced a public stable date today, but multiple outlets continue to point to the Galaxy S26 launch window as the likely moment One UI 8.5 becomes the default experience on new flagships. Android Authority
For Galaxy S25 owners, that typically means the stable rollout could follow after the S26 debut—often in phases by region and carrier.
Bottom line
On January 6, 2026, the headline is simple: One UI 8.5 Beta 3 is here to fix the stuff that most affects daily use—battery life, UI glitches, Gallery performance—and it also brings the January 2026 security patch with newly published details on what’s been addressed. Android Authority
And if Samsung’s camera UI refinements are any indication, One UI 8.5 isn’t just about new features—it’s about making the existing experience feel cleaner, faster, and more creator-friendly. Gizchina
