Samsung’s One UI 8.5 momentum continues today: LockStar v8.5.00.8 adds customizable unlock animations and manual AOD brightness controls, while a rumored Beta 4 kernel jump could boost Galaxy S25 performance. (SamMobile)
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 storyline picked up pace on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with two developments that matter to everyday Galaxy users: a Good Lock LockStar update that makes the lock screen feel more personal (and more controllable), and fresh reporting that the next One UI 8.5 Beta 4 could deliver a meaningful performance lift for the Galaxy S25 series via a major kernel upgrade. (SamMobile)
If you’re running the One UI 8.5 beta—or you simply want to know what’s headed your way—today’s news suggests Samsung is tightening two key screws at the same time: polish (animations, responsiveness) and customization (lock screen behaviors you can actually feel every time you unlock your phone). (SamMobile)
Today’s One UI 8.5 headlines
Here’s what’s being reported on January 14:
- LockStar v8.5.00.8 is rolling out, bringing new unlock animation effects and manual Always On Display (AOD) brightness control for supported devices on One UI 8.5. (SamMobile)
- The next One UI 8.5 Beta 4 (expected next week) may include a kernel upgrade from 6.6.77 to 6.6.98, which could improve smoothness, animation fluidity, and touch responsiveness on the Galaxy S25 line—if the build ships as reported. (SamMobile)
- Broader primers circulating around One UI 8.5 continue to point to an Android 16-based update, a visual refresh, deeper ecosystem features, and stronger security tooling, with launch timing tied to the upcoming Galaxy S26 generation (still not officially dated). (LatestLY)
LockStar v8.5.00.8: the lock screen update you’ll notice instantly
Samsung’s Good Lock suite has always been where Galaxy power users go to make the phone feel theirs. Today’s LockStar update—reported as version 8.5.00.8—leans into that identity by adding something most people experience dozens (or hundreds) of times a day: the unlock transition. (SamMobile)
New unlock animation effects
According to today’s reports, LockStar now lets One UI 8.5 users apply new unlock animation styles—the effect that plays when you go from the lock screen to the home screen. Outlets covering the update list options such as:
- Slide
- Expand
- Spread
- Wave
- Warp
- Ripple (SamMobile)
And crucially, it’s not just “pick an effect and forget it.” The update also brings deeper tuning knobs, including options like:
- Direction
- Animation time/duration
- Shape and color
- Interpolator/animation curve settings (Sammy Fans)
That combination matters because it’s the difference between a gimmick and a true customization feature: you can match your phone’s feel to your preferences—snappier, smoother, playful, subtle, or somewhere in between. (Sammy Fans)
Manual AOD brightness control (finally, for supported devices)
Another big addition in LockStar v8.5.00.8 is manual AOD brightness control—but it’s not for every device.
Reports indicate this is available on devices that support full-screen AOD wallpapers, with SamMobile naming the Galaxy S24 and newer high-end Galaxy models as examples of eligible hardware. (SamMobile)
Why it matters: auto-brightness for AOD can be unpredictable depending on lighting conditions. Manual control gives you a straightforward way to prioritize outdoor visibility, nighttime comfort, or even personal preferences around burn-in risk management. (Sammy Fans)
It’s not only a One UI 8.5 update
One detail that could get overlooked: this LockStar update also includes changes for devices on One UI 8.0.
SamMobile reports that for One UI 8.0 devices, LockStar adds:
- A new custom text option for the lock screen
- Fixes related to fingerprint effects
- A corner rounding option for lock screen widgets (SamMobile)
In other words, Samsung isn’t limiting LockStar improvements strictly to beta users—some quality-of-life upgrades appear to be landing on the stable branch too. (SamMobile)
How to get the LockStar update and enable unlock animations
Exact menus can vary slightly by region and device, but coverage of today’s rollout points to the usual Good Lock path:
- Open Good Lock
- Tap LockStar (and update it if needed)
- Look for Unlock Animation to preview and apply effects
- If your phone supports full-screen AOD, open LockStar’s AOD settings to adjust manual brightness (Sammy Fans)
The update is being described as available via Samsung’s usual distribution channels for Good Lock modules (including Galaxy Store distribution for the module update). (Sammy Fans)
One UI 8.5 Beta 4: the kernel upgrade rumor that could translate into real speed
While LockStar is about what you see, today’s other major One UI 8.5 story is about what you feel—especially if you care about system responsiveness.
A SamMobile report published/updated today says Samsung is expected to release One UI 8.5 Beta 4 next week for the Galaxy S25 series, and that an in-development build (reported to end in ZZAA) appears to bring a significant kernel version jump. (SamMobile)
What’s changing, according to the report
The key claim: the kernel may be upgraded from 6.6.77 to 6.6.98, a jump of 21 versions in a single step. (SamMobile)
SamMobile attributes the finding to tipster @UniverseIce, and notes that (per the tipster) a Galaxy S25 Ultra on the newer kernel feels:
- smoother
- more responsive
- improved animations
- better overall fluidity
- improved touch response (SamMobile)
Why a kernel upgrade can matter in plain English
Even if you don’t follow firmware builds, a kernel upgrade often signals “under-the-hood” work that can influence:
- system performance and scheduling
- memory handling
- device stability
- security patches and hardening
- hardware driver updates (SamMobile)
In practical terms, that can translate into less jank when switching apps, more consistent scrolling, quicker gesture recognition, and fewer micro-stutters—especially in a beta where Samsung is still tuning performance. (As always, real-world results depend on the final release, device configuration, and the apps you use most.)
What we can—and can’t—say today
What’s solid: today’s reporting establishes that Beta 4 is expected next week and that the kernel upgrade is present in an under-development build cited by a known tipster. (SamMobile)
What’s not yet confirmed: whether Beta 4 will ship widely with that exact kernel upgrade, and how much measurable performance change it will bring across regions and models. SamMobile itself notes that “things will only get clear” once the update is released. (SamMobile)
One UI 8.5: where the update stands right now
Stepping back from today’s headlines, it’s useful to anchor One UI 8.5 in what Samsung has officially said.
Samsung announced the One UI 8.5 beta program on December 8, 2025, with initial availability for the Galaxy S25 series in select markets including Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the U.S., and sign-up handled via the Samsung Members app. (Samsung Global Newsroom)
The bigger One UI 8.5 feature picture: AI, ecosystem, and security
Even though today’s news is about LockStar and Beta 4 performance, One UI 8.5 is positioned as a wider “quality + capability” upgrade.
From Samsung’s own One UI 8.5 beta announcement, the headline feature areas include:
- Photo Assist upgrades that allow continuous edits without needing to save every iteration (with an edit history to review afterward). (Samsung Global Newsroom)
- Quick Share improvements that can recognize people in photos and proactively suggest sharing to those contacts. (Samsung Global Newsroom)
- Audio Broadcast (Auracast), including the ability to broadcast your voice using your phone’s built-in microphone to nearby LE Audio-supported devices. (Samsung Global Newsroom)
- Storage Share, designed to surface files from other Galaxy devices directly inside My Files, expanding cross-device file access (with several requirements and device/account conditions). (Samsung Global Newsroom)
- Security additions and refinements including Theft Protection, Failed Authentication Lock, and Identity check. (Samsung Global Newsroom)
That context matters because today’s lock screen changes and performance rumors are best understood as part of Samsung’s broader One UI strategy: smooth the daily experience while expanding cross-device features and privacy/security controls.
One UI 8.5 release timing and eligible devices: what’s being reported
Android 16 foundation
Multiple reports describe One UI 8.5 as Samsung’s next Android 16-based update. (9to5Google)
Expected debut and rollout sequence
A Latestly “QuickLY” brief and its corresponding longer explainer frame One UI 8.5 as expected to debut with the Galaxy S26 series, then expand to older flagships and mid-range devices afterward. (LatestLY)
Important caveat: specific launch-event dates referenced in third-party reports are not official; treat them as leaks until Samsung confirms timing. (LatestLY)
Eligible Galaxy devices (high-level)
Latestly’s eligibility framing is tied to Android 16 / One UI 8.0 eligibility—suggesting that many devices already in line for One UI 8.0 should also qualify for 8.5. The report lists broad families such as:
- Galaxy S: S25, S24, S23, S22 (including FE models), plus S21 FE
- Galaxy Z: Fold/Flip generations 4–7, plus special editions noted in the report
- Galaxy A: a wide range from higher-end A7x/A5x down to entry-level A0x in the publication’s list
- Galaxy Tab & XCover: Tab S-series generations and select rugged models (LatestLY)
Until Samsung publishes an official rollout matrix, consider this an expectation based on reporting and update-policy patterns—not a guaranteed device-by-device promise.
What to do today if you’re a Galaxy user watching One UI 8.5
- If you’re on the One UI 8.5 beta (Galaxy S25 series): keep an eye out for LockStar updates inside Good Lock and watch for Beta 4 next week if Samsung keeps its current cadence. (SamMobile)
- If you’re on One UI 8.0 stable: you may still benefit from LockStar’s newer features (like lock screen text and other improvements), depending on your device and module availability. (SamMobile)
- If you care about performance: Beta 4’s kernel story is worth tracking, but wait for the actual changelog and user reports once it lands—kernel upgrades can help, but the impact varies by device, apps, and region. (SamMobile)
As of January 14, the takeaway is simple: One UI 8.5 isn’t just adding headline features—it’s also getting the smaller “daily-use” details right, from lock screen behavior to the responsiveness of the system itself. (SamMobile)
Related reading from around the One UI 8.5 beta:
