BERLIN, May 11, 2026, 14:08 CEST
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 rollout has moved from announcement to live updates in more markets, bringing AirDrop-compatible Quick Share to older Galaxy phones while a separate report pointed to early testing of One UI 9, its next Android upgrade. SamMobile reported on Monday that Galaxy devices receiving the stable One UI 8.5 update are gaining wireless file sharing with iPhones, iPads and Macs.
The timing matters because One UI is Samsung’s own version of Android, the software layer most Galaxy users see every day. The 8.5 release pushes newer Galaxy AI tools, sharing features and security changes beyond the Galaxy S26 line, putting pressure on Apple’s AirDrop and Google’s Pixel software features in the same week Android 17 moves closer to launch.
Samsung said One UI 8.5 began rolling out in Korea on May 6, with other regions to follow. Its German newsroom said the update would arrive from mid-May, while Heise reported that the Germany rollout was due to start on May 11; Tech Advisor separately reported that some U.S. Galaxy S25 users were getting the update on Monday.
The update covers the Galaxy S25, S24 and S23 series, including FE models, Samsung’s recent Z Fold and Z Flip foldables, and Galaxy Tab S11, Tab S10 and Tab S9 tablets. Samsung said A-series phones from the last three generations in Germany would also receive One UI 8.5, though with “Awesome Intelligence,” a lighter set of AI features for mid-range devices. Samsung Global Newsroom
The biggest consumer-facing change is Quick Share support for AirDrop, Apple’s wireless file-transfer system. Samsung said during the beta phase that AirDrop support through Quick Share would come to select devices, and SamMobile reported Monday that the stable One UI 8.5 update has now started bringing that feature to older models including the Galaxy S25 series.
Other additions are less flashy but broad. Heise reported that One UI 8.5 includes updated Photo Assist editing, Advanced Audio Eraser for reducing background noise in apps such as YouTube or Instagram, AI call screening, Creative Studio, Audio Broadcast using Auracast, and Storage Share, which lets files from other Galaxy devices appear in the My Files app.
Call Screening is Samsung’s clearest move into Google Pixel territory. The feature lets AI answer an incoming call, ask who is calling and why, then show the user a transcript or summary, similar to call-screening tools already available on newer Pixel devices.
Samsung also used the update to adjust the interface. Heise reported more flexible home and lock screen customization, including resizable icons, widgets and clock styles, while the security changes include a failed-authentication lock that can automatically lock the screen after repeated failed fingerprint, PIN or password attempts.
The next step is already showing up in leaks. Techbook, citing Samsung watcher Tarun Vats, reported Monday that an early One UI 9 test build, S948BXXU2ZZE7, had appeared on Samsung test servers for the Galaxy S26 Ultra and was based on Android 17. Samsung has not confirmed a public One UI 9 beta.
Google’s own calendar explains why Samsung may be moving early. Google I/O is scheduled for May 19-20, and Google developer relations engineer Dan Galpin wrote in April that Android 17 Beta 4 was the “last scheduled beta” and a “near-final environment” for testing. Google I/O
There is a catch. Samsung says feature availability can vary by model, region and software version, and some AI tools may require a Samsung account. The One UI 9 reports also remain unofficial, meaning the public beta timing could slip or arrive with fewer features than early test builds suggest.
