Samsung’s One UI 8.5 push accelerates in January 2026: Beta 3 rolls out to the Galaxy S25 series with key fixes and the January security patch, Pixel-like weather effects hit the lock screen, and more Galaxy phones and tablets show up in internal test builds.
Samsung’s January software momentum is building fast. As of January 11, 2026, the biggest headline is One UI 8.5 Beta 3 for the Galaxy S25 lineup, paired with the start of the January 2026 security patch rollout, plus a steady drip of newly discovered features—from a weather-animated lock screen to hidden productivity tweaks and a widening list of devices appearing on Samsung’s internal test servers.
Below is what’s happening right now, what’s newly discovered this week, and what Galaxy users should watch next.
Key takeaways from today’s One UI 8.5 news
- One UI 8.5 Beta 3 (ZZA3) is rolling out for Galaxy S25 users, focusing heavily on bug fixes, stability, and battery improvements.
A Pixel-style lock screen weather effect is arriving in One UI 8.5, adding AI-generated rain/snow animations that move behind people/objects in your wallpaper.
Internal testing is expanding to more budget and midrange devices, including Galaxy A24, F54, A34, M16, and Tab A-series tablets (with multiple test build numbers now known).
The January 2026 security update is now underway, with Samsung detailing 55 security fixes across Android, One UI, and Samsung Semiconductor components.
Samsung is also pushing smaller ecosystem updates like Good Lock module fixes and a Google Play System update for older Galaxy S-series devices.
One UI 8.5 Beta 3 is rolling out for Galaxy S25: what’s new
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 Beta 3 arrived on January 5, 2026, and it’s already landing across multiple markets. SammyFans reports the build version is ZZA3 and that the update has rolled out in Germany, India, South Korea, the UK, Poland, and the U.S.
Android Central adds a helpful detail for testers: this beta is a large 1.2GB download and is aimed squarely at fixing real-world annoyances rather than adding flashy features in bulk.
Fixes users will actually notice day-to-day
Across the reports, the Beta 3 changelog reads like a stability-focused “cleanup pass,” including:
- A fix for the Phone app Favorites issue (favorites disappearing or behaving oddly).
A fix for Now Briefing not showing up for some users after updating (it should return after installing Beta 3 and rebooting).
A fix for a lock screen clock display error.
Reduced Gallery lag, especially stuttering tied to Live Effects.
Improved battery usage/power drain tied to certain apps.
Improved visibility for the search button on the widget add screen.
Where it’s available (and why the beta number differs)
One confusing bit: in some places it shows as Beta 3, while in other regions it may show up as Beta 2—but it’s still the same software build. SammyGuru says Beta 3 is live in Korea, Germany, the UK, and the U.S., while India and Poland are receiving the same update labeled differently.
Does One UI 8.5 Beta 4 arrive next?
The beta program isn’t over yet. SammyFans says new reports suggest Beta 4 is being prepared, and it may land on an upcoming Monday, potentially late January 2026—with the possibility of it being the final beta if everything goes smoothly.
That’s not official confirmation, but it’s consistent with how Samsung often schedules betas in predictable weekly windows.
One UI 8.5’s lock screen weather effect: Samsung borrows a Pixel-style trick
One of the more eye-catching features found in One UI 8.5 testing is a dynamic lock screen weather effect that mirrors the vibe of Google Pixel’s “Live Effects.”
According to Android Authority, One UI 8.5 introduces AI-generated weather animations—rain and snowfall effects that are applied to your lock screen wallpaper based on local weather conditions. The key detail: the animation can appear to move behind visible objects or people in your wallpaper, rather than looking like a simple overlay filter.
How to enable it (as currently described)
Android Authority says the option appears here:
Settings → Wallpaper & style → Lock Screen → Weather (enable)
It’s also notable that the report links the concept to Samsung’s earlier Photo Ambient Wallpaper experiment in Labs—suggesting Samsung is now turning that idea into a more polished, mainstream lock screen feature.
Hidden One UI 8.5 features you may have missed
One UI betas often have “quiet” improvements that don’t get top billing in changelogs. SamMobile highlights several hidden features discovered while running One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra:
- Edge Panels now work properly in landscape mode, making them more useful when you rotate the phone (especially for media and multitasking).
Camera UI decluttering via Camera Assistant: you can remove some interface clutter in photo/video modes by disabling certain indicators at the top.
A new lock screen gradient effect that extends from top to bottom for a more stylized look.
These aren’t “headline” features, but they’re exactly the kind of polish that tends to matter in daily use—especially if One UI 8.5 is meant to feel like a meaningful mid-cycle upgrade rather than a minor refresh.
More Galaxy devices show up in One UI 8.5 internal testing
While Galaxy S25 owners are the public beta audience, Samsung appears to be widening internal work across the Galaxy lineup.
Devices newly listed for internal testing
SammyFans reports that alongside Beta 3, Samsung added several devices to internal One UI 8.5 testing, including:
- Galaxy Tab A11 Plus
- Galaxy A24
- Galaxy F54
- Galaxy M16
- Galaxy A34
- Galaxy M53
- Galaxy Tab A9
That’s the “headline list.” But the more interesting detail for firmware watchers is the specific build numbers now popping up for several of these devices.
Galaxy A24 and Galaxy F54: test builds spotted (with build numbers)
SammyGuru reports that One UI 8.5 internal testing has started for:
- Galaxy A24: build A245FXXU9FZA1, spotted on Samsung test servers in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the UAE.
Galaxy F54: build E546BXXU9FZA1, spotted on servers in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. SammyGuru also notes both devices launched in 2023 with Android 13-based One UI 5.1, have already received One UI 8, and were promised four major Android OS updates (implying support through Android 17).
Galaxy A34, M16, Tab A9, and Tab A11 Plus: more builds identified
SammyGuru also published build identifiers for additional devices entering the One UI 8.5 testing pipeline:
- Galaxy A34: firmware A346NKSUCFZA1 spotted on test servers in Korea
Galaxy M16: build M166SKSU4CZA6 spotted on test servers in Korea
Galaxy Tab A9 (Wi‑Fi variant): build X110XXU7DZA1 spotted in India, Europe, and Turkey
Galaxy Tab A11 Plus (Wi‑Fi): build X230XXU2BZA1 spotted in India, Europe, Korea, and Turkey SammyGuru emphasizes an important caveat: a test build surfacing does not mean a public rollout is imminent—it mainly confirms Samsung is actively developing the firmware internally for that model.
January 2026 security patch rollout begins: what it fixes and who gets it first
Alongside One UI 8.5 beta development, Samsung is also pushing its first security release of 2026.
Who’s getting the patch first
SammyFans says Samsung started the January 2026 security patch rollout with the Galaxy S25 series via the One UI 8.5 Beta 3 update, then began pushing the stable patch for Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A34.
SammyGuru’s weekly roundup echoes that and adds rollout detail: the Galaxy A55 received the update in Korea, while the Galaxy A34 received it in Korea, Europe, the Philippines, and additional markets.
What’s inside the January 2026 patch
Samsung has published the patch details, and SammyGuru reports the January update fixes 55 security issues across Galaxy devices, spanning Android patches, Samsung Semiconductor fixes (including Exynos-related items), and Samsung One UI fixes.
SammyGuru’s breakdown of the 55 fixes includes:
- 21 Android fixes
- 4 Samsung Semiconductor fixes
- 30 Samsung One UI fixes
It also highlights severity: four of Google’s patches are labeled critical, with the remainder largely high severity—exactly why monthly security updates remain worth installing promptly.
How to check your Galaxy phone for the update
Samsung’s standard path applies:
Settings → Software update → Download and install
Rollouts are staged by region and carrier, so two identical devices can receive the same patch days (or weeks) apart.
Good Lock updates and Google Play System updates add extra polish
One UI isn’t only about firmware builds—Samsung’s app ecosystem often gets parallel updates that improve the overall experience.
Good Lock: Nice Shot bug fix
SammyFans reports Samsung released Nice Shot version 2.3.07, fixing a confusing behavior where Nice Shot could still appear in Good Lock’s disable targets list even after being turned off.
Good Lock: Theme Park gets a 2026 refresh (including landscape support for Fold)
Theme Park also received an update with a focus on stability and design improvements. SammyFans reports:
- Improved image loading stability/performance
- UI/UX enhancements
- Landscape mode support for Fold devices, in Theme Park version 1.1.01.38
Google Play System update rolls out (even to older Galaxy flagships)
SammyFans also notes Samsung has pushed a Google Play System update to the Galaxy S10, S20, and S21 series, bringing them to the November 2025 Play System level—an upgrade for devices that were previously stuck on older mid-2025 versions.
Samsung’s January update plan changed: one device added, one removed
One smaller but notable detail from today’s update roundup: SammyFans reports Samsung made two changes to its January 2026 update plan:
- Added: Galaxy Z TriFold
- Removed: Galaxy A03 Core
This doesn’t directly affect One UI 8.5 eligibility, but it is relevant if you track Samsung’s monthly rollout lists and device support cadence.
What’s next for One UI 8.5: realistic expectations
Samsung hasn’t published a public One UI 8.5 final release schedule yet, but multiple reports point to a familiar pattern: more betas for Galaxy S25 first, then a stable release, then staged expansion to older flagships and midrange devices.
- SammyFans says Beta 4 may arrive late January.
Android Authority says One UI 8.5 is expected to debut alongside Samsung’s next flagship phones “next month,” with older devices following after the Galaxy S26 launch.
SammyGuru expects a debut around the next flagship cycle and then a broader rollout to eligible devices afterward.
If you’re a Galaxy user, the most practical takeaway is this: Beta builds and test server sightings are accelerating, which usually signals Samsung is moving out of “early experimentation” and into “stabilization and rollout planning.”
FAQ: quick answers Galaxy users are searching for
How do I join the One UI 8.5 beta?
Samsung’s official guidance is to apply via the Samsung Members app in supported markets for eligible devices (starting with Galaxy S25 series in select countries).
How do I enable the lock screen weather effects?
As reported, go to Settings → Wallpaper & style → Lock Screen → Weather, then enable it.
Does a test build mean my phone is getting One UI 8.5 soon?
Not necessarily. Multiple reports stress that internal test builds confirm development is underway, but they don’t guarantee an imminent public rollout.
What does the January 2026 security patch include?
Samsung’s January 2026 update includes 55 security fixes, spanning Android, Samsung Semiconductor, and One UI-level patches.
