SEOUL, April 21, 2026, 04:30 KST
- Samsung’s new One UI 8.5 betas are bringing Galaxy S26 AI features over to the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, and the latest foldables.
- The Galaxy S25 update with build ZZDD weighs in at more than 900MB, bringing the April 5, 2026 security patch.
- There’s still no official word on a stable rollout, but reports suggest it could arrive in late April or early May.
Samsung Electronics rolled out new One UI 8.5 beta updates, adding a batch of Galaxy S26 AI features to earlier high-end models—the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, and its latest foldables make the cut. One UI, Samsung’s Android overlay, gets these additions in the beta software—an early test version, not yet public. SamMobile
This shift has weight right now: Samsung seems close to wrapping up a lengthy test phase for the Galaxy S25 series, and it’s pushing those same features to last year’s top models. According to Android Authority, the S25 just hit its tenth One UI 8.5 beta. SamMobile points to a stable release possibly coming up next. Android Authority
Samsung, for its part, is looking to untether Galaxy AI from specific device launches. Over at Google, Call Screen is already part of the Pixel lineup, letting users see who’s calling before they answer. Apple claims Apple Intelligence is natively integrated into iOS on supported models, underscoring how much more central software-driven AI has become in the battle for consumers’ attention. Google Help
According to SamMobile, the latest beta for the Galaxy S25 series lands with firmware ending in ZZDD, rolling out now in South Korea, Germany, India, and the UK. Beta versions vary by region. Android Authority pegs the update’s size at roughly 915MB and notes it includes the April 2026 security patch. SamMobile
In Korea, a Samsung Members post revealed details for the Galaxy S25 Ultra: One UI 8.5 on Android 16, build S938NKSU9ZZDD, with a 918.98MB download and an April 5, 2026 security patch. The changelog called out new AI tools, plus bug fixes for slow or blacked-out incoming call screens, proximity sensor glitches during calls, green lines showing up in some 4K HDR video clips shot with third-party camera apps, Bluetooth instability, and multitouch issues that cropped up after using accessibility magnification. Samsung Community
Among the new AI tools: Call Screening now picks up calls and keeps a transcript; Creative Studio brings generative images and stickers; Photo Assist gets a boost for editing photos; and Audio Eraser sees expanded compatibility with more third-party apps, according to SamMobile. SamMobile
Samsung isn’t stopping with the S25 when it comes to rolling out new features. According to SamMobile, the latest One UI 8.5 beta updates for the Galaxy S24 line and Galaxy Z Fold 7 bring in Creative Studio, Call Screening, upgraded Photo Assist, and a beefed-up Audio Eraser. Sammy Fans, on a separate note, mentioned that similar AI-powered tools are landing on both the Galaxy S24 family and Galaxy S25 FE beta builds. SamMobile
Back in March, the company announced One UI 8.5 beta would be available for a list of devices — Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy S25 FE, Galaxy S24 FE, and Galaxy Tab S11 — in specific markets. Wider rollout? April. Registration happens via the Samsung Members app, according to Samsung. Samsung Global Newsroom
An earlier comment from Samsung’s Won-Joon Choi, who heads the Mobile eXperience unit, shed a bit of light on the plan. Back in February, Choi described a Bixby overhaul aimed at “more natural interactions” and smoother device controls—essentially, cutting down hassle on daily tasks. According to Samsung, these Bixby upgrades are now live in One UI 8.5 across Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the U.S. Samsung Global Newsroom
Timing remains uncertain. Citing reports, a stable Galaxy S25 release in South Korea could land as soon as April 30, with broader distribution expected around May 4. But Samsung hasn’t set any public launch date, according to the latest materials. There’s another wrinkle: Some features may differ by model or region. It’s still not clear, SamMobile noted, if older phones like the Galaxy S23 series or the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will receive the full AI suite, a slimmed-down version, or nothing at all. Android Authority
At this stage, the update lands mostly with beta users. If you’ve got a Galaxy device running the One UI 8.5 beta, head to Settings and look for Software update. Anyone still on One UI 8 isn’t getting it yet—Samsung hasn’t pushed out the stable build. SamMobile
