What’s happened? Samsung’s next big software update for Galaxy smartphones, One UI 8.5, could enter its first public beta phase in the second week of December.
- X user @tarunvats33 claims that the One UI 8.5 public beta will be rolled out in phases.
- The first phase, or Beta 1, will roll out to users in the United States, the United Kingdom, Korea, and Germany on December 8, 2025.
- The second phase, or Beta 2, will roll out to users in India and Poland beginning December 22, 2025.
Exclusive 👀I’m hearing the same from my sources — One UI 8.5 Beta 2 is expected around 22nd Dec, and Beta 3 around 5th Jan.This means:• Phase 1 users could get it on 8th Dec• Phase 2 users may get the One UI 8.5 beta on 22nd DecPhase 1: US, UK, Korea, GermanyPhase 2:… https://t.co/cu88FoieSH
— Tarun Vats (@tarunvats33) November 26, 2025
Why is this important? Samsung could release the third One UI 8.5 beta around January 5, 2026.
- This update becomes even more critical following the discovery of a beta version of the upcoming software update on Samsung’s test servers.
- Before any other handsets, the update could arrive on the Galaxy S25 series, including the vanilla S25, the S25 Plus, and the S25 Ultra.
- Launching a public beta so early gives the company a chance to test the new build with a broader user base, further helping catch bugs, optimize performance, and ensure battery stability before a public launch.
Why should I care? For Samsung’s device ecosystem, this could signal a shift toward a timely update cadence and more frequent improvements.
- If you own a recent Galaxy device, such as a Galaxy S25 or the latest generation of Galaxy Z foldables, you could soon get access to the One UI 8.5 beta.
- Beta users are among the first to experience the new UI changes, improved performance, and added features.
- This also means the One UI 8.5 public release could coincide with the Galaxy S26 launch, with eligible devices receiving it in a timely manner.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
OK, what’s next? We’ll likely see the first beta of One UI 8.5 roll out on December 8, unless the company encounters unforeseen issues and pushes it back.
- Keep an eye on the official announcements from Samsung or participating channels to stay informed about the beta’s arrival.
- After the first beta, expect a few more builds before a stable public release.
- Once the stable version rolls out, Samsung could expand its availability to devices beyond the Galaxy S series.
