Samsung's One UI 8.5 Beta program timeline revealed in fresh leak
Samsung is reportedly preparing to launch the beta program for One UI 8.5, the next major software update for eligible Galaxy phones and tablets. If the latest leaks are true, the official testing phase, which was initially expected to begin earlier than usual, could start very soon.
Sources are now pointing to December 8 as the launch date for the first phase of the One UI 8.5 beta program.
In response to a Twitter user sharing the alleged start date of the One UI 8.5 beta program—December 8—tech tipster Tarun Vats backed it up, offering more details about it.
According to the report, the rollout for One UI 8.5 beta will follow a segmented, multi-phase schedule common to major Samsung updates. The timeline could be the following:
- Phase 1 (December 8): The first beta build will reportedly reach four initial markets: the United States, the United Kingdom, Korea, and Germany.
- Phase 2 (December 22): Approximately two weeks later, the program is expected to expand to include two more regions: India and Poland. This date should also see the release of the One UI 8.5 Beta 2 update for users in the phase-one markets.
- Subsequent Builds (Early January): A One UI 8.5 Beta 3 build could arrive as early as January 5, 2026.
What to expect in One UI 8.5
For a few weeks now, early One UI 8.5 firmware builds for the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 7 have been leaking. This has revealed that the update is set to bring both visual and functional upgrades. Users can expect new features and visual design tweaks, in addition to new AI-powered features.
It's noteworthy that Samsung has not yet confirmed the dates for the One UI 8.5 Beta program. So, the timeline is subject to change. However, with sources aligning on an early December start, the wait for Galaxy users to test the latest One UI features could end soon.
