Samsung's One UI 8.5 improvements for foldables like Galaxy Z Fold7 shown ahead of schedule in early video
Samsung has not officially confirmed the extent of changes it plans to roll out with its One UI 8.5 update yet. Nonetheless, next-generation AI features surfaced months ago inside a leaked build. Now, SamMobile has got their hands on an early version of the same update for the Galaxy Z Fold7 (curr. $1,599 on Amazon).
By the looks of things One UI 8.5 could bring plenty of changes to Samsung's foldables, despite being an interim update until One UI 9 arrives early next year. Given Samsung's recent release schedules, it will showcase One UI 9 with the Galaxy S26 series in late February before offering it to current-generation flagships shortly afterwards. In the meantime, the early look offers a hint of what is to come from One UI 8.5 on foldables.
For instance, the Phone app now brings up a pop-up dialer rather than a full-screen transition as on other One UI builds. Moreover, the notification and quick panel shades no longer take up the entire display and blur everything beneath them. Instead, they too have been shrunk to pop-ups that appear beneath wherever you trigger them.
On top of that, One UI 8.5 will improve quick panel customisation options while also refining system apps to provide a better one-handed experience. Unfortunately, a One UI 8.5 release date remains unknown for now. Please see the video above and the embedded tweet below for more details.
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