Over the past year, Samsung’s One UI updates have taken an unusual turn. After the delayed and problematic release of One UI 7, which worried users about the reliability of future updates, Samsung has made significant improvements, as evidenced by One UI 8.5.
Two main factors contribute to the standout nature of One UI 8.5. Firstly, it showcases Samsung’s rapid recovery following the delays of One UI 7. Although One UI 7 was a major project, taking two to three years to plan, its delayed rollout and subsequent bugs raised concerns. However, Samsung quickly picked up the pace with One UI 8, releasing it earlier than previous major versions across all device categories, and launched the One UI 8.5 beta program by year-end. This shift demonstrates Samsung’s ability to accelerate development without sacrificing long-term planning.
Secondly, One UI 8.5 defies expectations for a mid-cycle update by introducing significant changes. While these updates typically offer minor tweaks, One UI 8.5 delivers noticeable visual enhancements and improvements across the interface and core apps. The Quick Panel is more customizable, stock apps have been redesigned, and various quality-of-life improvements are evident throughout the system. Unlike previous updates, One UI 8.5 feels more polished and substantial, building on the momentum of its predecessors and aligning with Google’s accelerated Android release schedule.
