Samsung is reportedly adjusting its One UI update strategy, prioritizing the Galaxy S series over its foldable phones. The upcoming One UI 8.5, based on Android 16, is set to be unveiled at the Galaxy S26 launch event, anticipated between late January and early February 2026. Previously, One UI updates coincided with the release of the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series, but this changed with Android 16’s introduction. Samsung appears to be consolidating feature updates, aiming to allocate more time for refining these updates by aligning them with One UI X.5 releases. One UI 8.5 is expected to bring AI-driven features to compete with Google’s Pixel and Apple’s iOS, enhance software performance and stability, and introduce refined UI/UX design elements. This strategy potentially allows Samsung an additional 5-6 months to perfect features from the launch of its foldable phones to the Galaxy S release.