In December, beta testing of One UI 8.5 will start: insider revealed Samsung's plans

Information that Samsung will start testing the One UI 8.5 firmware at the end of November has not been confirmed, however, it is now known that the Korean company will not delay the start of this process, and in December, the first users will be able to evaluate the updated interface based on Android 16.

What is known

Insider Tarun Vats shared exclusive information about the beta testing schedule of One UI 8.5.

According to him, it will take place in three stages:

• Stage 1 will start on December 8, and the beta version will be released in the USA, UK, South Korea, and Germany.
• Stage 2 will begin on December 22 — the beta version will become available for testing in India and Poland. On the same day, participants of the first stage will receive the One UI 8.5 Beta update.
• Stage 3 is expected on January 5 with the release of One UI 8.5 Beta 3.

Previously, there was information that One UI 8.5 will include a Private Display feature that limits screen visibility at different angles so that outsiders cannot view information on the smartphone. Significant interface improvements, new animations, and increased smoothness are also expected.

The first devices with pre-installed One UI 8.5 will be Galaxy S26 smartphones, which will be released at the beginning of 2026.

Source: @tarunvats33