Upcoming user interface update, One UI 8.5, hints at iOS-reminiscent visuals in tandem with the Galaxy S26 launch
Samsung is currently internally testing its first builds of One UI 8.5, the latest iteration of its user interface, with some intriguing changes already visible. A developer known as "XDA Recognized Developer" or "Samsung_Galaxy_Doctor" on the XDA Developers forum has managed to port an internal One UI 8.5 build to a Galaxy S21+, giving us an early glimpse of the upcoming update.
One of the noticeable changes in One UI 8.5 is the design, which seems to be moving towards a look closer to Google's preferred Android design with the finalization of Material 3 Expressive. The menu overflowing and fading out along the top and bottom of the page, as well as the visual similarities between the settings menu and iOS 26, particularly in the floating search bar and back buttons, suggest this evolution.
Another significant change is the positioning of the back button, which now floats within its own space in the top-left corner, and the AI-powered search bar in settings, which now floats above the menu system. A persistent search bar also sticks around on the main page at the bottom of the screen, providing quick access to search functions.
Interestingly, the top tab, where the search icon and the "Settings" label once existed, have been removed in One UI 8.5. Instead, the search bar now takes centre stage, floating above the menu system.
The final release of One UI 8.5 is expected to coincide with the release of the Galaxy S26 next year, and it is anticipated that the software will eventually expand to older smartphones as well. However, the evolution of One UI 8.5's design remains uncertain and will depend on the passage of time.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore the changes and features in Samsung's One UI 8.5.
