Samsung’s next major Android skin, One UI 8.5, is beginning to take shape. Though it’s not official yet, early builds have surfaced with noticeable UI tweaks and subtle feature upgrades aimed at refining the Galaxy experience.
One UI 8.5 brings a fresh layout to software updates
One of the first things users will notice in One UI 8.5 is the redesigned software update screen. Samsung has reorganized this interface to make it cleaner and easier to follow.
Now, the changelog sits at the top, followed by technical details and installation warnings. The updated wallpaper has also changed, and fans can even download it as a standalone image if they like the new look.
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New app folder animations in One UI 8.5
Tipster @tarunvats shared that One UI 8.5 introduces a new animation for opening and closing app folders. The motion is smoother, more fluid, and adds a small but welcome visual refresh to the home screen experience.
It’s not a huge change, but it helps the UI feel more refined without altering its core layout.
Lock screen responds to your touch
Another big win for One UI 8.5 is the updated lock screen and Always-On Display effects. As shared by @UniverseIce, the screen now reacts to taps with light animations that start exactly where you touch.
This change doesn’t just look good; it makes the phone feel more responsive and interactive.
More One UI 8.5 features may be coming soon
So far, Samsung’s leaked build includes:
- Cleaned up the software update screen
- New app folder open/close animation
- Lock screen light effect tied to touch location
- Updated Always-On Display visuals
- Fresh system wallpaper
These updates don’t reinvent the OS, but they point toward a thoughtful design push.
One UI 8.5 targets polish over flash
Samsung isn’t chasing radical changes with One UI 8.5, at least not yet. Instead, it’s focusing on detail work that sharpens the overall experience. Expect more subtle improvements to emerge before its expected early 2025 rollout.
For now, it’s the small things that make the system feel new again.
