On the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung unveils One UI 8 with Android 16 beta

During its I/O 2025 conference earlier this month, Google gave customers a sneak peek at the upcoming Android 16 version. Shortly after, the company started releasing a public beta for Pixel and a few other Android devices in advance of the official release, which is anticipated to occur in the third quarter of the year.

Later, Samsung released the One UI 8 beta for its flagship devices, which is based on Android 16. This upcoming iteration of One UI promises a completely revamped interface and has been carefully optimized to enhance the user experience across various device types and display configurations.

Samsung explained that the new update incorporates “intelligent multimodality,” enabling natural and smooth interaction with AI that can interpret what the user is currently viewing or watching. The overhauled user experience is crafted to complement the diverse range of Galaxy products, aimed at improving productivity and day-to-day efficiency.

Galaxy AI is also taking a step forward in One UI 8, with features such as the Now Bar and Now Brief offering more tailored insights and prompts to help users stay organized and focused throughout their daily routines. These tools deliver contextual, AI-curated updates and assistance.

A standout feature of One UI 8 is the increased transparency and control it gives users over how their data is managed for AI processing. Basic queries are handled by Google’s on-device Gemini Nano AI model, ensuring data privacy without the need for internet access. More sophisticated tasks, however, will rely on the more powerful Gemini Pro and Gemini Advanced models, which require cloud connectivity. In this regard, Samsung has included settings that allow users to decide whether they want to keep AI processing strictly on-device or permit cloud access when needed.

One UI 8 also enhances file and audio sharing capabilities. It introduces Auracast, a new Bluetooth LE Audio-based broadcasting technology, which simplifies audio streaming via QR code scanning. This allows seamless connection across multiple Auracast-compatible devices, such as the upcoming Galaxy Buds3 and certain hearing aids. Additionally, file transfers between phones will become even more effortless, as a single tap of the Quick Share button in the Quick Settings panel will initiate sharing. The built-in Reminder app is also getting updated with more advanced features for better utility.

In some areas, such as Germany, South Korea, the UK, and the US, the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra devices can now access the beta version of One UI 8. Furthermore, Samsung announced that One UI 8 will be pre-installed on its next generation of Galaxy Z foldables, arriving before the S25 series and earlier models.