Samsung has officially kicked off the global rollout of its highly anticipated One UI 8.5 software update, bringing next-generation Galaxy AI capabilities, deeper system customisation, and a more polished user interface to millions of users worldwide.
This mid-cycle feature drop, based on Android 16, aims to bridge the gap before the upcoming Android 17 transition later this year by delivering enhanced photo-editing tools, a completely revamped Quick Panel, and a smoother, more immersive interface where navigation and status bars blend seamlessly into the background.
Unsurprisingly, Samsung is prioritising its flagship and recent foldable lineups for this rollout. Users with devices from the last three generations can expect the update to hit their notification shades throughout May and June.
The premium eligibility tier features a robust lineup, led by the cutting-edge Galaxy S26 series (including the S26 Ultra), the Galaxy S25 series, and the S25 FE. It also extends backward to fully embrace the Galaxy S24 series, S24 FE, the entire Galaxy S23 series, and the S23 FE.
Crucially, the update breathes new life into older generations as well. The entire Galaxy S22 lineup (S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra) is firmly on the upgrade path, while the Galaxy S21 FE stands as the sole survivor of its generation to make the cut.
On the foldable and tablet front, Samsung is blanketing its premium ecosystem by deploying One UI 8.5 to the Galaxy Z TriFold, Z Fold SE, Z Fold7, Z Flip7, Z Flip7 FE, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, and Z Flip5, while also extending coverage to the older Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4.
Tablet users will see the software land on everything from the veteran Galaxy Tab S8 series all the way up to the current flagship Galaxy Tab S11 series, with even the budget-conscious 2024 Galaxy Tab S6 Lite included in the rollout.
These premium devices will gain full access to advanced studio-level photo assistance features, allowing users to alter image moods, add digital props, or remove background objects using deep-learning generative AI prompts.
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At the same time, Samsung is moving at an incredibly brisk pace to ensure its mid-tier and budget ecosystems aren't sidelined, scheduling a vast, interconnected lineup of A, M, and F-series smartphones to receive the One UI 8.5 architecture.
Notable inclusions on the global mid-range rollout list are the Galaxy A73, A56, A36, A55, A54, A35, A34, A53, and A33. Even the brand’s highly accessible entry-level tier will be modernised, with models like the A06, A07, A15, A16, A17, A24, A25, and A26 scheduled for the upgrade.
This aggressive support strategy carries over to the M and F series as well, making the software available to the Galaxy M56, M55, M55s, M54, M53, M36, M35, M34, M33, M17, M16, M15, M07, and M06, alongside a massive F-series contingent composed of the Galaxy F70e, F56, F55, F54, F36, F34, F17, F16, F15, F07, and F06.
Budget tablet users haven't been forgotten either, as Samsung is preparing releases for the Galaxy Tab A11, A11+, Tab A9, and A9+, while keeping industrial users current by targeting the rugged Galaxy Tab Active 5 and Active 5 Pro. Similarly, the durable XCover lineup secures its place in the modern era with confirmed availability for the Galaxy XCover 7, XCover 7 Pro, and XCover 6 Pro.
While some of the hardware-restricted Galaxy AI features may be scaled back on these entry-level and mid-range models due to processor limitations, these more affordable devices will still benefit heavily from the core visual overhaul. This includes a refreshed look and feel with updated three-dimensional visuals, improved lock screen personalisation, and the freedom to add, delete, resize, and move components within a highly customisable Quick Panel.
Despite this incredibly wide net, the rollout has exposed a massive logical contradiction within Samsung's regional messaging that has left the tech community deeply confused. A leaked official roadmap from Samsung Hong Kong outlines a noticeable gap in the update schedule by revealing that the Galaxy S21 series is conspicuously missing from its regional eligibility sheets. According to the roadmap, because these 2021 devices were launched under Samsung's older four-year major OS upgrade guarantee, their journey with major feature drops effectively concludes with the base Android 16 and One UI 8.0 version.
Furthermore, even as these older flagships approach the sunset of their major feature pipelines, Samsung has re-confirmed it will continue to back them with monthly security patches and Google Play System updates through 2027, ensuring banking apps, personal data, and day-to-day operations remain entirely secure.
For all eligible devices, the One UI 8.5 rollout is currently deploying in phases. Users can manually check for the update by navigating to the software update section in their device settings.
