Samsung has commenced the rollout of the One UI 8.5 beta for various Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S23, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, among others. This update is being delivered in phases across areas such as India, Korea, the U.K., and the U.S. Users with compatible devices can sign up for the beta program via the Samsung Members app and look for updates in Settings.
One UI 8.5 presents new features, comprising refreshed icons, revamped apps, improved Quick Settings, and additional lock screen customization options. Furthermore, it includes functionalities like Shared Storage, enabling users to access files on their Galaxy smartphones through Samsung TVs. Nonetheless, the beta currently does not provide AirDrop support via Quick Share for the newly introduced devices, a feature that is available for newer models such as the Galaxy S25 and S24 series.
Samsung’s move to extend the beta to encompass the A series, specifically the Galaxy A36, represents a notable advancement since these devices generally receive only stable updates. Although the absence of AirDrop support for these devices is acknowledged, the update nonetheless delivers considerable enhancements and customization opportunities for users.