Quick Recap
- One UI 8 Beta, based on Android 16, launched on May 28, 2025, for the Galaxy S25 series in the US, South Korea, UK, and Germany.
- Key features include enhanced Quick Share, smarter My Files, Bluetooth hearing aid support, Auracast for multi-device audio, improved alarm groups, redesigned apps, and enhanced security features.
- It’s a beta, so expect potential bugs like app crashes or battery drain; a stable release is expected around July or August 2025.
Samsung has officially launched the One UI 8 beta program, marking a significant milestone in the company’s software development journey. Built on Android 16, this latest version arrives earlier than any previous One UI version, thanks to Samsung’s strengthened partnership with Google. For Galaxy S25 series users in the US, UK, South Korea, and Germany, the beta testing experience is now live, offering a glimpse into the future of Samsung’s mobile ecosystem.
Let’s now talk about the key features that come with One UI 8:
1. Enhanced Productivity Features:
One UI 8 brings substantial improvements to productivity tools that users interact with daily. The revamped Quick Share feature makes file sharing effortless – just tap the Quick Share button in the Quick Settings panel to send and receive files. You can now receive files while the Quick Share screen is active and select files directly from Quick Share for instant sharing.
File management becomes more intuitive with the updated My Files app. You can now filter files by the apps that downloaded them, making it much easier to locate specific documents even without remembering exact filenames. This feature works well in both the Downloads and Recent Files sections.
Samsung Internet gets a fresh, user-friendly menu makeover. It makes accessing your favorite features quicker and easier, plus you can customize the layout to suit your style. Additionally, AI Select now responds instantly – with this feature, you can select the desired screen area immediately without any waiting time.
2. Multitasking and Display Capabilities:
Samsung DeX in One UI 8 Beta gets a big upgrade, making your Galaxy device feel like a powerful desktop. When you connect your phone to a monitor or TV, you can now pick high-quality display resolutions up to WQHD for crisp visuals. Plus, you can rotate the screen 90, 180, or 270 degrees to match your setup, whether working on a presentation or streaming a video.
The split-screen feature is also better than ever. You can run two apps at once and slide one to the edge of the screen to focus on your main task while keeping the other app visible. Switching between apps is super easy, just tap the smaller app to bring it back. These changes make multitasking smoother and give you more control over your desktop experience.
3. Smart Organization with Redesigned Reminder System
The Reminder app in One UI 8 Beta gets a fresh, user-friendly redesign. The new layout shows how many reminders are in each category right at the top, so you can quickly see what’s on your list. You can also fold or expand custom categories to keep your main screen organized just the way you like it.
Adding reminders is now super easy. Just type in the text field at the bottom, and the app suggests templates or past reminders to speed things up. You can create checklists, add locations, attach photos, or even record voice reminders with a tap of the microphone icon. Plus, a handy feature lets you skip notifications on weekends or holidays, so you won’t get bothered during your downtime.
4. Calendar Integration and Smart Scheduling:
The Calendar app in One UI 8 Beta makes planning easier and more seamless. You can now add reminders right from the Calendar app without jumping to another app. Just tap the “+” button to create events or reminders and drag them to adjust dates or times. It’s a simple way to stay organized.
The Quick Add menu is smarter, too, suggesting schedule names and times based on your existing calendar entries. Pick a suggestion, and it’s added instantly, no extra typing needed. Users can also turn on lunar date displays in the monthly view through Calendar Settings for added flexibility. Plus, like the Reminder app, you can skip notifications on holidays and weekends, keeping interruption-free.
5. Advanced Automation and Health:
Samsung’s One UI 8 Beta makes automation easier with new routine templates that use weather and other details to trigger actions. You can use these templates as they are or customize them to fit your needs. The system now pulls info from apps like Watch, Calendar, and Samsung Notes, giving you more options to create custom routines, like setting your phone to silent during meetings or adjusting settings based on the weather.
Samsung Health gets fun and practical upgrades too. The “Samsung Health Together” feature lets you challenge friends to running competitions, like racing to hit a 2km goal first. Plus, meal tracking is simpler with customizable reminders that ping you at set times to log your meals.
6. Communication and Camera Improvements:
The One UI 8 Beta makes creating profile cards easier with a revamped, user-friendly editing interface. You can now customize your profile card with a few taps, making it simple to share with others so they see your caller info during phone calls. It’s a quick way to add a personal touch to your calls.
Call management gets better too. Recorded calls now show up directly in your contact history, so you can easily listen past conversations without digging through menus. For camera users, One UI 8 adds a handy feature: swipe up or down anywhere on the camera screen to access quick controls. Just turn it on in Camera Settings under “Swipe up or down” options for faster, smoother shooting.
7. Enhanced Security and Accessibility:
One UI 8 Beta takes the Secure Folder to the next level. You can now hide app icons or turn off notifications when the folder is locked, keeping things private. For extra security, you can completely hide and encrypt the Secure Folder, protecting all your apps and data inside.
Accessibility also gets a boost. With the new screen zoom options, you can adjust the display by dragging with your finger or using a zoom level button. The Mouse Keys feature allows you to control the mouse with your keyboard, actions like moving the pointer, clicking, long-pressing, or scrolling. Plus, screen enlargement now includes keyboards, making typing easier for anyone who needs a larger, clearer interface.
8. Innovative Connectivity and Additional Features:
One UI 8 Beta brings Auracast, a cool feature that lets you share audio from your Galaxy device to multiple devices at once. Just scan a QR code to join someone’s audio stream or create your own code for others to connect.
Alarms are now easier to manage. You can add existing alarms to groups with a simple tap of the “+” button and control them from your home screen using new Alarm Groups widgets.
Visiting a Samsung Service Center? Quick check-ins via NFC or QR codes make the process smooth, no manual data entry needed.
The Weather app gets a fresh look with dynamic backgrounds that change based on the weather, like rain or sunshine. Note that switching to a new data provider might update some location names.
One UI 8 Beta is Samsung’s most ambitious update, packed with features to make your Galaxy device smarter and easier to use. It shows Samsung’s focus on improving user experience with a smooth, personalized Android interface. Expect the stable version this summer, likely with the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 launch, bringing together better productivity, stronger security, and intelligent automation for a seamless experience.
Have any questions? I am there for you, join me on X (@SamsungSWUpdate).
The post Here’s what Samsung’s next major Android update brings to your Galaxy device: 8 Key features in One UI 8 appeared first on Sammy Fans.
