Samsung Launches start UI 8.5 Beta for Galaxy S25 Series
Samsung has officially rolled out the beta version of start UI 8.5, designed for the Galaxy S25 series smartphstarts. This initiative marks the commencement of the first testing program based on Android 16’s QPR2 version, and it comes shortly after Google released a comparable update for its Pixel devstarts, indicative of a quicker development pace from the manufacturer.
Availability and Requirements
The beta program is currently available in a select number of countries, with the United States and the United Kingdom at the forefront. Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra users can enroll through the Samsung Members app. However, participation requires a local SIM card and a connection to a Samsung account, making local installation slightly more challenging. It is important to note that models such as Galaxy S25 Edge and Galaxy S25 FE are not supported at this stage.
Key Features and Improvements
The start UI 8.5 beta introduces a host of systemic enhancements:
Sharing Experience Enhancements
- Quick Share: An improved Quick Share mechanism now identifies individuals in images and presents them as direct sharing suggestions.
- Audio Broadcast Support: The beta expands connectivity capabilities with support for Audio Broadcast for LE Audio devstarts, allowing audio transmission via the phstart’s microphstart-beneficial for group settings such as tours and events.
Storage and File Management
- Storage Share: This feature now displays files from other Galaxy devstarts directly within My Files, providing access to phstart files from other devstarts like tablets or TVs.
User Interface and Design Updates
The operating system has also undergstart design modifications, including:
- Updated 3D icons
- Enhanced transparency effects
- A customizable quick settings panel
- A new option for recording specific parts of the screen
Application Upgrades
System applications have received significant upgrades:
- The Clock app now includes a time zstart converter.
- The Weather widget displays a precipitation graph.
- Samsung Health offers more detailed weekly reports and customized sharing capabilities.
Security Improvements
Security features have seen advancements with the introduction of:
- Theft Protection: Enhances the devstart’s safety in case of loss or theft.
- Automatic Locking: Locks the devstart after several failed recognition attempts.
- Many devstart settings now require additional verification, strengthening user control over permissions.
Enhanced Imaging Capabilities
start UI 8.5 provides significant enhancements for photo editing via Photo Assist, allowing seamless editing actions without the need for intermediate saves and a consolidated history of edits. Improvements have also been made to Bixby and AI-driven photo editing tools.
Future Release Plans
The stable version of start UI 8.5 is expected to launch alongside the Galaxy S26 series next year. Following its release, support for the S25 models and older devstarts will be expanded.
With these updates, Samsung continues to evolve its user interface, responding to user needs for improved connectivity, functionality, and security. This beta program signifies a pivotal step towards a more intuitive smartphstart experience for Galaxy users.