Samsung has launched its beta test of One UI 8, the company’s customized take on Android 16. The beta is available now on the Galaxy S25, Plus, and Ultra — though strangely not the new S25 Edge — for users in the US, UK, Germany, and South Korea.
Unsurprisingly, Samsung is emphasizing the OS update’s AI features, which purportedly include improved multimodal capabilities and more personalization. Despite that, the company’s announcement and update changelog are light on specific details of AI upgrades beyond speed improvements that make AI Select immediate to use, eliminating the previous start-up delay.
One UI 8 has also been “optimized for the unique form factors across the Galaxy product portfolio,” echoing Google’s emphasis on Android 16 improving performance and user experience on tablets and foldables. One such change is a new split-screen option to move one app partially off the screen to the edge while you focus on another, which sounds similar to the multitasking tools on the OnePlus Open.
Other changes include updates to the layout of Samsung’s Reminder app to make it easier to organize and share to-do lists; a simpler interface for Quick Share; and Android 16’s support for Auracast, an accessibility feature that allows hearing aids and some earbuds — including the Galaxy Buds 3 — to quickly connect to shared audio streams like public announcement systems or concert audio feeds.
The beta is available now through the Samsung Members app, and Samsung says that One UI 8 will launch this summer alongside its next generation of foldable phones, likely the Z Fold 7 and Flip 7.
The company says the new launch “initiates a new rhythm for Samsung’s software evolution with major UX and AI updates.” That’s certainly vague, but sounds like good news for fans frustrated by the protracted, months-long process for One UI 7 to reach most devices.
