- Samsung has launched the One UI 8 beta program for select Galaxy S25 series users in the U.S., Germany, Korea, and the U.K., based on Android 16.
- One UI 8 emphasizes multimodal AI, allowing the software to understand visual, textual, and contextual cues for personalized and proactive assistance, along with a tailored UX for different Galaxy form factors, including foldables.
- The launch of the One UI 8 beta signals Samsung's move towards a smarter, more seamless Galaxy experience with tighter hardware-software integration.
Samsung officially rolled out the One UI 8 beta program, which represents the start of its next-gen software experience. The beta is currently available to a limited number of Galaxy users in the US, Germany, Korea, and the UK, beginning with the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra.
One UI 8 powered by Android 16
Samsung’s One UI is a custom software platform built to simplify digital life across Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and foldables. The release of One UI 8 coincides with the company’s newest foldable lineup, launching later this summer. According to Samsung, the new interface is among the first to adopt Android 16, enabled by close collaboration with Google.
“Through open design and real-time feedback exchange with Google, we’ve optimized One UI 8 to deliver a more intelligent and personalized experience,” Samsung stated in the press release.
The beta version gives users early access to test the next phase of Samsung’s mobile software, with a full public release expected to roll out in the months following the official foldables launch.
Multimodal AI
At the heart of One UI 8 is an advanced multimodal AI engine capable of understanding visual, textual, and contextual cues simultaneously. This allows for more natural and seamless interactions across devices.
Three pillars define the AI enhancements in One UI 8:
- Multimodal capabilities for intelligent recognition of content on-screen
- Tailored UX optimized for various Galaxy form factors, including foldables
- Context-aware suggestions through features like Now Bar and Now Brief, which offer proactive tips and reminders based on user habits
Enhanced privacy and on-device processing
Security and privacy remain key priorities in One UI 8. The platform integrates Samsung Knox Vault, a hardware-based security solution that safeguards sensitive information in a secure, isolated environment.
Users will also have more control over their data, with new settings that allow them to process AI tasks on-device or via cloud-based systems. Samsung encourages transparency and user autonomy in how data is managed and used across services.
Everyday convenience and productivity boosts
Beyond AI, One UI 8 introduces a range of features designed to streamline daily life:
- Auracast support enables seamless audio sharing across Galaxy Buds and compatible hearing devices using Bluetooth LE Audio. Quick QR code pairing simplifies setup.
- Smart customer support via QR and NFC tags allows for faster service registration at repair centers, reducing paperwork and wait times.
- An upgraded Reminder app delivers a user-friendly interface, voice controls, and the ability to share task lists, ideal for travel or family planning.
- Improved Quick Share now lets users instantly transfer files with a single tap in the Quick settings panel, simplifying content sharing between devices.
