Samsung Galaxy S25 Gets One UI 8.5 β AirDrop, New AI Features and Fresh Design
What Is the One UI 8.5 Update for Galaxy S25?
Samsung is preparing to roll out the One UI 8.5 update to the Samsung Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra series. The official changelog appeared online on April 23, 2026 (according to 9to5Google), revealing new features including AirDrop support via Quick Share, enhanced Galaxy AI capabilities, and a refreshed interface design with transparent blur effects.
What New Features Does One UI 8.5 Bring?
The update delivers several major improvements for Galaxy S25 series users:
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
AirDrop via Quick Share | Direct file sharing between Samsung Galaxy and iPhone without third-party apps |
Enhanced Galaxy AI | Bixby-powered call screening, text-prompted photo editing |
Refreshed Design | Transparent blur effects and floating UI elements for a more modern visual experience |
Expanded Now Brief | Smarter and more comprehensive daily AI summaries |
AI Photo Editing | Image generation and editing using text prompts through photo assist |
How Does AirDrop Work on Samsung Galaxy S25?
This AirDrop feature uses Samsung's existing Quick Share protocol. With One UI 8.5, users of the Galaxy S25 256GB, Galaxy S25 Plus 256GB or Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB/512GB/1TB can send files directly to iPhone users without any additional apps.
According to early beta tester reports (per 9to5Google), the integration "works shockingly well" and makes the Samsung ecosystem more open. The feature was originally introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and is now being brought to the Galaxy S25 through a software update.
When Will One UI 8.5 Be Available?
The official launch date has not yet been confirmed by Samsung. However, the leaked changelog (build S931BXXU9CZDN) suggests the update could roll out within the coming days. The Galaxy S25 series previously only had beta access to One UI 8.5.
Samsung Galaxy S25 users in Malaysia can check for software updates via Settings > Software update > Download and install once the update is officially released.
Is This Update Worth It for Galaxy S25 Users?
Yes. The One UI 8.5 update is free and brings features that were previously exclusive to the Galaxy S26. For those considering the Samsung Galaxy S25 256GB (installments from RM145/month), this update means your phone will continue receiving Samsung's latest features without needing to upgrade.
