Samsung has officially opened its One UI 8.5 beta program, marking a notable shift in how the company handles early software testing for Galaxy devices. Unlike several recent beta releases that were either limited in scope or focused mainly on foldable phones, this year’s program follows a more traditional rollout and is open across multiple regions.
The One UI 8.5 beta will be available in six markets: the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, Poland, and India. This broader geographic reach signals Samsung’s intent to gather more diverse feedback ahead of the stable release.
At launch, the beta program is limited to the Galaxy S25 lineup. Supported models include the
- Galaxy S25
- Galaxy S25+
- Galaxy S25 Ultra
Other variants in the series, such as the Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S25 Edge, are not yet included. Samsung has followed a similar approach in the past by prioritising its flagship models before expanding access.
While the initial device list is short, Samsung is expected to add more eligible models as testing progresses. Previous One UI beta programs have often expanded beyond the first wave, suggesting that additional Galaxy phones could gain access in the coming weeks or months.
One UI updates traditionally accompany new Android versions, but Samsung has also experimented with beta programs for incremental One UI releases that retain the same Android base. With One UI 8.5, the company appears to be blending both strategies—offering a full-scale beta while maintaining tighter control over supported hardware in the early stages.
Samsung has not yet confirmed a timeline for when the beta will extend to other devices or when the final version of One UI 8.5 will be released. For now, Galaxy S25 owners in supported regions are the first to test the update and provide feedback that will shape its wider rollout.
