TL;DR
Samsung has started internal testing of One UI 8.5, its Android 16 QPR2-based build, on a broad range of Galaxy phones and tablets beyond the S25 series. The public beta remains limited to S25 owners in a handful of countries, and Samsung has not provided a firm timeline for a wider rollout.
What happened
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 — built on Android 16 QPR2 — has moved into internal testing for a large swath of Galaxy devices, according to builds appearing on company servers. While the public beta earlier this month was restricted to the Galaxy S25 lineup and a small set of markets, internal test images now cover multiple S, A and Z phones plus several Galaxy Tab models. Observers tracking firmware files (via SammyGuru) see numerous test builds for recent and older flagship and midrange devices. Samsung has not published a schedule for when the software will reach consumers, though industry coverage expects a stable One UI 8.5 release to coincide with the Galaxy S26 launch next year. The M and F series are not yet present on the test servers but are anticipated to be included later. S25 owners in specific countries can enroll in the beta through the Samsung Members app; broader availability appears to be months away.
Why it matters
- Internal test coverage across many models suggests Samsung may accelerate distribution of One UI 8.5 beyond flagship devices.
- One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16 QPR2, indicating incremental platform and security updates alongside new One UI features.
- Limited public beta availability means most Galaxy owners will need to wait for the wider rollout or stable release.
- Early inclusion of older S and A series devices hints at continued multi-year software support for Samsung hardware.
Key facts
- One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16 QPR2 and entered beta earlier this month.
- Public beta access has so far been limited to the Galaxy S25 series.
- Countries confirmed for the S25 beta sign-ups include South Korea, Germany, Poland, India, the US and the UK.
- Internal test builds have appeared for numerous models across S, A and Z series and several Galaxy Tab devices.
- Listed device families in testing include Galaxy S26/S25/S24/S23/S22 lines, A-series models (A57–A16), Z Fold/Flip models, and Tab S9/S10 families.
- M and F series devices are currently not present on the test servers.
- Observers (via SammyGuru) uncovered the internal builds; Samsung has not issued an official public timeline.
- Reporting suggests a stable One UI 8.5 release may ship with the Galaxy S26, but that has not been confirmed by Samsung.
- If you do not own an S25 device, source reporting advises waiting — public availability for other models may not arrive until early 2026.
What to watch next
- Samsung’s official timeline for a wider One UI 8.5 rollout (not confirmed in the source).
- When M and F series devices appear on the test servers and are enrolled in testing (not confirmed in the source).
- Whether Samsung releases One UI 8.5 as a stable update alongside the Galaxy S26 (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- One UI: Samsung’s Android-based user interface that provides custom features and visual design layered atop the Android operating system.
- Android 16: A version of Google’s Android operating system; vendors often release customized builds and security updates on top of it.
- QPR2: Quarterly Platform Release 2 — an incremental update to an Android release that typically bundles security patches and platform fixes.
- Beta testing: Pre-release testing where a limited number of users try new software to find bugs and provide feedback before public deployment.
- Samsung Members: An app and community platform Samsung uses to distribute beta software, provide support resources, and gather user feedback.
Reader FAQ
Which Galaxy devices are currently in One UI 8.5 internal testing?
Internal builds have been observed for many S, A and Z series phones and several Tab S9/S10 models; the full list in reporting includes multiple S24/S23/S22 devices, A16–A57 range models, Z Fold/Flip generations and Tab S9/S10 families.
Can I join the One UI 8.5 beta now?
Only Galaxy S25 owners can join the public beta in selected countries via the Samsung Members app; broader enrollment for other models is not yet available.
Which countries can access the S25 beta?
Reportedly South Korea, Germany, Poland, India, the United States and the United Kingdom.
When will One UI 8.5 reach all eligible Samsung phones?
Not confirmed in the source; reporting expects a stable release around the Galaxy S26 launch, but Samsung has not provided a schedule.
One UI 8.5 internal testing goes live for a long list of Galaxy devices By Karandeep Singh Oberoi Published 18 minutes ago Karandeep Singh Oberoi is a Durham College Journalism…
Sources
- One UI 8.5 internal testing goes live for a long list of Galaxy devices
- One UI 8.5 under testing for these Samsung phones
- Samsung Launches One UI 8.5 Beta for Next-Level Ease of …
- Samsung is testing One UI 8.5 on these Galaxy devices
Related posts
- Five essential Mac apps I install right away on every new Mac setup
- The best distraction blockers to jumpstart your focus in the new year
- I dislike Galaxy AI, but Samsung’s Now Bar finally won me over