Samsung Launches One UI 8.5: AI Features Extend to Older Galaxy Phones

Samsung started the One UI 8.5 OTA rollout on 30 April 2026 in South Korea; global distribution begins early May, targeting May 4. The update is free and adds AI tools and security enhancements.

Samsung Galaxy users could be getting a free features upgrade

Samsung says all Galaxy S22 and newer phones receive One UI 8.5. Full AI suite (Call Screening, Advanced Audio Eraser, Creative Studio, Photo Assist, AI Select, natural-language Bixby) is confirmed for the S24 FE and flagship S24-S26 models. The S23 series gets Bixby upgrades and Photo Assist but lacks Audio Eraser, Creative Studio, and Call Screening. The S23 FE receives only privacy alerts and bug fixes. Devices older than S22 are excluded. Samsung attributes the cut-off to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Exynos 2400e NPUs required for on-device generative AI.

ForbesSamsung Galaxy users could be getting a free features upgradeBoy Genius Report

Samsung’s release note states One UI 8.5 “strengthens device protection” and gives users clearer control over security settings. The company confirmed a Korea-first rollout with “expansion … in the coming days and weeks for all users.” Samsung explained that the limited AI set on the S23 series reflects a hardware cutoff tied to the 2024 launch of Galaxy AI.

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Community analyst SammyFans called the testing program “the most criticised software testing campaign Samsung has ever launched.” Analysts also note that Samsung’s security patches still lag behind Google Pixel’s rapid updates, and some users question the value of backporting AI tools to older hardware.

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TechAdvisor lists “Galaxy S22 and newer” as eligible, while Forbes notes partial AI support for the S23 series and BGR cites tipster Tarun Vats for a broader device list. No official schedule confirms when, or if, the full AI suite will reach the S23 FE or pre-S22 models.

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• “strengthens device protection,” Samsung says, “and gives users clearer control over their security settings.” — Samsung spokesperson

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• “Per SammyFans, “based on leaks, the company is poised to release this firmware update to all Galaxy S25 series users starting April 30.” — SammyFans, community member

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• “based on leaks, the company is poised to release this firmware update to all Galaxy S25 series users starting April 30. The program kicked off in early December and has seen 10 beta releases so far. Making it the most criticised software testing campaign Samsung has ever launched.” — Forbes analysis

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• “MORE FOR YOU The divide likely comes down to hardware.” — Jay McGregor, Forbes reporter

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Samsung will watch performance on the S24 FE and may backport the full AI suite to the S23 FE if hardware permits. Bug fixes and stability patches will continue through 2026, and industry watchers anticipate further AI backports as newer Snapdragon and Exynos processors become standard.

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