Leaked One UI 8.5 Reveals Significant Design Overhaul for Samsung Devices

Samsung's forthcoming One UI 8.5 update introduces substantial design modifications and new functionalities across its native applications. A leaked video by user ThatDev (@Feruzbek_101) displays a Galaxy device operating on One UI 8.5, revealing updates to the home screen, Settings, Device Care, Galaxy Themes, and Studio apps.

The home screen maintains its existing app icon design, app drawer, widgets, and folders. However, the app launcher's version has been updated from 17.0.x in One UI 8.0 to 17.5.x in One UI 8.5.

In the Settings app, the Software Update section now prominently displays the current One UI version at the top, with the 'Check for updates' option relocated to the bottom of the screen. This contrasts with the previous navigation path: Settings » Software update » Download and install.

The Phone app undergoes a significant redesign. The tabs for Dialer, Call Log, and Contacts are now housed in a pill-shaped dock at the bottom of the screen, rather than spanning the entire width. Additionally, the call button features a drop shadow effect absent in One UI 8.0. A new feature, Direct Voicemail, similar to iOS 18's Live Voicemail, offers live transcription of voicemails.

Galaxy Themes introduces a new splash screen featuring a large paintbrush icon. The app is divided into two sections: Gallery and My Stuff, with four tabs: Themes, Backgrounds, Wallpapers, and AODs.

The built-in video editing app, Studio, adopts a more compact navigation bar at the bottom, providing additional space for content. A new 'Stories' tab complements the existing 'Pictures,' 'Albums,' and 'Search' tabs found in One UI 8.0.

Device Care also receives a comprehensive UI redesign. Indicators for memory, storage, and battery levels are now wider and display percentage figures. The emoji representing device condition in One UI 8.0 is replaced by text in One UI 8.5.

These updates suggest Samsung's commitment to enhancing user experience through thoughtful design changes and feature additions in its upcoming One UI 8.5 release.