With Google anticipated to push out its subsequent main Android replace to its personal Pixel telephones someday subsequent month, Samsung is catching up: Its top-end telephones received updates to One UI 7 (primarily based on Android 15) this yr, and now the beta model of One UI 8 (primarily based on Android 16) is obtainable for those who personal a Galaxy S25 cellphone and stay within the U.S., UK, Germany, or South Korea.
Whereas there are not any revolutionary new options right here—at the least, not thus far—Samsung is promising “a brand new period of software program intelligence” and “a real multimodal AI agent” (which so far as I can inform, means a number of tweaks to the Now Bar and the Now Temporary).
Credit score: Lifehacker
Should you’re in an eligible nation and have an eligible machine, then you may be a part of the One UI 8 beta now. The same old caveats about beta software program apply: Bugs are to be anticipated, and also you should not run betas on gadgets that you just depend on (you could discover sure apps crash or do not work correctly).
Easy methods to be a part of the One UI 8 beta
Open up the Samsung Members app in your cellphone (you may redownload it for those who’ve beforehand uninstalled the app), and check in utilizing your Samsung account particulars. Scroll down the Uncover tab, and someplace on it you must see a Beta Program panel you may faucet on.
From there, faucet One UI 8 S25 Beta, learn by means of the data offered, and faucet Be a part of. After a number of moments, you may get affirmation that you just’re in, and you will see a display the place you may Verify for software program updates. As soon as the software program is prepared, you may be prompted to reboot your cellphone to put in it.
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As but, Samsung hasn’t stated something but about which different telephones would possibly be capable of be a part of the beta, however contemplating One UI 8 is anticipated to launch in full round July time—with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, likely—this system may not be prolonged a lot additional past Galaxy S25 handsets.
You’ll be able to go away the One UI 8 beta at any time by tapping Beta Program > One UI 8 S25 Beta within the Members app, then the three dots (high proper), then Go away One UI 8 S25 Beta.
What’s new in One UI 8
There’s official info from Samsung about what’s new in One UI 8, plus options that customers have already noticed throughout testing. Keep in mind that options can come and go throughout testing, so none of those adjustments are assured to nonetheless be in place as soon as One UI 8 is prepared for mass adoption.
There is a Bluetooth improve with Auracast, for sharing audio streams to a number of gadgets, in addition to improved Fast Share capabilities: full screens for sending and receiving information, and QR code switch assist. You may get to Fast Share by means of a single faucet on the button in Fast Settings.
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Some apps are getting visible overhauls. They embrace Climate, which adopts a much less cartoony aesthetic with extra translucent parts, and Information, which provides a lately edited row and shifts some parts round. Reminders additionally will get a little bit of an overhaul, with the introduction of advised reminders and extra class filters on the high (like Accomplished and Place).
You will discover a revamped menu within the Samsung Web app too, for those who faucet on the three horizontal traces within the decrease proper nook. Shortcuts could be personalized and pages could be shared extra simply, and—like One UI 8 typically—the general interface feels just a little extra fashionable and contemporary.
Samsung says it is added extra decision choices for Samsung DeX, and there are extra preset routines to select from in Modes and Routines on the Settings menu. There are enhancements to the Safe Folder as properly: Apps can now be moved there and hidden from the app drawer, and the Safe Folder will also be utterly hidden.
Credit score: Lifehacker
Customers are recognizing all types of different adjustments: Earbud controls on the lock display, extra customization for dwelling display widgets, further choices for split-screen mode, and a bunch of different minor tweaks. Little doubt extra of those will emerge because the beta testing continues.
As for Galaxy AI, I can not see an excessive amount of that is modified. It seems that the Now Bar is ready to present calls and Do Not Disturb modes now, however that is about it. It might be there’s extra to return right here: Hidden code suggests you may quickly be capable of get your Now Temporary learn out to you, however the characteristic hasn’t gone stay but.
