Samsung has officially initiated its One UI 8.5 beta program, marking a significant departure from previous years by extending early access beyond its flagship foldable lineup. Based on Android 16 QPR2, the latest update is now being tested across a broader range of hardware, including the high-end Galaxy S-series and, for the first time in a minor update cycle, mid-range Galaxy A-series handsets. The program is currently live in six key global markets: India, South Korea, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The expansion indicates Samsung's intent to streamline its software delivery across various price segments. By involving a more diverse user base in the testing phase, the company aims to refine the user experience and identify potential bugs across different hardware configurations before the stable public release. Samsung One UI 9 Release Date: Upcoming Android 17-Based OS Testing Leaked, Includes New 'Ask AI' Feature, Says Report.

Samsung Galaxy Devices Eligible for One UI 8.5 Beta Program

The following Samsung Galaxy devices are currently eligible to participate in the One UI 8.5 beta program:

  • Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

  • Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

  • Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5

  • Samsung Galaxy A36

Samsung has indicated that this list is expected to grow in the coming weeks as additional devices are integrated into the testing phase.

One UI 8.5 Enrollment Process via Samsung Members

Users with eligible devices in supported regions can join the beta through the Samsung Members application. After signing in with a valid Samsung account, participants must locate and tap the "One UI Beta Program" banner to begin the enrollment process. Once the terms and conditions are accepted, the beta software can be accessed via the standard system update menu under Settings.

It is important to note that beta software often contains bugs and may lead to performance instability. Samsung strongly advises users to perform a full backup of all critical data before proceeding with the installation.

Samsung One UI 8.5 Availability

The One UI 8.5 update is built upon the Android 16 QPR2 (Quarterly Platform Release) framework, focusing on performance optimisations and incremental feature upgrades. While flagship devices traditionally receive these updates first, the inclusion of the Galaxy A36 suggests that Samsung is prioritising software parity for its popular mid-range models. Samsung to Expand One UI 8.5 Beta to Galaxy S24 Series and 2024 Foldables.

Currently, the beta remains geographically restricted. Users outside of the six designated launch markets will not see the enrollment banner in the Samsung Members app, even if they own a supported device. Broad availability for the stable version of One UI 8.5 is expected to follow later this year after the beta testing period concludes.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 10, 2026 12:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).