Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Samsung has officially launched its One UI 8 beta program, and you can sign up to be among the first to test it out — if you have a compatible device.
In an announcement earlier this week, Samsung said the new platform, which is based on Android 16, would bring “a new era of software intelligence” to Galaxy devices along with several other upgrades. Here’s a look at what’s new and how you can join.
Which phones are eligible for the One UI 8 beta?
For now, the rollout is only for three devices in the S25 series – the S25, the S25 Plus, and the S25 Ultra. Sorry, S25 Edge owners. Samsung didn’t offer an explanation for why it left out the S25 Edge, but it could be because the phone is already facing criticism for its reduced battery life.
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This follows the same pattern as last year’s One UI 7 beta, which debuted for select S24 devices. One UI 8 will be available on Samsung’s newest foldable devices this summer and will gradually expand to other Galaxy devices later this year. One UI 7 was exclusive to the S24 for about three months, which was frustrating for fans with other devices, but that might not be the case this time around.
What’s new in Samsung One UI 8?
It’s no surprise that AI leads the way in terms of what’s new. Samsung says that the One UI 8 beta isn’t necessarily introducing any new features, but will enhance existing AI features that were first introduced in the Galaxy S25. You’ll notice changes in three ways: multimodal capabilities, a user experience tailored to different devices, and personalized, proactive suggestions.
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Samsung explains that the new multimodality will understand what you’re looking at or watching and be able to have natural, seamless communication about it, even understanding context about your daily routine. The “tailored to different devices” part essentially means that Samsung is making sure that tablets and foldable phones get a unique look that suits their design (much like Google did with Android 16).
Also new:
- Refreshed Quick Share: The Quick Share feature, which lets you send and receive files between compatible Galaxy devices, is getting a redesign that lets you share with a single tap.
- Redesigned Reminder app: Your Reminder app is getting a little more intuitive, especially for travel. You can now add categories to reminders and see all your categories at a glance, share to-do lists with other users, and add reminders with your voice.
- Easier Auracast: Auracast, which lets you broadcast audio to multiple devices (like Galaxy Buds3 and hearing aids) at the same time, is getting a little easier to use. You can now connect to a shared audio stream by simply scanning a QR code instead of going through a manual process.
How to sign up for the Samsung One UI 8 beta
If you have a Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, or S25 Ultra device, signing up for the One UI 8 beta is easy. Head to the Samsung Members app and find the “One UI Beta Program” banner.
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