Every Budget Galaxy Phone Getting One UI 8.5 in June 2026 (And the New Features That Matter)

The 5 Most Important New Features in One UI 8.5

One UI 8.5 is much more than a security patch. It introduces a suite of AI-powered and user-experience upgrades derived from Android 16 that meaningfully change how you can use your phone.

1. AI Call Screening

When an unknown number calls, Bixby can now answer on your behalf. The AI assistant asks the caller who they are and why they're calling, displaying a live transcript on your screen. You can then decide to pick up, ignore, or send the caller to voicemail, all without the other person knowing Bixby handled the initial interaction .

2. Partial Screen Recorder

A new recording option lets you capture only a selected portion of the screen. This is a significant upgrade for anyone creating tutorials or recording app content, as it eliminates the need to crop out notifications and other UI elements after recording .

3. Expanded Audio Eraser

Previously a gallery feature, Audio Eraser is now system-wide. It can intelligently separate and remove specific background noises like wind, crowds, and traffic while preserving voice focus. A new "Voice Focus" mode specifically isolates speech from ambient sounds across more apps .

4. Creative Studio Wallpaper Generator

A new AI tool within Creative Studio lets you generate custom wallpapers and stickers from simple text prompts or reference images. You can adjust the mood of a photo, add or remove objects, or create AI-generated invitations and stickers directly on the device .

5. Redesigned Quick Settings

The Quick Settings panel gets a full visual overhaul with Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive design. The new layout features larger, resizable tiles and sliders, all optimized for easier one-handed operation .

Camera Assistant Arrives on Mid-Range Devices

Camera Assistant, the granular camera-control tool previously exclusive to flagship Galaxy S and Z series, is now available on select A-series and other mid-range devices. This provides advanced control over auto HDR, shutter speed, and picture softening on more affordable phones, though availability may vary by region .

Other Notable Additions

• Now Brief / Now Nudge: A context-aware lock screen feature that proactively surfaces relevant information based on your time, location, and usage habits .
• Photo Assist Upgrades: An iterative AI editing history button lets you revert or tweak a series of edits .
• Lock Screen Customization: New font options and transparency controls for the lock screen clock .
• Storage Share: An improved cross-platform file sharing feature for non-Samsung devices .

The Complete One UI 8.5 Rollout Timeline

A Closer Look at 'Awesome Intelligence'

Mid-range and budget A, M, and F series devices receive a tailored version of Galaxy AI features branded as Awesome Intelligence. This subset is optimized for less powerful hardware but still delivers the core AI tools, including Creative Studio, Audio Eraser, and AI Call Screening .