Samsung Expands One UI 8.5 Beta to Galaxy S23 Series, Fold5, Flip5 and A36 5G in India and Global Markets

Samsung has expanded its One UI 8.5 beta program to additional Galaxy devices, allowing more users to test the upcoming software update before its full public release. The expansion represents the next phase of Samsung’s ongoing effort to refine the software and gather feedback from a broader group of Galaxy users across different device categories.

The new beta rollout follows earlier testing phases that began with newer flagship models earlier this year. By extending the program to older flagship phones and even a mid-range device, Samsung is significantly widening the scope of testing ahead of the final release of One UI 8.5.

More Galaxy Phones Now Eligible for the Beta

According to Samsung, the latest expansion of the One UI 8.5 beta program includes the following devices:

• Galaxy S23
• Galaxy S23+
• Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Galaxy S23 FE
• Galaxy Z Fold5
• Galaxy Z Flip5
• Galaxy A36 5G

This marks a notable milestone because the Galaxy A36 5G becomes the first device in Samsung’s A-series lineup to receive the One UI 8.5 beta, which traditionally has been limited to premium flagship models.

The inclusion of devices launched several years ago also shows Samsung’s continued support for its existing user base and its efforts to ensure that older hardware receives the latest software improvements.

Availability and Rollout Regions

The expanded beta program is not launching everywhere simultaneously. Instead, Samsung is rolling out the update in phases across select regions.

The initial availability includes:

• India
• South Korea
• United Kingdom
• United States

Some models will have more limited regional access. For example, the beta program for Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 is reported to be available only in South Korea and the United States, while the Galaxy A36 5G beta rollout is currently limited to India.

Users who own eligible devices can enroll in the beta program through the Samsung Members app.

Features and Improvements in One UI 8.5

Although Samsung continues to refine the software through beta testing, One UI 8.5 introduces several enhancements aimed at improving usability and performance. These include:

• Updated icons and redesigned apps
• Improvements to the Quick Settings panel
• Additional lock screen customization options
• System stability and bug fixes

These updates are part of Samsung’s broader effort to enhance the user experience while aligning with the latest Android features.

Another major addition is enhanced file-sharing capabilities, including support for AirDrop-style sharing through Quick Share, enabling smoother cross-platform file transfers between compatible devices.

Earlier Beta Rollouts and Development Timeline

The One UI 8.5 beta program originally began with newer flagship devices. Earlier testing phases included models such as:

• Galaxy S24 series
• Galaxy S25 FE
• Galaxy Z Fold6
• Galaxy Z Flip6
• Galaxy Tab S11 series

These earlier beta releases allowed Samsung to identify bugs and refine system performance before expanding the program to a wider range of devices.

The Galaxy S26 series was the first lineup to launch with One UI 8.5 preinstalled, while other devices are expected to receive the final stable update later after the beta testing phase concludes.

Why Samsung Is Expanding the Beta Program

Expanding the beta program to more devices serves several purposes:

• Real-world testing: More devices mean more hardware configurations for testing compatibility and performance.
• User feedback: Beta participants help identify bugs and usability issues before the final release.
• Software stability: Wider testing helps Samsung refine the system and deliver a smoother final update.

This approach is becoming more common among smartphone manufacturers, especially as operating systems grow more complex and include AI-powered features and deeper integrations with services.

What Comes Next

Samsung has indicated that the One UI 8.5 beta program will continue expanding to additional Galaxy devices in the coming weeks. The company plans to collect feedback from users participating in the program and refine the software accordingly before releasing the stable update more widely.

For Galaxy users interested in early access, the beta program provides a chance to experience upcoming features ahead of the official release, though it may include bugs or incomplete features typical of pre-release software.