Samsung has started rolling out its One UI 8.5 beta program for Galaxy S25 phones. This new update brings exciting features and some problems that users should know about.
When Will the Second Beta Update Arrive?
According to a trusted source, Samsung will release the second beta update for Galaxy S25 phones on December 22, 2025. The same person correctly predicted the first beta would arrive on December 8, so this information might be accurate.
Which Phones Can Get the Beta?
Right now, only three phones can test the new software:
- Galaxy S25
- Galaxy S25 Plus
- Galaxy S25 Ultra
The beta is available in six countries: United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, Poland, and India. If you have one of these phones and live in these places, you can join the beta program through the Samsung Members app.
Good Lock Apps Are Not Working
The beta update has broken some popular customization tools. Four Good Lock apps are having problems:
Completely Broken:
- Home Up (for home screen customization)
- QuickStar (for status bar changes)
Partially Working:
- LockStar (for lock screen)
- NotiStar (for notifications)
Samsung knows about these problems and is working on fixes. This happens with most beta updates, so users should expect updates soon.
New Features Coming to One UI 8.5
Better Photo Editing
The biggest change is how you edit photos with AI. Now you can:
- Make multiple changes without saving each time
- See all your edits in a timeline
- Go back to any previous version easily
Mix and Match Photos (Coming Soon)
Samsung is testing a cool new feature where you can combine different images. For example, if you have a photo of your cat, you can add a ball from another picture. The AI will blend them together to make it look like your cat is playing with the ball.
This feature doesn’t work yet in the current beta. It might come in future beta versions or with the Galaxy S26 phones next year.
Quick Settings Changes
The Quick Settings panel has been updated:
- Move and resize tiles however you want
- Control volume and brightness separately
- Add more shortcuts for quick access
Partial Screen Recording
You can now record just part of your screen instead of everything. This is helpful for making tutorials or showing specific things without extra editing.
Smart Lock Screen
The lock screen clock now moves automatically to avoid blocking faces or objects in your wallpaper. It works with photos of people, pets, or scenery.
Audio Broadcast
You can use your phone as a microphone and send audio to nearby Bluetooth devices. This is useful for tours, events, or group activities.
Storage Sharing
Share your phone’s storage with other Samsung devices like tablets or TVs. This makes it easy to access files across all your devices.
Should You Install the Beta?
Wait if:
- You use Good Lock apps a lot
- You need your phone to work perfectly every day
- You don’t like testing new software
Install if:
- You want to try new features early
- You can handle some bugs
- You have a backup phone
Remember, beta software has problems. Samsung will fix most issues before the final release.
When Is the Stable Release?
The final version of One UI 8.5 will likely come out with the Galaxy S26 series in early 2026. Other Galaxy phones will get the update after that.
What Else Is New?
The update also includes:
- Redesigned settings app with better battery information
- Improved theft protection features
- Better device management tools
- Updated core apps like Phone, Clock, and Calculator
- New filters for photo editing
Bottom Line
One UI 8.5 brings many useful improvements to Samsung phones. The second beta should arrive on December 22 with more fixes and stability. Good Lock users might want to wait for updates to their favorite apps before installing the beta.
Stay tuned for more updates as Samsung continues testing the new software.
