Samsung begins One UI 8.5 rollout: Galaxy S26 ships first, older devices to follow from March

Samsung has confirmed that the stable One UI 8.5 update will begin rolling out in March 2026, starting with the Galaxy S26 series and expanding to older flagships and mid-range devices in phased waves.

Samsung has officially announced the start of its One UI 8.5 update rollout, marking one of its most significant mid-cycle software refreshes in recent years. While the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra ship with One UI 8.5 out of the box, the company has outlined a phased rollout plan for older Galaxy devices.

The stable update is scheduled to begin rolling out in March 2026, with newer flagships receiving priority. Owners of recent Galaxy S-series phones can expect the update within weeks, while users of older S-series and Galaxy A models may need to wait longer as Samsung works through device optimization and carrier approvals.

Rollout timeline for existing devices

Wave 1 (March–April 2026)

Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra

Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7

Wave 2 (April–May 2026)

Galaxy S24 series

Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6

Galaxy Tab S11 series

Select Galaxy A-series models

Wave 3 (May–June 2026)

Galaxy S23 series

Galaxy S22 series

Galaxy A56, A36

Galaxy Tab S10 series

Select Galaxy A, M, and F series models

Wave 4 (Q2–Q3 2026)

Additional Galaxy A, M, and F series devices

Samsung says this staged approach reflects its long-standing strategy to reduce fragmentation across one of the largest Android device portfolios in the industry. Newer models are optimized first, while older and mid-range devices follow once stability benchmarks are met.

What’s new in One UI 8.5

One UI 8.5 represents a notable shift from previous “.5” updates, which traditionally focused on minor refinements. This release is positioned as a broader platform refresh, with Samsung describing it as a visual and AI-led reset.

At the heart of the visual overhaul is Ambient Design, highlighted by a new Frosted Glass aesthetic. The interface introduces translucent layers, dynamic depth effects, and subtle 3D iconography that adapt to wallpapers. Elements such as quick settings, widgets, system panels, and the lock screen now feature enhanced visual depth and motion.

On the AI front, Samsung has integrated Perplexity AI directly into Bixby. This upgrade enables more advanced natural-language interactions and maintains conversational context across queries. The Perplexity-powered Bixby experience is currently available in beta and will roll out broadly with the stable One UI 8.5 release.

With this update, Samsung signals a stronger focus on AI-driven experiences and cohesive design, setting the tone for its software strategy heading into late 2026.