Imagine being able to keep your personal life completely private, even when you're in a crowded public place. That's exactly what Samsung is working on with its upcoming One UI 8.5 update, which promises to bring a slew of exciting new features to your Galaxy phone. But here's the thing: these features aren't just about aesthetics; they're about giving you more control over your device and your personal data. And this is the part most people miss: the One UI 8.5 update is still in the works, but we've got our hands on a leaked firmware build that reveals some of the most significant changes coming to your Galaxy phone. So, let's dive in and explore the top 8 new features you can expect from One UI 8.5.
First up, we have the Private Display feature, which is designed to make it harder for people around you to snoop on your screen. This feature uses AI to control viewing angles, adjusting pixels so they're not as visible to people sitting next to you. But what's really interesting is that users will be able to pick between different privacy levels, including a 'Maximum Privacy' option that dims the screen even further. This could be a game-changer for people who work with sensitive information or just want to keep their personal life private.
Next, we have automatic call screening, which is inspired by Google's Pixel phones. This feature will automatically handle suspicious calls on your behalf and show you a live transcript of the conversation. This way, you won't need to lift a finger if an incoming call from an unknown number is likely to be spam. But here's where it gets controversial: some people might argue that this feature is an overreach, and that users should have more control over who can contact them. What do you think? Should phone manufacturers be able to automatically screen calls, or is this an invasion of privacy?
Another exciting feature coming to One UI 8.5 is NFC-based Quick Share transfers. This feature allows you to transfer files between devices simply by holding them close together. It's like a callback to the old Android Beam days, but much faster and more convenient. But what's really cool is that Samsung is testing special animations that play when this transfer is triggered. It's a small touch, but it shows that the company is thinking about the little things that make a big difference in user experience.
We're also seeing the return of pollen tracking to Samsung's Weather app. This feature was quietly removed a while back, but it's making a comeback with One UI 8.5. The app will show pollen levels for trees, grass, and ragweed, with color-coded leaf icons and severity levels to help those with allergy issues know what to expect. It's a small but significant addition that could make a big difference for people who suffer from allergies.
In addition to these features, we're also seeing a new launcher shortcut for AI agents. This will make it easier to ask questions and get instant responses, with answers capped at around three sentences. But what's really interesting is that the code references multiple AI providers, and it looks like users will be able to choose between Gemini, Perplexity, or Samsung Gauss for these quick answers. This raises some interesting questions about the future of AI and how it will be integrated into our devices. Will we see more AI-powered features in the future, and how will they change the way we interact with our phones?
We're also seeing some iOS-inspired design tweaks with One UI 8.5. Leaked screenshots show that Samsung is experimenting with more compact layouts and visuals, with a search bar moved to the bottom of the screen and containers that include drop shadows. It's a significant departure from the traditional Android look and feel, and it will be interesting to see how users react to these changes. But here's the thing: design is subjective, and what one person loves, another person might hate. So, we want to hear from you: do you like the new design direction, or do you think Samsung should stick with what it knows?
The ability to temporarily disable Auto Blocker is another significant feature coming to One UI 8.5. This will give power users more flexibility when it comes to sideloading apps or connecting their phones to PCs. But what's really interesting is that the feature will automatically turn back on after 30 minutes, so you'll still be protected even if you forget to re-enable it. It's a small but significant addition that could make a big difference for people who need more control over their devices.
Finally, we're seeing the addition of protection against flashing lights, which is designed to help people with photosensitive epilepsy (PSE). The system will be able to detect flashing lights in videos and automatically dim the screen to reduce the impact on your eyes. It's a small but significant addition that could make a big difference for people who suffer from this condition.
These are just a few of the exciting new features coming to your Galaxy phone with One UI 8.5. But here's the thing: the update is still in the works, and features could still change before release. So, we want to hear from you: what do you think about these new features, and are there any other changes you'd like to see Samsung make to its UI? Let us know in the comments below. And if you're as excited as we are about the future of Android, be sure to follow us for more updates and insights.
