![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760337385_798_960x0.jpg\")
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Surprise update here soon.<\/p>\n
NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n
When it comes to Android updates, Samsung is playing catch-up with Pixel. Android 16 is now rolling out across its install base, bringing a raft of security and privacy upgrades. Now Samsung has a surprise for Galaxy users \u2014 and it could be just 6 weeks away.<\/p>\n
Per SamMobile<\/a>, One UI 8.5 will make its debut with the Galaxy S26 series next year,” and all One UI 8 devices will get it as well. \u201cAnd surprise, surprise: we\u2019ve learned that Samsung will also launch a One UI 8.5 beta program later this year.”<\/p>\n ForbesGoogle Quietly Upgrades Chrome For All 3 Billion Android UsersBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n No one should have been expecting this. \u201cIt\u2019s unusual for Samsung to hold beta programs for these mid-cycle One UI updates,\u201d SamMobile says, albeit \u201cnothing about One UI has been typical recently.\u201d And One UI 8.5 brings some critical uplifts. <\/p>\n Whatever Galaxy you\u2019re now using, it\u2019s certain you won\u2019t get the most exciting One UI 8.5 update. That\u2019s because the innovative privacy display that masks what\u2019s on screen needs upgraded hardware, and the first Samsung to bring this will be the Galaxy S26<\/a>.<\/p>\n But as Android Authority<\/a> has reported, One UI 8.5 also brings Google\u2019s automatic call screening, which answers unknown calls and requests details to let you decide whether to pick up. Apple has just brought the same feature to iPhone with iOS 26, and with Samsung picking this up as well, the cold calling world is in trouble.<\/p>\n The other headline update is less clearcut. Samsung currently offers Auto Blocker, one of its \u201cMaximum Restrictions\u201d that prevents apps being sideloaded onto a phone. <\/p>\n Per Android Authority again, \u201cwith One UI 8.5, Samsung might give users the ability to temporarily disable Auto Blocker, with an option to have it automatically turn back on after 30 minutes. This way, you\u2019ll still be able to sideload what you need or test something quickly, while still keeping the protection enabled by default.\u201d<\/p>\n This follows the same logic as Google\u2019s option to disable Play Protect until the next day. It\u2019s undoubtedly helpful to automatically re-enable, but it\u2019s unhelpful to everyday users to normalize disabling a feature that keeps them safe<\/a>. Thankfully, Google is about to decimate sideloading with developer verification from next year. That lessens the risk.<\/p>\n ForbesGoogle Just Made Pixel More Like iPhone And SamsungBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n One UI 8.5 may also bring other enhancements<\/a>: \u201cAdvanced Protection support for USB, Local parental controls, Secure Lock Device, Phone Theft Protection Toggle\u201d and \u201cIdentity Check expanded to support more apps.\u201d <\/p>\n