Reading view

One UI 9 gives the Media Player a color-driven redesign

Samsung’s Media Player is about to grab a color-driven redesign in the One UI 9 update. Samsung has upgraded this aspect in the One UI 8.5, which is expected to start rolling out to Galaxy S25 smartphone users this week.

One UI 9 is based on Android 17, and Samsung is preparing a color-packed redesign for the Media Player. Some users have installed the firmware on their devices, with TarunVats bringing fans early looks at the upcoming changes.

At present, Galaxy’s Media Player features a static and predictable look.

Samsung really nailed the little details here. The new seek bar now pulls colors straight from the album art of whatever you’re playing. Put on a smooth jazz track with cool blue tones, and the UI subtly shifts to match that vibe.

Switch over to a bright, punchy pop song, and everything updates instantly. It’s a small touch on paper, but in everyday use, it makes the lock screen and notifications feel way more alive and in sync with what you’re listening to.

Samsung One UI 9 Media Player Redesign

Media Player is the aspect we see more often than others. Reinventing its user interface is a bold decision to make. Samsung is finally putting efforts in the right spots, which directly influence the software’s boldness.

Samsung is internally working on One UI 9, with the Public Beta testing expected to launch by the end of May or the beginning of June. The new software will first land on the Galaxy S26 series, while its official debut is likely in late July.

The post One UI 9 gives the Media Player a color-driven redesign appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung preparing to unveil One UI 8.5 roadmap ahead of rollout

Looks like Samsung will first unveil the One UI 8.5 roadmap before starting the Stable update’s rollout. The software may start rolling out on Wednesday, as the May 4 release window could be avoided due to regional considerations.

Samsung users are quite frustrated due to a lack of communication. As always, Samsung is refraining from revealing a release timeline. Well, an online chat with a Samsung representative brought some good news.

Chat support declined to give a timeline, but hinted that the One UI 8.5 roadmap will be published under the Notice section of the Members app.

Roadmap is a well-crafted chart that carries an update schedule for various devices. Samsung usually sticks to its rollout plans unless a major flaw is identified. That said, the roadmap will be a crucial development in One UI 8.5 story.

Update windows differ for markets, carriers, and other aspects. South Korea has become the prime spot for Samsung’s updates. Germany previously led the way along with Korea, but Samsung now prefers its home ground.

Samsung One UI 8.5 Update Roadmap

Our assumptions point to May 6 for South Korea, followed by Global markets within a week. A Canadian moderator ruled out the possibility of a simultaneous rollout for a wide range of models, so an undefined delay is likely.

Samsung is currently running the One UI 8.5 Beta Program. The testing activity is live for plenty of Galaxy devices, including flagships, foldables, tablets, and mid-range models.

Unlike the Galaxy S25 series, the Beta Program has limited availability for other models. Some are available in six markets, while others are capped to either Korea or India.

The post Samsung preparing to unveil One UI 8.5 roadmap ahead of rollout appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung may not release Stable One UI 8.5 today – Here’s why

Stable One UI 8.5 missed its April 30 release window, and May 4 may meet the same fate. Samsung hasn’t released the rollout roadmap either. This is not the treatment Galaxy loyalists deserve, even for a mid-cycle software update.

It was initially rumored that Stable One UI 8.5 may release on April 30 in Korea and on May 4 in the Global market. It’s May 4 today, and the update rollout hasn’t begun yet; meanwhile, inputs suggest another potential delay.

Here’s why Samsung could skip the One UI 8.5 release today

April 30 window was reportedly avoided due to the Labour Day holiday on the following date. Now, May 4 looks to be sidelined as well, given South Korea’s Children’s Day holiday on May 5 [source].

Wednesday, the day after tomorrow, is now shaping up to be the strongest contender for the release of Stable One UI 8.5 update. Samsung usually drops major updates on either Monday or Wednesday; that said, we may see the rollout on May 6.

Avoiding release around non-working days is a strategic move. In case the software faces a severe flaw, the expansion should be paused. If the staff are on holiday, the penetration can’t be controlled, and the damage can be worse.

Galaxy S25 users in six countries have already received a near-stable build as the 10th Beta. Several new AI features have also been installed. Samsung may have also prepared for the prime time, and it could finally be Wednesday.

Note that the timeline hasn’t been confirmed by Samsung. The information is based on facts and inputs in the community forums. The company could even surprise its fans today by starting the rollout for the Galaxy S25 series.

The post Samsung may not release Stable One UI 8.5 today – Here’s why appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Galaxy S24 series not first in line for One UI 8.5 rollout

One UI 8.5 update is on the verge of rollout, and there’s some important news for the Galaxy S24 series users. Samsung hasn’t shared the rollout roadmap, but the update is expected to be available starting tomorrow.

A Samsung moderator of Canada community has just revealed that the One UI 8.5 rollout will begin with the Galaxy S25 series and the Galaxy S24 series may follow later. That said, 2024’s flagships won’t upgrade alongside the S25 series.

The moderator clearly said that the update will first arrive for the Galaxy S25 series and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is included in the following phase. It’s a little blow to the users of the flagship phones, but it isn’t shocking either.

One UI 8.5 Beta first arrived on the Galaxy S25 series. Samsung expanded it to more models in 2026, with April marked a massive expansion. As for the S24 phones, the distribution may begin in the second phase, not first.

We were expecting a simultaneous rollout for a wide range of Galaxy devices, but Samsung still refrains from opening a broad deployment. Well, the update may go live for plenty of devices in the present month and the next.

Staged release aims to ensure stability and performance. If Samsung detects any problem, the expansion will be paused. In case the stability is verified, devices from the previous generations will quickly join the party.

Users can check for latest updates through Settings > Software update. Make sure to create a backup of your personal data before install. You can also check our dedicated article to ensure a seamless upgrade experience.

The post Galaxy S24 series not first in line for One UI 8.5 rollout appeared first on Sammy Fans.

One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16, why its rollout taking time?

In July last year, Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 as the first phones to feature Android 16-based One UI 8.0. Despite having the same Android version, One UI 8.5 has officially surpassed its predecessor in test duration, as Galaxy device users are still waiting for this update.

The One UI 8.0 beta program kicked off on May 28 with the Galaxy S25 series, with the stable update released on September 15th. So, One UI 8.0 for the Galaxy S25 series with a major Android release adopted in 3 months and 18 days.

On December 7, 2025, Samsung opened the One UI 8.5 beta program for the same lineup. However, it’s still not closed as of May 3rd. Subsequently, its overall test duration has expanded to 4 months and 26 days.

Since One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16, its platform is already tested and adapted to the Galaxy S25 series. So, the only thing that the company needed to do was to test the latest One UI 8.5 features on top of Android 16.

Eventually, the question arises, why take such a long time? From a technical point of view, this rollout delay is unexplained. The development and testing of this software update should have been completed by March.

There’s no point in taking such a long time in distribution, as it has nothing to test on the platform upgrade. So, the only work that has to be done on the new feature is compatibility with eligible phones.

Even if the compatibility is taking time, along with bug solving. The lack of transparency is another major issue with Samsung, which hasn’t announced any details on the rollout to bring a resolution to consumers.

The post One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16, why its rollout taking time? appeared first on Sammy Fans.

One UI 8.5 becomes Samsung’s longest beta program

Samsung hasn’t closed the One UI 8.5 beta program, making it the longest software testing campaign to date. This is not an achievement to take proud at, but a matter of shame for the world’s largest smartphone-selling company.

The program opened on December 7 for the Galaxy S25 series. The first beta was released on the same day of enrollment, and the company has expanded the number with 9 more betas to date. These updates introduced a couple of new features and UI upgrades, as well as bug fixes for the participating models.

Later on, a couple of other phones, such as Galaxy Z Fold 7/Flip 7, as well as previous-gen flagships such as S24 and S23 series, also joined the program.

Samsung One UI 8.5 Software

Image – One UI 8.5 update page

Past leaks and rumors had it that the beta program would conclude on April 30th with a stable release for Korean users. This speculation included expansion to global users in early May.

However, none of that happened, making the One UI 8.5 the longest beta program the company has ever opened. The total length of the test has reached 4 months and 26 days, and the counter is still on.

Still, Samsung hasn’t announced a release date for the final build, but it could get it done before mid-May. However, nothing is certain from this point of view. For example, past leaks regarding the rollout have been proven false, and we will only believe it when Samsung actually releases the update and closes the program.

The post One UI 8.5 becomes Samsung’s longest beta program appeared first on Sammy Fans.

One UI 8.5 upgrades Studio with HDR and SDR previews

Samsung may have brought a significant upgrade to the Studio app in One UI 8.5. Galaxy users will have an even better editing experience while creating movies using the built-in Studio app.

Galaxy S25 series may begin receiving One UI 8.5 update on Monday. Samsung plans to open the rollout on May 9 in North America. After missing the April 30 target, the company is probably considering May 4 for rollout.

In the latest build of Galaxy S25 Ultra, tipster Alfaturk spotted a new “Preview color” option inside the “Project settings” screen. The addition hints that the company has upgraded the Studio experience on its Galaxy devices.

The new “Preview color” option features three options for color range, including Auto, SDR and HDR. Selecting the preferred option will display content in preview in the selected color range, making editing more precise.

  • If you pick the Auto option, the preview will match the color range to the content of your projects.
  • Selecting SDR will force the preview function to use the standard color range for images and videos.
  • Lastly, the HDR option triggers the preview to show a wider range of color and contrast for brighter, more vibrant images and videos.

Samsung’s Studio app isn’t a widely used app for editing. It has a limited set of features that just deliver nominal tweaks. Users rely on third-party apps like VN and CapCut for video editing.

Still, Samsung’s upgrading Studio app with new capabilities is a welcome move. The addition seems silent, which might also have appeared on the previous versions of One UI software.

One UI 8.5 Studio Project HDR

The post One UI 8.5 upgrades Studio with HDR and SDR previews appeared first on Sammy Fans.

❌