Samsung Galaxy S25 series gets sixth One UI 8.5 beta, possibly the last

Samsung has released the sixth beta version of One UI 8.5 for its Galaxy S25 series, potentially marking the final beta before the stable update rolls out to users. The update, identified as build ZZAO, comes exactly one week after the fifth beta and addresses several key issues while improving overall system performance.

What's New in Beta 6

The latest beta focuses primarily on bug fixes and stability improvements rather than major new features. Key fixes include:

• Bixby improvements: Resolves various issues with Samsung's voice assistant functionality
• Gallery enhancements: Fixes sketch conversion problems in the Gallery app
• Now Bar and Now Brief: Addresses text and icon display issues in these contextual features
• Camera stability: Prevents force closes when changing camera settings
• Lock screen consistency: Stops the lock screen style from changing unexpectedly
• Animation refinements: Improves notification card animations for smoother visual transitions

The update arrives as a 568MB download and includes the February 5, 2026 security patch level, ensuring users have the latest security protections while testing the beta software.

Beta Program Context

Samsung has been running the One UI 8.5 beta program on the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra for several weeks now. This sixth iteration suggests the company is nearing completion of the beta testing phase, especially with the Galaxy S26 series already launched and running One UI 8.5 out of the box.

Beta testing serves as a crucial phase where Samsung can identify and fix issues before releasing the update to the broader user base. The relatively short interval between beta 5 and beta 6 (one week) indicates Samsung may be accelerating the final stages of testing.

Looking Ahead

With the Galaxy S26 family now available and running the latest software version, Samsung appears positioned to quickly release One UI 8.5 to S25 owners. The timing suggests this could indeed be the final beta build before the stable version begins rolling out.

For Galaxy S25 users enrolled in the beta program, this update represents the culmination of several weeks of testing and feedback. Those not in the program can expect the stable One UI 8.5 update to arrive in the coming weeks, bringing the S25 series up to parity with the newly launched S26 lineup.

Technical Considerations

The beta program highlights Samsung's approach to software updates, where flagship devices receive extended support and regular updates. The fact that the S25 series is already receiving One UI 8.5 betas, despite being the previous generation, demonstrates Samsung's commitment to keeping its devices current with the latest Android and One UI versions.

For users considering the upgrade from S25 to S26, the software parity between generations means the decision will likely hinge more on hardware improvements rather than software features, as both series will be running the same One UI 8.5 experience.