Samsung Rolls Out Fourth One UI 8.5 Beta Focused on Stability Improvements

Samsung has deployed the fourth beta version of One UI 8.5 to Galaxy S25 series devices in Korea, marking a significant step in refining the software experience before its anticipated debut on the Galaxy S26 series next month. This 1.5GB update (firmware version ending ZZAL) specifically targets persistent stability issues reported by beta testers, particularly concerning telephony functionality and interface behavior.

The latest beta addresses several critical pain points:

1. Automatic Speakerphone Activation: Fixes an issue where calls would unexpectedly switch to speakerphone mode without user input
2. Call History Errors: Resolves crashes when accessing call logs within the Phone app
3. Bluetooth Audio Imbalance: Corrects scenarios where only one party could hear audio during calls when using Bluetooth headsets
4. Input Field Interference: Solves accidental phone number pasting into the dialer keypad when tapping call log icons
5. AI Select Behavior: Fixes the menu persistence issue where the AI Select overlay wouldn't close after copying content

These fixes demonstrate Samsung's prioritization of fundamental communication reliability in its beta program. The Bluetooth audio fix is particularly noteworthy given Samsung's increased emphasis on Galaxy Buds integration across its ecosystem.

Currently exclusive to Korean Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra units enrolled in the beta program, the update arrives slightly later than initial rumors suggested. Eligible users can manually trigger the download via Settings > Software update > Download and install. This beta phase represents Samsung's final polishing stage before One UI 8.5 ships pre-installed on the Galaxy S26 series, expected to launch globally on February 25.

The timing confirms Samsung's development cadence: Major One UI revisions typically debut with new flagship hardware before rolling out to previous-generation devices. This beta cycle focuses exclusively on stability rather than introducing new features, suggesting the software is nearing its final release candidate state. Users can anticipate these telephony improvements to significantly enhance daily usability while laying groundwork for the expanded AI capabilities expected in the S26 series implementation.