One UI 8.5: What’s New for Content Creation?

One UI 8.5 makes creating and sharing content more intuitive from start to finish. Users can keep generating new images without interruption with the updated Photo Assist^[1]. They can edit photos using Photo Assist features continuously, without needing to save each iteration. When finished, they can easily review all the creations in edit history and pick their favourites to keep.

Sharing is smoother too, thanks to enhancements to Quick Share^[2] which now recognises people in photos and proactively suggests sending them directly to those contacts.

How Does One UI 8.5 Improve Device Connectivity?

New cross-device features make managing devices easier, whether users need to manage files, share their network, or communicate with nearby devices. Audio Broadcast^[3] enables effortless communication with LE Audio-supported devices nearby using Auracast. In addition to audio from media sources, users can now broadcast their voice using their Galaxy phone’s built-in microphone – ideal for group situations like tours or events.

Storage Share^[4] brings even more fluidity to the Galaxy ecosystem by showing files from other Galaxy devices – including tablets and PCs – directly in the My Files app. It also allows users to access their phone’s files from other Samsung devices, including their TV.

How Is My Galaxy Device Staying Protected?

One UI 8.5 strengthens device protection and gives users clearer control over their security settings. Theft Protection keeps phones and their data secure in the case that it is lost or stolen. For additional protection, Failed Authentication Lock automatically locks the screen if there are too many failed attempts to verify identity by fingerprint, PIN or password. Identity check also safeguards more settings than before, adding an extra layer of protection.

Availability

The One UI 8.5 beta program will be first available to Galaxy S25 series users in select markets includingthe UK, Germany, India, Korea, Poland and the U.S. from December 8. Galaxy users can apply to join the beta program via the Samsung Members app.

[1]Generative Edit feature for Photo Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Editing with Generative Edit may result in a resized photo. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image is generated by AI. Screen image simulated for illustrative purposes. Actual UX/UI may vary.
[2]Available on devices with One UI 2.1 or above, with Android Q OS version or higher installed. Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi connection are both required for Quick Share. Actual speed may vary depending on device, network condition and user environment. Screen image simulated for illustrative purposes. Actual UX/UI may vary.
[3]Only available on Galaxy S25 series devices, including Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. Screen image simulated for illustrative purposes. Actual UX/UI may vary.
[4]Each device must be signed in to same Samsung account and must have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. Requires updated Galaxy phones and tablets with One UI 7 or higher and kernel version 5.15 or higher and Galaxy Book2 or later(Intel) and Galaxy Book4 or later(Arm) and Samsung Smart TV models including U8000 and above released after 2025. Feature availability may vary by region and device model. Screen image simulated for illustrative purposes. Actual UX/UI may vary.

What does the right laptop for uni look like? Samsung Newsroom explores the features and capabilities students should consider when choosing a new computer.

Q: As a uni student, what are the top three features to look for when buying a new laptop?

The first and most important factor is to consider how well the laptop can work with all the other devices you already have. Another key consideration is how a touchscreen could increase your productivity. Finally, battery life — how long the battery lasts during a busy day — is also crucial.

Q: What kind of laptop integrates best with your Android phone?

A good uni laptop should integrate seamlessly with your smartphone and your tablet, serving as the hub of your digital life. It should let you access all your notifications, send and receive text messages, and even run your favourite mobile apps right from your PC. No matter where that photo you need is stored, a good laptop will be able to find it for you. You should be able to connect to all your mobile devices to help you keep track of your digital materials. With a laptop that is connected to your entire device ecosystem, you’ll finish your thesis in no time.

Q: Do students really need a touchscreen on their laptop?

Touchscreens are a popular option for some of the latest models, and having one on your laptop can streamline your process when working on your assignments. Using touchscreens feels more natural, since we now interact with them almost every single day, from our smartphones to the self-ordering kiosks at cafés. A touchscreen can save you time when you need to multitask intuitively with what is on your screen — without having to open another window or switch between tools. You can easily highlight the important parts of documents and jot down handwritten notes directly onto PDFs. Additionally, the latest AI tools work efficiently with touchscreen-based interactions, like circling items on the screen to instantly search for information about them.

Q: Bottom line, what’s the best Samsung laptop for students?

The Galaxy Book5 Pro 16” is the optimal choice for uni students. It seamlessly integrates with your other Galaxy devices to help you keep track of all your data and stay organised; the laptop’s expansive touchscreen display helps you multitask faster and work with all your assignments; and the powerful performance of its battery lets it stay active with you from morning until night.

Under the laptop’s hood are powerful AI capabilities, based on its own AI Boost neural processing unit (NPU). This is a new type of processor, different from a CPU or GPU, that is specifically for AI computing. With the power of this NPU, your laptop can understand you on a deeper level, almost like your own personal assistant.

In addition, Storage Share^[1] connects your laptop to your Galaxy smartphone and tablet. Introduced with One UI 7, this feature lets your Galaxy smartphone and tablet operate as a wireless USB drive or storage space for your Galaxy Book5 Pro. After authorisation, you can effortlessly access files on any of your devices, so you always have your data available to you on your hub — your laptop. Thanks to this, when you record lectures or meetings on your phone, your laptop can transcribe or summarise them.

This all happens on an anti-reflective screen, a crystal-clear AMOLED display featuring Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2x technology that offers 3K resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It gives you ultra-smooth scrolling and responsiveness, so the only possible thing you might have to wait on is your own thoughts. It also automatically adjusts its brightness and enhances its visibility with tone mapping in a bright environment, so it is clearly visible even if you are studying outside on a sunny day. And since it’s a touchscreen, you can use AI Select^[2] to circle what you want to search for right on the screen.

And all of this is built on the dependable foundation of the Galaxy Book5 Pro’s high-capacity battery, which can give up to 25 hours of video playback.^[1] But despite all that battery power, the laptop itself is still thin and light. Thanks to that slim and lightweight design, carrying it around with you to the library, a coffee shop, your friend’s house and then back home is never a burden.

To learn more about Galaxy Book5 Pro, visit Samsung.com.

[1]Usage requires all devices to be on the same Samsung account, connected via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, running One UI 7 or later, and have Storage Share enabled..

[2]Requires internet connection and Samsung Account login. Results may vary by uniqueness, clarity and framing of circled image and related factors.