Samsung’s One UI is unquestionably the most exhaustively themed custom Android skin. I say this because Samsung is the only manufacturer making Android devices that goes to the extent of remaking every menu and sub-menu, including even the highly ignored Digital Wellbeing dashboard. With its upcoming One UI 8.5 interface, Samsung could be taking a bold step towards reshaping the interface that has remained largely unchanged for the past two generations.
Some of these changes are controversial and hold the potential to spark off a fresh iOS vs. Android comparison. But there’s one change that I wholeheartedly look forward to: a striking revamp of the Quick Settings panel. Based on the leaks, One UI 8.5 is expected to adopt Android 16’s extensive customization options for Quick Settings — with an extra shot of newness. Even before the One UI 8.5 beta has been released, I’m genuinely rooting for this option to be a reality and feel it could be a dramatic improvement — beyond visual appeal — to the panel that One UI has seen in recent years.
But before I go on sharing my reasons for calling the upgrade my favorite, tell me what you think about Quick Settings customization in Android.
Do you like the more customizable Quick Settings panel in Android 16? 73 votes Yes, I love it 67 % I don't care much 14 % I didn't know but would love to try 18 % Anything else (Comment below!) 1 %
One UI 8 vs. One UI 8.5: A saga of efficiency vs. effectiveness
Joe Maring / Android Authority
With One UI 8, Samsung has shifted its priorities. Instead of coupling major visual upgrades with bumping the Android version, Samsung has focused on the speed of delivery and under-the-hood changes. This approach, aside from the angst surrounding One UI 7’s delay, may also have resulted from Google’s transition to an earlier-than-usual release of Android 16. As a result, One UI 8 arrived shortly after Google dropped Android 16 for Pixel phones — practically reversing the effects of the extended One UI 7 release that miffed Samsung users.
Meanwhile, the release of the mid-cycle (One UI X.5) update, which used to arrive with the foldables each year, has also been moved ahead by half a year. As One UI 8 bears the responsibility for upgrading the Android version, the next update is expected to bring significant changes to the interface.
One UI 8.5 hasn’t been confirmed officially, but leaked builds have revealed the scope of changes to expect. In addition to core improvements and new privacy features, Samsung emphasizes visual changes with One UI 8.5.
In essence, One UI 8.5 is the true One UI 8 update.
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