Key Takeaways
1. Enhanced Bixby Features: Bixby can now understand natural language better, making it easier to find settings and features without precise commands.
2. Improved Weather and Health Tools: The weather widget now includes precipitation alerts and a pollen index, while weekly health reports offer more comprehensive data, including medication tracking.
3. New Photo and Media Sharing Options: Quick Share can suggest sharing photos with people in them, and the Photo Assist feature allows continuous image generation without saving each version separately.
4. Power Management and Security Enhancements: The update includes improved power saving options, a revamped battery info screen, and new theft protection measures for enhanced security.
5. Customizable User Experience: Users can now personalize their lock screen clock, rearrange quick settings in the Quick Panel, and use features like partial screen recording and early reminder alerts for a tailored experience.
The first leak of One UI 8.5 appeared in September, and many recent clues about the new Galaxy S26 features stem from it. Just a few days ago, wallpapers for the Galaxy S26 Ultra surfaced, showcasing the anticipated color choices for Samsung’s upcoming flagship devices. Now, the full changelog for the significant update to One UI has also been leaked, detailing all the modifications from the initial beta version.
New Features and Improvements
This changelog probably doesn’t cover all the features that will debut solely with the Galaxy S26 line, like those related to Galaxy AI. Some notable highlights include enhanced power management, improved Auracast support, new security features, a time zone calculator, and a revamped weather widget that can alert users about impending rain.
Continuous Image Generation
Keep creating without stopping. Photo Assist now allows you to generate AI images using various Photo Assist features without needing to save each version separately. Once you finish, you can check all your creations in your history and select your favorites.
Smarter Device Control
Talk to Bixby in your own words. Bixby is now better at locating the settings or features you need, even if you don’t use precise commands or feature names. Just express what you need, and let Bixby handle the rest.
Ask Anything, Anytime
If you require a quick answer or in-depth information, just ask Bixby for an instant reply. You won’t have to waste time on multiple searches or switching between apps.
Conversation History
Looking back at earlier chats with Bixby has become simpler than ever. You can now access your chat history from the side panel in the Bixby app.
Storage Share
Access your files from anywhere. Files from your other Samsung devices, including phones, tablets, and PCs, are available in the My Files app on your phone. You can also reach your phone’s files on other Samsung devices, such as your TV.
Quick Connection to Smart View Devices
Connect to your favorite displays more swiftly. You can now add a shortcut on your Home screen to instantly mirror your phone’s display to a TV or another screen.
Enhanced Auracast Features
It’s now easier than ever to listen to and broadcast sound with Auracast. Options for both broadcasting and listening can now be found in the Audio broadcast menu under “Settings.”
Voice Broadcasts
Broadcast your voice to those around you using Auracast. In addition to media sound, you can now share your voice through your phone’s built-in microphone.
Avoid Unwanted Sharing Requests
You can now configure Quick Share to only accept files from devices logged into your Samsung account or Google account.
Photo Sharing Suggestions
Share pictures with the right people quicker. When you share photos that feature friends or family, Quick Share can identify who’s in them and suggest sharing directly with those individuals.
Automatic Lock Screen Layout
Wallpapers featuring people or pets now fit perfectly every time. When you select a photo for your Lock screen, the layout adjusts automatically, ensuring the clock and widgets don’t obscure important parts of the image.
More Customizable Clock Fonts
Personalize your Lock screen clock more. You can now modify the thickness of various font styles to align with your preferred aesthetic.
Enhanced Weather Widget
Quickly check expected precipitation in the Weather widget on your Home screen. The widget now shows a graph if rain is anticipated in the upcoming hours.
Pollen Index
Check the pollen levels in the air to help manage your allergies. You can view pollen counts for trees, grass, and ragweed.
Weather Alarm Backgrounds
Wake up to an alarm that prepares you for the day’s weather. Your alarm screen can now display the current weather conditions as a background when it goes off.
Time Zone Converter
View time zones at a glance. The new slider in the Clock app makes it simple to check the time difference between locations worldwide.
Enhanced Weekly Reports
Get a more comprehensive view of your health weekly. Weekly reports now encompass data from your medication tracker and mindfulness sessions.
Upgraded Sharing Experience
Share your workouts your way. Combine your exercise stats with photos from your workout to create the ultimate social media post.
Start Meditations from Your Watch
Find calm right from your wrist. You can now initiate preferred or recommended meditations directly on your Galaxy Watch without needing to grab your phone.
Antioxidant Measurements from Your Watch
Check your antioxidant levels anytime. Measure directly from your Galaxy Watch, even if it’s not linked to your phone. This is compatible with Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Theft Protection
Keep your phone and information secure if it gets lost or stolen. Activate the Failed authentication lock to automatically lock the screen after too many failed attempts to verify your identity with fingerprints, PINs, patterns, or passwords. Identity check now safeguards even more settings than before.
Temporarily Disable Auto Blocker
If you need to turn off Auto Blocker’s security temporarily, a new option allows you to automatically turn it back on after 30 minutes, so you don’t forget.
Revamped Battery Info
View your battery usage more clearly. The redesigned Battery settings screen makes it easier to monitor remaining time, charging status, and daily use over the past week.
Improved Power Saving
Utilize Power Saving to extend your battery life without needing to recharge. Choose Standard for moderate savings and customizable limits, or select “Maximum” to deactivate all non-essential features and maximize battery duration.
Easily Control Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Access the settings for your Bluetooth hearing aids directly from the Accessibility shortcut. A pop-up appears that allows you to modify your hearing program, toggle Ambient sound on or off, and more.
Control Magnification with Mouse or Keyboard
Keep what you need magnified in view with these new choices. You can make the magnified area follow the cursor as you type or shift when you change focus using the keyboard. When using a mouse, you can make the magnified area adjust as you move the pointer toward the edge of the screen.
Dwell and Corner Actions
The Auto action after pointer stops feature has been split into two features. Dwell action enables you to set custom actions when your mouse stops moving for a certain duration. Corner actions allow you to assign different actions for each corner of the screen.
More Customizable Quick Panel
Arrange your quick settings exactly how you prefer. You can now add, remove, reorder, and reorganize controls in the quick panel.
Early Alerts for Reminders
Receive alerts before reminders are due to ensure you don’t overlook important tasks. You can decide how far in advance to get a notification for each reminder.
Partial Screen Recording
Capture only what you need in your screen recordings. You can now select just the part of the screen you wish to record.
Calculator Nudges
Save time on calculations. Numbers and formulas copied to your clipboard will be suggested when you open Calculator, allowing you to enter them with a quick tap.
Keep Window Sizes in DeX
DeX now remembers your app window sizes and positions. When you reopen an app, it will appear just as you left it.
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