- Samsung has rolled out the sixth beta build of One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S25 series, continuing its pre-release refinement cycle ahead of the stable rollout.
- The update focuses primarily on stability, UI consistency, and feature reliability rather than introducing new visible tools.
- Beta version ZZAO targets small friction points that affect everyday usability across system apps.
This phase signals Samsung is moving toward polishing the software experience rather than expanding feature scope.
Bixby wake phrase feature stability improved
Samsung addressed an issue affecting the experimental custom wake-up phrase feature inside Bixby Labs.
Changes include:
- Fix for unreliable behaviour when creating a custom wake phrase
- Improved activation consistency
- Reduced errors during setup
Voice activation reliability is important for hands-free interactions and accessibility workflows.
Gallery interface duplication bug resolved
A UI inconsistency inside the Gallery sketch conversion workflow has been corrected.
Previously reported behaviour:
- Two “View Previous Image” buttons appear simultaneously
- Confusing navigation during image editing
The update removes duplicate elements and restores a single, clear action path.
Now Bar and Now Brief visibility refinements
Samsung adjusted multiple UI layers connected to recommendation cards across the system.
Fixes include:
- Text visibility improvements
- Icon alignment corrections
- Better readability on Always-On Display
These refinements aim to maintain consistent information density without cluttering the interface.
Camera settings crash addressed
A stability issue triggered when changing camera display area settings has been resolved.
Key impact:
- Prevents forced app closures
- Ensures smoother transitions between display modes
- Improves reliability for users adjusting the aspect and preview layout
Camera stability remains a core priority as imaging workflows span multiple apps and system overlays.
Modes and Routines lock screen styling corrected
Samsung fixed the behaviour where the lock screen styling unexpectedly changed when using Basic mode inside automation features.
Adjustments include:
- Preserving chosen lock screen style
- More predictable automation behaviour
- Reduced visual inconsistency after routine triggers
Automation features depend on visual continuity, making this fix important for daily usage.
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Notification animation smoothing
The beta also introduces subtle animation tweaks tied to notification cards.
Observed improvements:
- More fluid entry and dismissal motion
- Reduced frame drops during rapid interactions
- Better visual consistency with system gestures
Animation tuning is often one of the final optimisation steps before stable releases.
What this update signals
Beta 6 reflects a late-stage software cycle focused on refinement rather than experimentation.
Key signals:
- The feature set is largely locked
- Stability and UI polish are taking priority
- System intelligence surfaces (Now Bar / Now Brief) are being fine-tuned
- Camera reliability is treated as a critical pillar
This suggests the stable One UI 8.5 rollout may be approaching once remaining edge-case bugs are addressed.
Why it matters for users
Incremental beta updates rarely generate attention, but they directly impact long-term experience quality.
Practical benefits:
- Fewer crashes
- Cleaner UI behaviour
- More reliable automation
- Smoother animations
- Improved accessibility features
These changes reduce friction across everyday interactions rather than adding headline features.