- New features of Samsung One UI 8.5 have become known
- We have Privacy Display and Bixby with the addition of Perplexity.
- Full version of the software coming soon
Samsung One UI 8.5 currently in beta testingIt's expected to launch alongside the Galaxy S26 phones sometime in February – and as the beta program continues, we're getting some sneak peeks at the software's features on the way best samsung phones.
First of all, SamMobile discovered a new privacy display feature hidden in the One UI 8.5 beta code. This feature was leaked last yearand essentially makes it harder to view your phone's screen at an angle if it's enabled in Settings.
In this new leak, we can see the privacy display feature being introduced in the Tips app. The information screen shows that the privacy display can be turned on and off manually, or turned on automatically based on certain criteria (for example, when you are away from home).
The same screens were dug up SammyGuruwith additional animation showing the screen darkening at an angle. According to tipster @UniverseIcethe animation actually shows an accurate rendering of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Bixby with added confusion
Welcome everyone to 2026! Let's start this year with fireworks. Take a look at the new Bixby powered by Perplexity. Thanks @achultra for connecting me to the APK pic.twitter.com/sKZQlEX6w7January 1, 2026
That's not all we got from One UI 8.5 today. bug @thatjoshguy69 published a review of Samsung's Bixby artificial intelligence running on this software, with additional capabilities provided by Perplexity, a partnership we have entered into already heard was on his way.
The interface is much the same as you'd expect: run a query, Bixby will check the Internet, and you'll get a detailed response with links to sources. The only real indication that another AI bot is involved is the “Puzzle” button at the end of the answer.
Seems to be a similar pattern Apple and Siri available with ChatGPTand that raises a question or two about how Samsung will position Gemini and Bixby on its phones in the future (of course, the company will still want to remain on friendly terms with Google).
Neither Privacy Display nor Bixby with Perplexity are available in One UI 8.5 yet—they're both hidden in beta code. As the software update launch approaches, we should hear some official announcements from Samsung about these features.
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