Samsung has just launched the first beta of One UI 8, even as many devices are still waiting for One UI 7. If you own a Galaxy S25, S25+, or S25 Ultra, you can dive into this latest update right now by heading to the Samsung Members app and looking for the One UI 8 beta program banner. Currently, the beta is available in the US, UK, Germany, and South Korea, with more regions expected soon. If it hasn’t appeared for you yet, keep refreshing the app as demand is high.
In this article, we’ll walk through the key features and changes introduced in One UI 8 Beta 1 based on the first few hours of use. Whether you’re curious about UI tweaks, multitasking improvements, or new app enhancements, this overview covers everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
- ⚠️ Important: Backup and Beta Warning
- 🛎️ Updates to the Now Bar
- 📞 Smarter Call Recording Access
- 🖥️ Enhanced Multitasking with 90/10 Split Screen 🧩
- 📅 Calendar and Reminders Integration ⏰
- 🌤️ Refreshed Samsung Weather App
- 📤 Quick Share Gets a Visual Overhaul
- 🎨 Dynamic Wallpapers for a Fresh Look
- 📸 Camera Gesture Improvements
- 🌐 Samsung Internet UI and AI Select Update
- 🔒 Security, Buds Integration, and Notification Tweaks
- 📱 Bigger Widgets and Smarter Routines
- 📂 File Manager UI Refresh and Search Filters
- ❓ When Will One UI 8 Reach All Devices?
- 💬 Final Thoughts and Feedback
- 📚 FAQ
⚠️ Important: Backup and Beta Warning
Before you jump into the One UI 8 beta, it’s crucial to remember that this is a beta release. That means it might not be as stable as a full public release, and some features may not work perfectly. If you rely on your Galaxy S25 as your daily driver, consider waiting until the stable update rolls out. Also, make sure to back up all your data before installing, as there’s always a risk of data loss during beta installs.
The update file is about 3GB, so ensure your device has sufficient storage space before downloading.
🛎️ Updates to the Now Bar
One UI 8 introduces two subtle but handy changes to the Now Bar. First, when you activate Do Not Disturb mode, your lock screen will now display an indicator showing that notifications are being silenced. This helps avoid confusion if you accidentally enable DND and wonder why your notifications aren’t coming through.
Second, phone calls now appear directly in the Now Bar. You can see who’s calling and track the call duration without needing to unlock your phone. The traditional call notification remains at the top of the lock screen for now, but this might be streamlined in future beta updates.
📞 Smarter Call Recording Access
If you record phone calls, One UI 8 makes managing those recordings easier by placing them directly on the contact page of the person you called. This new location simplifies finding and organizing call recordings compared to hunting through the call log history.
🖥️ Enhanced Multitasking with 90/10 Split Screen 🧩
One of the standout upgrades in One UI 8 is the introduction of a 90/10 multitasking split screen mode, a feature Google hinted at but Samsung beat to the punch. When using split screen with two apps, you can now resize one app to occupy just 10% of the screen, pushing it to the edge and letting you focus on the main app.
To swap the apps, simply tap the smaller app and it will replace the larger one. This makes multitasking more flexible and intuitive, allowing you to keep a secondary app handy without it taking up much screen real estate.
📅 Calendar and Reminders Integration ⏰
The calendar app gets a neat update with a revamped event creation screen accessed via the plus icon. Now, you can create reminders directly within the calendar app without needing a separate step. This is great for setting reminders related to events without cluttering your calendar with unnecessary entries.
The reminders app itself also received a makeover. When creating a reminder, the app suggests names and times based on your previous reminders. Additionally, there are sample reminders like workout schedules, pickup reminders, and grocery lists to help you manage tasks more effectively.
🌤️ Refreshed Samsung Weather App
The Samsung Weather app sports a subtle but richer animation for current weather conditions in One UI 8. The visuals are more detailed and engaging compared to One UI 7, making it easier and more fun to check the weather—especially when you can’t glance outside!
📤 Quick Share Gets a Visual Overhaul
Sending and receiving files with Quick Share feels more polished with a new animated background indicating readiness to receive files. It displays your device name prominently and lets you customize who can share files with you—no one, contacts only, or everyone—with a time limit option (default 10 minutes).
🎨 Dynamic Wallpapers for a Fresh Look
One UI 8 introduces dynamic wallpapers with two options currently available: a blue-to-green gradient flowing vertically and a circular gradient. These wallpapers subtly change throughout the day, adding a touch of liveliness to your home screen. At present, customization options like color changes aren’t available yet, but this is a promising addition.
📸 Camera Gesture Improvements
There’s a small but handy tweak to the camera app. Previously, swiping up or down toggled between the rear and selfie cameras. Now, you can enable a setting where the swipe gesture brings up quick camera settings, giving faster access to controls. The original camera toggle gesture remains available, so this is an optional enhancement for power users.
🌐 Samsung Internet UI and AI Select Update
The Samsung Internet browser’s settings menu features a redesigned panel with a subtle blur effect behind the settings, improving aesthetics and readability. Additionally, the AI Select feature, which previously had a delay before allowing you to select text or images, now works instantly, eliminating frustrating lag.
🔒 Security, Buds Integration, and Notification Tweaks
- Separate biometrics for Secure Folder: You can now set distinct biometric authentication for your Secure Folder, enhancing privacy and security.
- Galaxy Buds control: One UI 8 adds support for Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and older Galaxy Buds models. However, Galaxy Buds Live compatibility is not yet available but may arrive in future betas.
- Notification updates: When multiple notifications come from the same app, the number now appears in a blue bubble next to the sender’s name instead of on the side, making notifications more organized.
📱 Bigger Widgets and Smarter Routines
Widgets can now take up four rows instead of the previous three, giving you more room to display information and controls on your home screen.
The Routines app has been enhanced with new controls for notes and calendar integration, features that were missing in One UI 7. This makes automating daily tasks and reminders more powerful and convenient.
📂 File Manager UI Refresh and Search Filters
The Files app has undergone a subtle UI refresh with smaller, more rounded icons replacing the larger ones from One UI 7, giving it a cleaner look.
Additionally, when searching downloads, you can now filter results by app, making it easier to find specific files.
❓ When Will One UI 8 Reach All Devices?
At this time, there’s no official word on when One UI 8 will roll out to all Samsung devices. The Galaxy S25 Edge, Z Fold 6, and Flip 6 are not receiving the beta just yet. Keep an eye on official Samsung announcements for updates on broader availability.
💬 Final Thoughts and Feedback
One UI 8 Beta 1 brings a smart refinement of One UI 7, with thoughtful UI tweaks and quality-of-life improvements that enhance multitasking, notifications, and app usability. While some changes are subtle, features like the 90/10 split screen multitasking and integrated reminders in the calendar stand out as particularly useful.
What do you think about One UI 8 so far? Is it the overhaul you were hoping for, or are you left wanting more? Share your thoughts and experiences below!
📚 FAQ
Q: Which devices can install the One UI 8 beta?
A: The beta is currently available for Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra models in the US, UK, Germany, and South Korea.
Q: Is it safe to install the One UI 8 beta on my daily phone?
A: Since this is a beta release, it may contain bugs and stability issues. It’s recommended to back up your data and consider waiting if your phone is critical for daily use.
Q: How large is the One UI 8 beta update?
A: The download size is approximately 3GB, so ensure you have enough free storage space.
Q: What are the standout new features in One UI 8?
A: Key highlights include the 90/10 split screen multitasking, integrated reminders in the calendar app, dynamic wallpapers, Quick Share visual overhaul, and improved Samsung Internet UI.
Q: When will One UI 8 be available for other Samsung devices?
A: Samsung has not announced a timeline for wider rollout beyond the current supported devices.
