Open UI 8: These are the changes we expect

Samsung is already working on One UI 8, its next major update, even though many users haven’t yet received One UI 7. Based on Android 16, this version is expected to launch faster than usual, especially as Google might release its OS earlier this year. A leaked beta already gives us a look at some of the changes Samsung is preparing.

A refined interface with smarter features

Although One UI 8 doesn’t appear to bring a complete redesign, it will include subtle but meaningful visual improvements, such as rounded buttons in the Gallery app and a cleaner quick settings panel. These small changes aim to enhance the overall user experience without overwhelming users.

A standout feature is ‘Now Brief’, an AI-powered summary tool that shows personalized information twice a day. This includes calendar events, weather, top news, health insights, and media suggestions. Initially exclusive to the Galaxy S25, the leak shows it now running on the Galaxy Z Flip6, suggesting a wider rollout to premium devices from 2024.

New creative tools and better file sharing

Samsung is also bringing LOG video recording to more devices, extending this high-quality video format beyond the S25 to models like the Z Flip6 and potentially the Z Fold6. Creators will benefit from greater control over post-processing.

File sharing will also get a boost. One UI 8 introduces a redesigned Quick Share system, with separate screens for receiving and sending files. This makes it easier to share content directly from a unified interface, rather than relying on other apps.

A possible launch window

Samsung could release One UI 8 alongside its next foldables—the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7—between July and August 2025, with a public beta expected before then.