One UI 8.5 is the Samsung software version that ships with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is based on Android 16 and brings a significant set of updates to the entire Galaxy AI[1]interface, and device communication.
Several Galaxy AI features starting with the Galaxy S26 Ultra are exclusive to One UI 8.5 at launch, and several interface changes affect daily tasks such as managing notifications, sharing files, and customizing the lock screen.
Key changes in One UI 8.5 on Galaxy S26 Ultra:
- Creative Studio[2]: A new standalone Galaxy AI tool for generating images with text commands.
- Image Help[3]: Completely overhauled with a new Create tab, Style Tool, edit history, and on-device processing changes.
- Noise Eraser[4]: Extended to work in real time while watching videos on supported streaming programs.
- Outstanding Notices: A new Galaxy AI feature that summarizes notifications and prioritizes alerts.
- Instant Sharing[5] with AirDrop support: Galaxy devices can now share files directly with iPhones via AirDrop.
- Quick panel redesign: A completely redesigned quick panel with expanded customization options.
- Lock screen improvements: New clock styles, smart wallpaper installations, and downloadable wallpapers.
What is Creative Studio on Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Creative Studio is a standalone Galaxy AI application that generates images from scratch using text input. Where Photo Assist edits photos you’ve already taken, Creative Studio creates entirely new visuals — stickers, wallpapers, greeting cards, profile cards, and invitation cards — based on what you describe.
To use it, open Creative Studio in the application drawer, select a template type, and type a description of what you want. You can also combine graphics, existing images, and text information to gain more control over the result. Creative Studio is also accessible directly from Samsung Notes, where you can create a sticker or card and embed it in a note without switching apps.
What has changed with Photo Assist?
Photo Assist received the biggest update of any Galaxy AI feature in One UI 8.5. Previously known as an object removal tool, it has been rebuilt into a multi-functional photo editing suite in the Gallery app, divided into four tools: AI Eraser, Move, Create, and Style.
The most important addition is the Create tab, which allows you to edit images using voice and text commands. You can define a change in the scene – adjust the lighting, change the background, add or remove elements – and Galaxy AI updates the image accordingly. The Style Tool transforms photos into unique visual styles including 3D animation, comics, and watercolor.
One UI 8.5 also adds editing history to Photo Assist, so you can go back with previous edits if you change your mind. The on-device processing modification allows you to use complete object removal on the Galaxy S26 Ultra without sending image data to the cloud.
How has Audio Eraser improved on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Noise Eraser was already available on previous Galaxy phones to clean up background noise from self-recorded videos. In One UI 8.5, it has been greatly expanded. It now works in real-time while watching videos on supported third-party apps including YouTube, Netflix, and Instagram.
To use it while streaming, swipe down to open the Quick Panel and tap Noise Canceler while the video is playing. The noise reduction slider and Voice Focus toggle allow you to adjust how background noise is filtered. The six types of sound I can hear and reduce are voices, music, wind, nature, crowd, and noise.
What are Outstanding Notifications?
Featured Notifications is a new Galaxy AI feature that makes the notification panel easy to manage in two ways. First, it summarizes long chat notifications and active group threads into a short version so you can see what the chat is about at a glance without expanding it. Second, it learns which notifications you tend to check first and moves the most important ones to the top of your panel over time.
You can enable Notification Highlights from Settings > Galaxy AI > Notification Highlights. It takes a few days to learn your patterns before the prioritization becomes remarkably accurate.
Does the Galaxy S26 Ultra support AirDrop?
One of the most useful non-AI additions to One UI 8.5 is AirDrop compatibility for Quick Share. Galaxy devices can now send and receive files directly through iPhones using AirDrop, eliminating the need to use email, messaging apps, or third-party cross-platform file sharing tools.
To use it, turn on Instant Sharing, turn on the Share with Apple devices option in settings to discover nearby Apple devices, and share as usual. The feature works in both directions – Galaxy to iPhone and iPhone to Galaxy. It is available on Galaxy S26 Ultra and other devices that receive One UI 8.5.
What has changed with Quick Panel?
One UI 8.5 includes a complete redesign of the Quick Panel, an overlay you access by swiping down from the top of the screen. The new design offers even more customization of what changes appear, how they are arranged, and how the panel behaves.
You can set it to display the controls you use most in the most accessible places, reducing the number of swipes required to access common settings.
The redesign also introduces a clean visual structure with updated conversion styles.
[1] Galaxy AI: A Samsung account login is required for some AI features.
[2] Creative Studio: Requires network connection and Samsung account login. The accuracy of the output is not guaranteed.
[3] Image Support: Requires network connection and Samsung account login. A visual watermark is overlaid on the saved image to show that it was created by Galaxy AI. The accuracy of the output is not guaranteed.
[4] Sound Eraser: Samsung account login required. Six types of sound can be detected; the words, the music, the atmosphere, the environment, the crowd and the noise. Results may vary depending on the audio source and video mode. A network connection is required for use in supported applications.
[5] Quick Share can use Android 6 (M OS) or higher devices, Chromebook, and other Windows devices. Quick Sharing between Galaxy devices requires smartphones and tablets with One UI 2.1 or higher, and PCs running Windows 10 or later.