Samsung Breaks Customization Limits with One UI 8.5 Update

Samsung has officially launched the beta version of its One UI 8.5 interface on December 8, introducing a wide range of new features that significantly expand user control and customization across Galaxy smartphones.

The standout upgrade in One UI 8.5 is a major redesign of the Quick Settings panel, giving users unprecedented freedom to customize both the appearance and functionality of their devices, according to a report by Android Authority.

Quick Settings are a core component of the Android experience, allowing fast access to essential features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, media controls, brightness, and volume. With One UI 8.5, Samsung has dramatically raised the level of customization available to users.

Unlike previous versions, users are no longer limited to simply adding, removing, or rearranging a fixed set of toggles. One UI 8.5 allows users to completely remove any element they find unnecessary or intrusive, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth buttons or media players, and reorganize nearly every control according to personal preference.

In earlier releases such as One UI 8, customization options were more restricted, offering only basic rearrangement and limited tool removal without full deletion. The latest update removes those constraints, enabling users to modify almost every element within the Quick Settings interface.

This includes advanced control over brightness and volume sliders, as well as the ability to add new buttons with far greater flexibility. The shift reflects Samsung’s broader vision of delivering a more open and user-centric Android experience that emphasizes choice and personalization.

Samsung’s influence on the Android ecosystem remains significant, despite Google’s control over the core operating system. With One UI 8.5, Samsung offers Galaxy users a level of personal control that rivals, and in some cases exceeds, what is available on stock Android or competing manufacturer interfaces.

Industry observers say the update signals Samsung’s intent to redefine smartphone customization standards and could push other Android interface developers to adopt similar approaches.

The One UI 8.5 beta marks another step in Samsung’s strategy to differentiate its devices through software innovation, reinforcing its position as a leader in Android user experience design.