Highlights
- The fifth One UI 8.5 beta for Galaxy S25 introduces a redesigned Bixby with natural language understanding.
- Bixby now integrates live web search, fetching up-to-date results directly within the assistant interface.
- The beta is live in regions including Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the US, bundled with the February 5, 2026 security patch.
Samsung One UI 8.5 beta update introduces upgraded version of Bixby voice assistant. (Image credit – Samsung)
Samsung has rolled out the fifth One UI 8.5 beta update for the Galaxy S25 series across multiple markets. It introduces a significantly upgraded version of its Bixby voice assistant. The latest build enhances Bixby with more natural language understanding and real-time web access, allowing users to interact with their Galaxy devices more intuitively.
“Since we introduced our first AI phone in 2024, we’ve been committed to making them easier to use so more people can benefit from AI — that’s why we decided to integrate a device agent directly into the experience,” said Won-Joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “To support this, we redesigned Bixby to enable more natural interactions and intuitive device control, reducing friction in everyday tasks.”
The One UI 8.5 beta update arrives just days ahead of the anticipated stable release, which is expected to coincide with the launch of the Galaxy S26 lineup. Here are more details.
Upgraded Bixby Now Supports Natural Language Commands
Following the rollout of the fifth One UI 8.5 beta to eligible Samsung Galaxy S25 users worldwide, Samsung detailed the improvements made to Bixby in the latest update.
According to the company, the enhanced on-device assistant now understands more conversational and natural language inputs. Users no longer need to recall exact setting names or pre-defined commands to perform tasks. This change is designed to reduce the time spent navigating menus or searching for specific features.
Samsung shared an example that if a user says, “I don’t want the screen to time out while I’m still looking at it,” Bixby can interpret the request and automatically activate the “Keep Screen on While Viewing” setting. This will ne possible even if the user does not know the precise feature name.
Samsung also states that the assistant can recognise the device’s current configuration and recommend possible solutions. This capability is intended to help users complete tasks more efficiently, particularly when they are unfamiliar with certain settings or features.
Real-Time Web Search Integration
A major addition in the One UI 8.5 beta is real-time web search integration within Bixby. The assistant can now fetch live and up-to-date information directly from the internet and present it within its interface, eliminating the need for users to open a separate browser.
For instance, when a user makes a request such as “Find me hotels in Seoul with swimming pools for kids,” Bixby will generate relevant results directly inside the assistant interface.
Availability and Security Patch Details
The upgraded Bixby experience in One UI 8.5 is currently available in select regions including Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the US. Samsung has confirmed that a broader rollout is planned in the coming months.
The fifth One UI 8.5 beta also includes the February 5, 2026 security patch. Meanwhile, the stable version of the software is expected to be released alongside the Galaxy S26 series at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event next week.
FAQs
Q1. What’s new in Bixby with the One UI 8.5 beta?
Answer. Bixby now supports more natural, conversational voice commands, allowing users to control settings and features without needing exact command names.
Q2. How does real-time web search work in Bixby?
Answer. The assistant can fetch live information directly from the internet and display results within its interface, eliminating the need to open a separate browser.
Q3. Where is the One UI 8.5 beta currently available?
Answer. The update is live for Galaxy S25 users in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the US, with a broader rollout planned alongside the Galaxy S26 launch.