Samsung expands One UI 8.5 beta to more Galaxy devices, including Galaxy A-series for the first time

At a glance:

• Samsung's One UI 8.5 beta now supports seven additional Galaxy devices, bringing the total to over 20 models
• The Galaxy A36 marks the first time a Galaxy A-series phone has been included in the One UI 8.5 beta program
• The beta is rolling out in phases today across the US, UK, India, and Korea, with device-specific availability constraints

Samsung has announced another significant expansion of its One UI 8.5 beta program, adding seven new Galaxy devices to the testing pool just weeks after the previous expansion. This latest batch primarily consists of older-generation flagship smartphones, but the most noteworthy addition is the inclusion of a Galaxy A-series device for the first time in the beta program. The company confirmed in an official post that the Galaxy A36 will receive the One UI 8.5 beta, representing a notable shift in Samsung's approach to beta testing on its more affordable device lineup.

The complete list of newly eligible devices includes the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and the Galaxy A36. This expansion brings the total number of devices supported in the One UI 8.5 beta program to over 20, demonstrating Samsung's commitment to broad testing across its device ecosystem. The company has adopted a phased rollout strategy that began today, with availability initially targeting the United States, United Kingdom, India, and South Korea.

However, prospective beta testers should note that availability varies significantly by device. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 are only receiving the beta in the United States and South Korea at launch, excluding the UK and India from this particular update. Perhaps most restrictively, the Galaxy A36 beta is currently only eligible in India, meaning users in other regions will need to wait for future rollout phases. Samsung has not specified when additional regions might receive access to these builds.

The timing of this expansion is particularly interesting given that the Galaxy S25 series is already receiving its ninth One UI 8.5 beta release. This indicates that Samsung is simultaneously maintaining active development on its newest flagship lineup while also bringing the same software experience to older devices. The One UI 8.5 update appears to be a substantial platform release, with the company seemingly aiming for consistent software features across multiple device generations.

Another notable development accompanying this beta expansion is the widening of AirDrop over Quick Share support. This feature, which enables easier file transfers between Samsung devices and other platforms, is being extended to more devices as they receive the One UI 8.5 beta. The integration represents Samsung's ongoing effort to improve cross-platform connectivity and make its ecosystem more attractive to users who may also use devices from other manufacturers.

Users interested in participating in the beta program can enroll through the Samsung Members app, which serves as the official gateway for beta testing. The enrollment process typically involves agreeing to beta terms and conditions, acknowledging potential bugs, and accepting that beta software may not be as stable as final retail releases. Samsung has historically used beta programs to gather real-world feedback before wide-scale stable releases, making user participation valuable for identifying issues that may not surface in internal testing.

The inclusion of the Galaxy A36 in this beta rollout signals Samsung's recognition that its mid-range devices represent a significant portion of overall user activity. By bringing One UI 8.5 to the A-series, the company ensures that a broader user base can experience new features without waiting for separate development cycles. This approach could lead to more consistent software experiences across Samsung's entire device portfolio, from flagship Galaxy S and Z devices to more affordable A-series models.