Samsung is planning a big software update that will bring many advanced AI features from its newest phone, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, to older Galaxy smartphones. This means users won’t have to buy a new expensive phone to enjoy the latest tools.
The update, called One UI 8.5, will slowly roll out to Galaxy S25, S24, and even some S23 series devices. Because of this move, 2026 is shaping up to be one of Samsung’s most software-focused years, where updates matter as much as new hardware.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra was launched on February 25, 2026, and became available in markets like India shortly after. Its starting price is around ₹1.3 lakh for the base variant with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. It runs on the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-for-Galaxy processor, which is specially tuned for AI tasks.
The phone comes with a large 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, offers up to 16 GB of RAM, and includes a 5,000 mAh battery with 60 W wired charging and 25 W wireless charging. It also introduces a new Privacy Display feature that hides sensitive content when someone tries to view the screen from an angle, showing Samsung’s focus on both productivity and privacy.
The One UI 8.5 update acts like a bridge that brings Galaxy S26 Ultra-level AI features to older devices. One of the key upgrades is the improved Audio Eraser, which can reduce background noise in apps like Instagram, YouTube, and Netflix. This feature can be controlled using a slider directly from the Quick Panel, allowing users to adjust sound in real time while using these apps.
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Another major feature is Call Screening, where on-device AI can answer calls for the user. It asks the caller who they are and why they are calling, then saves both the audio recording and a text transcript so the user can check it later. This works fully on the device without needing the cloud, making it useful for people who want fewer interruptions during work or daily tasks.
Samsung is also introducing a Creative Studio app that allows users to create drawings, invitations, stickers, wallpapers, and profile cards. Users can either draw by hand or type simple prompts, and the phone will generate designs automatically. At the same time, Photo Assist is getting smarter with text-based editing, so users can give instructions like adding a person from one image into another or blending objects smoothly, and the phone will handle the editing process.
Earlier, there were concerns that features like Call Screening might only be available on the latest models, which would push people to upgrade. However, Samsung has clarified that many of these AI tools will also come to older flagship devices. The Galaxy S25 and S24 series are confirmed, and some S23 models are also expected to get the update, although exact rollout details will be shared separately.
In India, this update is especially important because Samsung has already reduced prices on older flagship phones and expanded One UI 8.5 beta programs for devices like the Galaxy A54 and A55. This shows that the company is focusing on improving user experience through software across different price ranges instead of limiting new features only to premium phones.
Samsung is also bringing similar AI-powered experiences to its laptops. The Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra, launched in early 2026, is designed for heavy AI tasks and creative work. It starts at around ₹2.4 lakh in India and features a 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen with a 30–120 Hz refresh rate and up to 1,000 nits brightness in HDR. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and has an anti-reflective coating.
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Inside, it runs on Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and comes with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 or 5070 laptop GPUs. It also includes a powerful 50-TOPS-class NPU to handle AI tasks like real-time editing and background removal. Samsung says it offers better thermal performance and up to about 30 hours of video playback, making it a strong option for creators.
Together, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy Book6 Ultra, and One UI 8.5 create a connected ecosystem. Users can start tasks like editing photos or recording audio on their phone and continue working on them on their laptop. Files can stay synced through Samsung Cloud and Nearby Share, making it easier to switch between devices. Features like Call Screening and Audio Eraser help reduce distractions, while Creative Studio and Photo Assist make it easier for anyone to create high-quality content without professional skills.
Apart from AI features, One UI 8.5 also improves daily usage with smarter Bixby behavior, better notification grouping, and features like Now Nudge and Notification Highlights, which help users focus on important alerts and ignore less urgent ones. For users in India, where one phone is often used for work, entertainment, and communication, these improvements can make a noticeable difference in everyday use.