Samsung Releases Free Upgrades To Millions More Galaxy Phones
Samsung's One UI 8.5 rollout has reached some of its cheapest Galaxy phones, and more Galaxy S26 features could be heading to the Galaxy S25 series too.
Janhoi McGregor, Senior Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
6/10
Key Takeaways
Samsung's One UI 8.5 update is rolling out to over 10 million budget Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy A07 (sub-$150) and Galaxy M55 series.
The upgrade is based on Android 15 and includes Galaxy AI features like AI-powered photo editing and real-time call translation, previously limited to flagship models.
Galaxy S25 users also receive a secondary update that backports select Galaxy S26 features, such as the new 'Now Bar' lock screen and enhanced DeX mode.
Samsung claims the update improves battery efficiency by up to 12% on older Exynos and MediaTek chipsets, based on internal lab tests cited by Forbes.
The rollout is expected to complete globally by July 2026, with carrier-specific versions arriving up to two months later in some markets.
Samsung is rolling out its One UI 8.5 update to millions of budget-friendly Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy A07 and Galaxy M55, in a move that dramatically expands access to its latest software features. The free upgrade, which began reaching devices in late May 2026, also signals that some Galaxy S26-exclusive features could be backported to the Galaxy S25 series. This marks one of Samsung's broadest software update campaigns, covering price points that often lag behind flagship models. The One UI 8.5 release builds on Android 15, bringing enhancements to multitasking, camera controls, and AI-powered tools like Galaxy AI's advanced photo editing and live translation. Historically, Samsung has been criticized for slow updates on lower-tier phones, but the company has accelerated its pace since establishing a dedicated software upgrade team in 2024. The current wave targets devices launched in 2024 and early 2025, such as the Galaxy A07 (a sub-$150 phone) and the Galaxy M55 (a mid-range workhorse). According to Forbes' Jay McGregor, Samsung's internal testing shows the update improves battery life by up to 12% on older chipsets. The Galaxy S25 series, released earlier this year, is also receiving a secondary update that integrates select features originally planned for the upcoming Galaxy S26, including a redesigned 'Now Bar' lock screen widget and improved DeX mode for external displays. Analysts view this as a strategic move to boost software loyalty before the S26 launch in early 2027. "Samsung is finally treating software as a differentiator, not an afterthought," said ABI Research analyst Marina Koytcheva. The ripple effects could pressure competitors like Xiaomi and OnePlus to widen their own update windows, especially for budget models. For consumers, the rollout means that millions more users will gain access to security patches and new features without needing to upgrade hardware. Samsung targets a completion of the global rollout by July 2026, with carrier-approved variants arriving later. The development underscores a broader industry trend: as smartphone hardware matures, software longevity becomes the key battlefield for brand loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
One UI 8.5 is Samsung's latest software overlay based on Android 15. It brings AI-powered features like photo editing and call translation, improved multitasking, battery optimizations, and a redesigned lock screen widget called 'Now Bar'.
The update is rolling out to budget and mid-range models, including the Galaxy A07, Galaxy A17, Galaxy M55, and Galaxy F55. Some Galaxy S25 units also receive a secondary update with select Galaxy S26 features.
Go to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install. Ensure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and has at least 50% battery. The update may take 10-20 minutes to install.
Samsung targets global completion by July 2026. Carrier-approved variants may take an additional 4-8 weeks depending on region and network testing.
Yes. Samsung reports a battery efficiency improvement of up to 12% on older chipsets due to refined power management and background app optimization in One UI 8.5.
Yes, the update is completely free for all eligible Galaxy phones. There are no charges associated with downloading or installing One UI 8.5.
