Recent industry reports suggest Samsung may deviate from its standard software release schedule with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
According to leaks regarding Samsung’s 2026 flagship, the device is expected to launch with One UI 8.5 based on Android 16. This would mark a significant shift from the company’s tradition of debuting Galaxy S-series phones with a “.1” software version (such as One UI 6.1 or 7.1), reserving “.5” updates for foldable devices later in the year.
Why Samsung Skipped Straight to One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S26
The primary reason for this version jump appears to be the accelerated release timeline of Android 16. Google confirmed and released Android 16 in Q2 2025, several months earlier than its typical Q3/Q4 schedule. This extended gap has reportedly given Samsung sufficient development time to finalize the more advanced x.5 iteration in time for the Galaxy S26 launch in early 2026.
The move to One UI 8.5 is also reportedly linked to a specific hardware capability dubbed “Privacy Display.”
Leaks from the One UI 8.5 firmware indicate that the S26 Ultra will feature a software-toggleable privacy mode. Unlike third-party screen protectors that permanently darken the screen, this feature would use “Flex Magic Pixel” technology to restrict viewing angles only when active.
Functionality: Users can toggle the feature via the Quick Panel to prevent “shoulder surfing” in public.
Automation: The software may allow automatic activation based on location or specific apps (e.g., banking apps).
Samsung Likely to Reveal Galaxy S26 Ultra With Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 at February Unpacked
Alongside the software updates, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor and a refined design with slightly more rounded corners than its predecessor.
Samsung is expected to officially confirm these details during the Galaxy Unpacked event, projected for late February 2026.
