Samsung has started the One UI 8 rollout, and it is a big one. The update blends multimodal Galaxy AI with a refreshed interface, tighter privacy, and neat quality-of-life tools that work across phones and foldables. If you live on your phone, this is the kind of platform refresh that changes daily habits as much as headline features. It begins on the Galaxy S25 series, with more eligible devices to follow in waves.

What’s new, in plain English

One UI 8 leans into intelligent, on-device assistance that understands what you see, hear and type. Gemini Live can act on context in real time, so you can ask questions about what is on screen without hopping between apps. Circle to Search gets more fluent at quick look-ups and in-the-moment translations, showing translated text as you scroll. Now Bar surfaces real-time app activity and media progress on Flip’s FlexWindow, while Now Brief curates traffic updates, reminders, health insights from Galaxy Watch, and suggested music or videos based on your subscriptions and interests.

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Security moves from promise to practice

Under the hood, Samsung is pairing personalisation with stricter data protection. Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection, or KEEP, creates encrypted, app-specific storage so sensitive information sits in fenced-off zones. Knox Matrix adds another line of defence by automatically signing a device out of your Samsung Account if it is flagged for high-risk behaviour such as manipulation or identity forgery, and then nudges your other Galaxy devices with guidance to stay safe. Secure Wi-Fi adopts post-quantum cryptography to future-proof encrypted connections against “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, which is especially relevant on public networks. In short, the AI gets smarter while the walls around your data get higher.

Built for different screens, not just one

UX polish is everywhere. AI Results View can open generated results in Split View or a floating window, so your original content stays visible. On tablets and large-screen phones, Multi Window lets you drag AI-generated text or images straight into documents. Writing Assist and Drawing Assist grease the creative wheels when you need to tidy a paragraph or sketch a concept. Flip users get Gemini Live right on the cover screen for hands-free voice search. There is a playful side too, with a clock that adapts its shape and thickness to your wallpaper and more granular FlexWindow emoji and wallpaper options.

Creation and communication upgrades

If you shoot or share a lot, One UI 8 adds practical tools. Audio Eraser detects gusts of wind or traffic noise and tones them down with a tap in supported video and audio apps. Portrait Studio can capture your pet’s expressions, then generate stylised portraits automatically. Call Captions converts speech to text live during calls, and Interpreter supports keyboard input for quieter two-way conversations.

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Compatibility and timeline

The stable release starts on the Galaxy S25 family and is scheduled to reach the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, and Galaxy S24 FE, with additional eligible models receiving it later in the year. As always, availability can vary by market, device and carrier. Before you update, back up your data, plug in or charge past 50 per cent, then head to Settings > Software update > Download and install.

Quick takeaways

• Smarter assistance without app hopping through Gemini Live and Circle to Search

• Privacy upgrades led by KEEP and a more proactive Knox Matrix

• Better multitasking on big screens with AI Results View and drag-and-drop content

• Real-world fixes like Audio Eraser, Call Captions and Interpreter improvements

• Cosmetic tweaks that are actually useful, including an adaptive lock-screen clock

The bottom line

One UI 8 is less about flashy tricks and more about shaving seconds off everyday actions, while making security feel less like a chore. If Samsung sticks to a brisk rollout and app makers tap into the new hooks quickly, this update could be the quiet productivity boost Galaxy users talk about all year.