Samsung fans got a big surprise this week as One UI 8, based on Android 16, was spotted running on the Galaxy S25 Ultra — well ahead of its official release. Daniel from Sam Mobile TV managed to install the pre-release version and shared his early impressions, revealing new design tweaks, functionality updates, and a revamped Samsung DeX experience.
Early Access, But with Limitations
Although One UI 8 is now up and running on the S25 Ultra, Daniel notes that it's not an official build. Consequently, many Good Lock modules like Home Up and gesture customization tools are currently incompatible. This early access comes at a cost: much of his personalized setup has reverted to stock.
"The things I sacrifice to bring you One UI 8," Daniel jokes in the video.
What's New in One UI 8
The core UI experience remains familiar: swipe gestures for notifications and quick settings behave just like in One UI 7. However, subtle visual changes are present, such as notification background blur and slight color tone adjustments.
One of the standout features comes in the Gallery app. A new "Private Album" toggle appears under Gallery Labs, allowing users to hide images without relying on Samsung’s Secure Folder. Another addition, "Mirror Screen Mode in Viewer", gives users more control when casting images or videos to an external display.
The predictive back gesture — a highlight of Android 16 — also makes its way into One UI 8. The animation isn't fully functional across all apps yet, but it’s clear Samsung is preparing the ground.
Refreshed Samsung DeX Experience
Perhaps the most exciting update is the redesigned Samsung DeX. When connected to an external monitor, DeX now opens with a new welcome screen, cleaner layout, and refined UI elements that more closely resemble a traditional desktop environment.
The DeX app drawer is now less intrusive, the dock is more centralized, and a new Snap Layouts feature lets users snap windows left, right, or center — adding more multitasking flexibility.
Also new is the ability to set dedicated wallpapers for DeX, rotate the display vertically, and choose between extended or mirrored desktop modes.
While the camera app on One UI 8 remains unchanged, with no new features or settings, Daniel points out that apps like Expert RAW are currently incompatible, reinforcing that this is a very early build.
Quick Share Evolves
Samsung's Quick Share also receives a UI and functionality upgrade, aligning more with Google's Nearby Share integration. The toggles are now clearly divided between "Send" and "Receive," reinforcing Samsung's ongoing collaboration with Google on seamless sharing.
Final Thoughts
Though not yet stable or fully supported, One UI 8 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra hints at a polished, evolutionary update with focused improvements in usability, sharing, and desktop experience. For those eager to test the waters, Daniel warns that patience will be key until a finalized version is released.
Keep an eye on Sam Mobile TV and The Blaze Times for continued coverage as One UI 8 development progresses.
Source Credit:
Video by Sam Mobile TV, "HANDS ON with One UI 8 and S25 Ultra!"
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wjs4bR1968