One UI 8.5 could bring added flexibility to the Edge Panel

When Samsung introduced its first phone with a curved-edge screen in 2014, it announced Edge Panel. It allows users to quickly access various apps, controls, and tools with a swipe across the screen’s edge. Over a decade later, the company might have stopped using curved edge screens but hasn't killed the Edge Panel, and it appears to be adding more flexibility to it.

We have discovered that One UI 8.5 could bring landscape orientation to the Edge Panel. Currently, when you rotate the phone to landscape orientation, the screen rotates accordingly (including the home screen). However, the Edge Panel disappears from the screen in landscape mode. With One UI 8.5, the Edge Panel doesn't disappear and rotates to fit the landscape orientation.

You can see it in action in our screenshot below.

The Edge Panel can only display three app icons or shortcuts in the landscape orientation, and you have to scroll down to reveal the rest of the shortcuts. If you are interested in reading more about how to best use the Edge Panel, read our in-depth guide for it by clicking here.

With One UI 7.0, Samsung fundamentally changed the way apps and widgets are arranged on the home screen in the landscape mode. And with One UI 8.5, it appears to be making similar changes to the Edge Panel. That's not all. Samsung is also bringing added flexibility to the Quick Panel, allowing users to add or remove any quick setting toggle to suit their preferences.

You can read more about One UI 8.5 and its features here.