One UI 8.5 knows most of you don't bother with settings, and neither will we

One UI 8.0 has barely started making its way onto more Galaxy devices, yet we're already facing massive leaks of One UI 8.5, Samsung's next big release. Let's have a quick chat about the search function, why we think Samsung is modeling its UI after usage patterns, and what this means for some of SamMobile's future articles.

First things first, here's a fun little fact. Most younger Galaxy device users we've spoken to about how they utilize One UI admitted that they never really bother navigating the Settings app. Instead, they use the search function inside Settings, which makes a lot of sense.

This behavior correlates with one of the things that really caught our eye about the upcoming One UI 8.5 update. To a degree, Samsung appears to have modeled One UI 8.5 after this usage pattern.

A relocated, more prominent search bar at the bottom of the Settings app is among the several design changes One UI 8.5 seemingly brings — at least based on these early build leaks.

Samsung made a similar change when it relocated the app drawer's search bar to the bottom of the screen with One UI 7. The upcoming One UI 8.5 update might take another step in making the UI more consistent and easier to search.

This One UI 8.5 design change will have a direct impact on how SamMobile will approach how-to guides and tips & tricks articles in the foreseeable future.

In other words, we are also remodeling our guide article structure to fit One UI 8.5 and usage patterns. Here's how.

Where applicable, future SamMobile tips & tricks/how-to articles will guide and encourage users to use the search bar in the Settings app to find the option(s) they need/can change.

We will provide a simplified menu structure for readers who may still be curious about how Samsung has organized its Settings app. But, for all intents and purposes, our future how-to guides will encourage the use of the search field(s) in One UI. We're aiming for the new structure to simplify everything.

As for the One UI 8.5 update, it is expected to debut with the Galaxy S26 series early next year. SamMobile readers can expect our updated guide structure to be implemented before One UI 8.5 goes live.