Samsung is refining the Galaxy experience with One UI 8.5, set to debut alongside the Galaxy S26 series in early 2026. While the update doesn’t overhaul the interface, it brings thoughtful improvements that make daily interactions feel more polished and intuitive. Two areas getting attention this time around are the power button double-press gesture and app folders.
Power button double-press gets new tricks
The double-press of the power button has long been a convenient shortcut for launching apps, opening the camera, or executing other tasks. With One UI 8.5, Samsung is adding more options to this gesture, including Display Assistant and Secure Folder.
At first glance, this might seem redundant, since both can already be assigned through the “Apps” option in One UI 8. However, with the upcoming update, you may be able to execute custom actions within Display Assistant and Secure Folder. When selected via Apps, you can only launch the app with a double-press gesture. The power menu itself remains largely unchanged, though.
App folders become smarter and more customizable
The homescreen also sees subtle but meaningful tweaks. One UI 8.5 introduces a stacked preview for app folders that contain too many apps to fit on the expanded view. Instead of the old three-dot indicator from One UI 8, users will now see a layered stack of app icons in the bottom-right corner of the folder. This stacked effect visually hints at the hidden apps in the background, making folders feel more intuitive and alive.
In addition, Samsung is giving users more control over folder appearance. Beyond just background color, One UI 8.5 lets you adjust folder opacity, enabling more personalized and visually consistent homescreen layouts. The upcoming update may not reinvent the Galaxy experience, but these changes show Samsung’s attention to detail. Stay tuned for more about One UI 8.5 and the Galaxy S26 series.
