Samsung is moving quickly with its One UI 8.5 beta program, releasing the second iteration just two weeks after the initial rollout. The update arrived today for Galaxy S25 series owners, bringing critical bug fixes, stability improvements, and expanded regional availability that signals Samsung's commitment to polish before the stable launch.

What's New in Beta 2

The ZYLH build focuses squarely on refinement rather than flashy new features. Samsung addressed nine specific issues that affected day-to-day usability, ranging from annoying UI quirks to system-level problems that caused unexpected behaviors.

The most significant fixes tackle issues that would frustrate any power user. Random reboots are now resolved, along with a particularly vexing problem where the volume up button would stop responding under certain conditions. Quick panel settings that previously reset themselves during boot-up now maintain their configurations properly, and icon spacing errors in the quick panel have been corrected.

Samsung also fixed a Gallery app issue where photos organized into group folders would inexectedly move to the first album page. For users who rely heavily on their phone's organizational features, this addresses a genuine pain point that could disrupt workflows.

Call quality improvements made the changelog as well. The update eliminates stuttering when accessing the "More View" menu during calls and resolves audio issues that occurred when connected to Bluetooth car kits. Multiple third-party apps that were force-closing during use should now run more reliably.

Camera Features Make Their Return

One notable addition that wasn't in the official changelog: Samsung restored the Single Take and Dual Recording camera modes that were removed in Beta 1. These features are now accessible through the Camera Assistant app, which may require a separate update from the Galaxy Store.

This restoration demonstrates Samsung's willingness to respond to beta tester feedback. While the company promised these features would return in the second beta, following through on that commitment builds trust with the testing community.

Geographic Expansion Signals Broader Testing Strategy

When Samsung launched the One UI 8.5 beta program on December 8, participation was limited to just four countries: South Korea, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Beta 2 expands availability to India and Poland, broadening the testing pool and gathering feedback from diverse usage patterns.

This expansion matters more than it might initially appear. Indian users, for example, tend to engage in heavy multitasking and demanding use cases that can surface different types of issues than what Western markets encounter. By incorporating feedback from these regions, Samsung can identify edge cases and optimization opportunities that might otherwise slip through testing.

For eligible Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra owners in participating countries, joining the beta program requires enrollment through the Samsung Members app. The update weighs approximately 1.14GB for those already on Beta 1, while first-time installers will download roughly 4GB to get the full beta experience.

The Android 16 QPR2 Foundation

One UI 8.5 represents Samsung's first attempt at building its custom skin atop Android's Quarterly Platform Release structure rather than waiting for major Android version releases. This beta specifically leverages Android 16 QPR2, positioning Samsung to deliver more frequent meaningful updates throughout the year.

This architectural shift could change how Samsung approaches software development going forward. Rather than front-loading all improvements into major annual releases, the company can now iterate more continuously, addressing issues and introducing features on a quarterly cadence that better matches modern software development practices.

What This Means for Galaxy S25 Owners

Beta software always carries inherent risks, but Samsung's second iteration appears focused on stability improvements that make the experience more viable for daily use. The fixes address real issues that affected the first beta's usability, suggesting Samsung is taking tester feedback seriously and responding quickly.

That said, some features destined for One UI 8.5 remain exclusive to the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. Notification Summarize powered by Galaxy AI, for instance, won't make its way to even the S25 Ultra when the stable version launches. Samsung is holding back certain AI-enhanced capabilities for its next-generation hardware, a strategy that may frustrate current flagship owners who expected their devices to receive all new features.

The Road Ahead

Samsung typically releases multiple beta iterations before finalizing software. Industry watchers expect at least four total One UI 8.5 betas before the stable release arrives, likely in late February or March 2026 alongside the Galaxy S26 unveiling.

This timeline gives Samsung several more opportunities to refine the experience based on feedback from an increasingly diverse testing population. Each iteration should bring additional polish, squash remaining bugs, and potentially introduce features that are still in development.

For those willing to tolerate occasional rough edges in exchange for early access to new capabilities, the beta program offers a glimpse at Samsung's software direction. Beta 2's focus on stability over novelty suggests the company learned from previous beta programs where aggressive feature additions sometimes compromised reliability.

The expanded regional availability also democratizes access to Samsung's development process, letting more users contribute feedback that shapes the final product. Whether that translates to a more polished stable release remains to be seen, but the rapid iteration between beta releases demonstrates Samsung's investment in getting One UI 8.5 right.