Samsung’s One UI 8.5 Leak Reveals 3D Icons and Liquid Glass Design
▼ Summary
– One UI 8.5 introduces a subtle “3D” effect for homescreen icons that makes them appear to pop out of the display.
– The update includes several app redesigns, such as bolder looks for Digital Wellbeing and a gradient in the Gallery app.
– New features include “partial screen” support for screen recording and floating UI elements inspired by Apple’s Liquid Glass.
– Family sharing features and a “Private display” feature, expected with the Galaxy S26, have been spotted in the build.
– One UI 8.5 is anticipated to launch on the Galaxy S26 series early next year.
Samsung’s upcoming One UI 8.5 software appears poised to deliver a significant visual refresh for Galaxy devices, with newly leaked details revealing a striking 3D icon aesthetic and interface elements reminiscent of liquid glass designs. Early builds of the software showcase homescreen icons with enhanced depth perception, creating an optical illusion that makes them appear to float slightly above the display surface. Technology insider Max Jambor shared live images demonstrating this subtle three-dimensional effect, which primarily utilizes sophisticated shadow techniques to achieve its popping visual impact.
Beyond the dimensional icons, test versions contain several other noteworthy interface enhancements. SamMobile’s examination uncovered comprehensive application redesigns featuring bolder visual elements across core apps like Digital Wellbeing. The screen recording function now incorporates partial screen capture capabilities, while the Gallery application displays elegant gradient backgrounds. These changes collectively contribute to a user experience that shares design philosophy with Apple’s fluid interface concepts, particularly through floating UI components that mimic liquid glass characteristics.
Additional functionality discoveries emerged from SammyGuru’s analysis, highlighting expanded family sharing options that promise greater convenience for multi-user households. Perhaps most intriguing is the appearance of a “Private display” feature within the software code, previously speculated to debut with next year’s Galaxy S26 lineup. This suggests Samsung might be preparing this privacy-focused capability for wider device compatibility than initially anticipated.
Industry observers project One UI 8.5 will make its official debut alongside the Galaxy S26 series early next year, continuing Samsung’s pattern of aligning major software updates with flagship smartphone releases. These visual and functional improvements represent the company’s ongoing effort to refine the Android experience while introducing distinctive design elements that differentiate its software ecosystem from competitors.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
