Bold claim: Samsung’s One UI 8.5 is signaling a Liquid Glass-like shift that could redefine how you experience Galaxy devices next year. But here’s where it gets controversial: the line between Apple’s polished aesthetics and Samsung’s own flavor is starting to blur more than ever, and that balance matters for how you’ll actually use your phone every day.
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 beta spills insight into a refreshed design language, with several elements that feel almost mirror-imaged from Apple’s Liquid Glass overhaul in iOS 26. This isn’t a wholesale pivot toward a transparent, showy look—there are still plenty of Samsung-leaning touches—but the resemblance is hard to miss.
Take, for instance, the new floating back button appearing in Settings and in Samsung’s first-party apps, a feature that echoes iOS design cues. The UI also leans toward floating navigation bars with softly rounded edges across Samsung’s own apps, including the dialer, which further reinforces the visual parallel to Liquid Glass.
Transparency is being experimented with in the Gallery app as well, adding a hint of see-through panels to the user interface. The Calculator app stands out with a 3D-like “pop top” button style, another nod to Apple’s current design language.
From a practical standpoint, these changes aren’t inherently problematic. Samsung seems to be picking the least controversial aspects of Liquid Glass, avoiding the more heavy-handed effects seen in earlier iterations. Yet it feels like a curious move: Samsung is clearly drawing inspiration from iOS at a time when Google’s Material 3 Expressive design has earned widespread praise. While experimentation is part of innovation, this shift highlights a growing gap between Samsung’s UI and the Google ecosystem, as well as the experience users have with third-party apps on Galaxy devices.
What’s your take on these updates? Do you think Samsung’s direction enhances usability or distracts from its unique Galaxy identity?
One UI 8.5 is slated to roll out to Galaxy devices in 2026, with a probable start following the Galaxy S26 launch. A beta is already available for the Galaxy S25 series, giving early adopters a first look at the new features.
For readers who want more depth, here are related topics to explore:
- A complete rundown of new features in Samsung’s One UI 8.5 update
- How Samsung and Apple fared in Q3 2025’s smartphone market, with iPhone ahead in the premium segment
- News on Samsung’s Qi2 25W wireless charging dock for the magnetic Galaxy S26
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