- New features of Samsung One UI 8.5 leaked
- We have Privacy Display and Bixby with added perplexity
- The software will soon be fully launched
Samsung One UI 8.5 is currently in beta testing and is expected to launch alongside the Galaxy S26 phones sometime in February – and as the beta program continues, we’re getting a glimpse of the software features on the way to Samsung’s top phones.
First, SamMobile found a new privacy view feature hidden in the One UI 8.5 beta code. This feature was leaked last year and essentially makes it harder for anyone to see your phone’s screen at an angle, once it has been enabled in Settings.
In this new leak, we can see how the Privacy View feature is presented in the Tips app. The information screen reveals that the privacy display can be turned on and off manually, or turned on automatically based on certain criteria (for example when you are away from home).
The same screens were dug up by SammyGuru, with an additional animation included that shows how the screen darkens at an angle. According to tipster @UniverseIce, the animation actually shows an accurate rendering of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Bixby with added perplexity
Welcome to 2026 everyone! Let’s start this year off with a bang. A preview of the new Bixby, powered by Perplexity. Thanks to @achultra for connecting me with the apk pic.twitter.com/sKZQlEX6w7January 1, 2026
That’s not all we have of One UI 8.5 today. Tipster @thatjoshguy69 posted a preview of Samsung’s Bixby AI running on the software, with additional powers provided by Perplexity – a partnership we’d previously heard was in the works.
The interface is pretty much what you’d expect: run a query, Bixby checks the web, and you get a detailed response with links to sources. The only real clue that another AI bot is involved is the Perplexity button at the end of the response.
This appears to be a similar arrangement to what Apple and Siri have made with ChatGPT, and it raises a question or two about how Samsung will position both Gemini and Bixby on its phones in the future (it will still want to stay friendly with Google, of course).
Neither Privacy Display nor Bixby with Perplexity are available in One UI 8.5 yet – they are both hidden in the beta code. As the software update launch approaches, we should hear official announcements from Samsung regarding these features.
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