Samsung’s One UI 8.5 Beta 4 arrives this week for eligible Galaxy S25 devices, bringing a kernel upgrade to version 6.6.98, the new Direct Voicemail feature that delivers voicemail as native notifications, and a boost to Bixby’s AI with improved natural‑language processing and contextual awareness. These changes aim to enhance performance, battery life, and voice‑assistant responsiveness.
New Features in One UI 8.5 Beta 4
Kernel 6.6.98 Upgrade
The update moves the underlying Linux kernel to version 6.6.98, aligning Samsung’s devices with the latest mainline improvements. Users can expect better power management, enhanced hardware compatibility, and additional security patches that reduce background CPU spikes.
Direct Voicemail Integration
Direct Voicemail turns incoming voice messages into native notifications, allowing users to listen to a voicemail with a single tap from the notification shade, eliminating the need to open the Phone app.
Bixby AI Enhancements
Bixby receives upgraded natural‑language processing and deeper contextual awareness. The assistant becomes more responsive and better integrated across One UI, opening new possibilities for voice‑first interactions.
Eligibility and Rollout Timeline
The Beta 4 build is being distributed to Galaxy S25 series devices. Eligible smartphones will receive the update through the Settings → Software update menu during the scheduled rollout this week.
Impact on Users
- Performance boost: The newer kernel improves overall system stability and reduces CPU load.
- Battery efficiency: Optimized power management leads to longer battery life during everyday use.
- Convenient voicemail: Direct Voicemail streamlines message handling with instant notifications.
- Smarter voice assistant: Bixby’s AI upgrades provide faster, more accurate responses.
Benefits for Developers
- Access to a modern kernel with expanded hardware support for testing.
- Enhanced AI capabilities in Bixby enable richer voice‑first app integrations.
- More stable platform foundation reduces variability during app development.
What Remains Unconfirmed
While the core features are confirmed, the full scope of Bixby’s AI improvements and any additional minor changes have not been officially detailed. Beta participants may still encounter regressions or new bugs that will be addressed before the final public release.
Looking Ahead to the Final Release
Beta 4 sets a solid groundwork for the final One UI 8.5 launch later this year. The combination of a newer kernel, Direct Voicemail, and an enhanced Bixby positions Samsung’s flagship devices to stay competitive in performance, battery efficiency, and seamless AI integration.
