Fresh reports from the supply chain indicate that Samsung is preparing a significant software transition with its upcoming Samsung One UI 8.5. According to sources like the tipster known as “That Josh Guy,” the centerpiece of this update is a total reimagining of the Bixby assistant. While Samsung has leaned heavily into its partnership with Google Gemini recently, this leak suggests the company is diversifying its intelligence sources.
If accurate, the new Bixby will be activated by a simple long-press of the power button and will, by default, utilize the Perplexity AI search engine to retrieve real-time information and provide conversational, assistant-style answers.
Samsung One UI 8.5 Update
Analyzing the leaked data points reveals a drastic shift from the current iteration of the software. The interface design of the new assistant is reportedly moving toward a full-screen layout, similar to mature market products like ChatGPT. Users will allegedly be able to launch this full-screen mode by clicking the Bixby icon from the desktop or app drawer.
Technical details suggest the inclusion of a prompt input box at the bottom, a hamburger menu for navigation, and a new chat creation button in the upper-right corner. Compared to the current One UI 7 or 8 builds, this version of Samsung One UI 8.5 seems more focused on research and logic. However, the leak notes that this new Bixby does not yet appear to support analyzing on-screen content or using the camera for image recognition, which is a notable omission compared to Gemini’s current capabilities.
Beyond the AI brain, the update appears to maintain its roots in system control. According to sources, the assistant will still manage smart home devices, system settings, and legacy services like Bixby Briefing and Samsung Finder. Interestingly, Samsung One UI 8.5 may further bridge the gap with third-party ecosystems by integrating services such as Spotify, Uber, Here Maps, The Weather Channel, and even the X platform directly into the assistant’s workflow.
While unconfirmed, these changes suggest the company is pivoting towards a hybrid AI strategy to maintain its platform independence. If these reports regarding One UI 8.5 are correct, we are looking at a much more competitive native assistant that values deep web research over basic voice triggers. We expect to see more verification as the stable rollout of Samsung One UI 8.5 nears its official debut.
