While the One UI 8.5 Beta program remains largely exclusive to the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung is quietly ramping up development behind the scenes. The update has surfaced on official test servers for a wide range of smartphones and tablets across various price points. The latest device to join this testing roster is the Galaxy S23 FE, and it certainly won't be the last.

According to findings by tipster Alfaturk, the first internal One UI 8.5 build for the Galaxy S23 FE has been spotted on Samsung’s servers. The global variant of the device was identified carrying firmware ending in GYLF. Like many other Galaxy models, users shouldn't hold their breath for a public beta program for the S23 FE. While Samsung might expand the beta to a few select devices, the chances of the S23 FE making the cut are slim. Instead, the device is expected to receive the stable One UI 8.5 release directly.

A concrete release timeline remains elusive, but Samsung has confirmed that One UI 8.5 will debut alongside the Galaxy S26 lineup before a broader rollout. Given that the Galaxy S26 is unlikely to hit the market before March 2026, the S23 FE will arguably see the update in April at the earliest. However, a realistic rollout could push into May or even June. Following this, Samsung’s focus will shift toward the Android 17-based One UI 9.

Originally launched in October 2023 with Android 13 and One UI 5, the Galaxy S23 FE is eligible for One UI 9, marking its final major OS upgrade. In the interim, One UI 8.5—still based on Android 16—will focus on interface refinements, new features, and quality-of-life improvements. Despite being a mid-cycle update, it promises to bring significant value to Galaxy S23 FE users.