Samsung is accelerating the development of the One UI 8.5 Beta 2 for the Galaxy S25 series, with a new test build recently spotted on the company’s official servers. Identified by the firmware version ending in ZYLD, this appearance suggests that the second beta is entering its final testing phase before a wider rollout to program participants.

One UI 8.5 Beta 2 Could Drop Next Week

It has been over a week since Samsung officially kicked off the One UI 8.5 Beta program for the Galaxy S25. Following the company’s typical roadmap, the second beta usually focuses on bug fixes, stability improvements, and expanding the testing pool to additional markets. After the initial rollout in the US, UK, Germany, and South Korea, it is highly likely that Samsung will extend the program to Poland and India in this upcoming wave.

Notably, Samsung is also developing One UI 8.5 beta builds for the Galaxy S25 in Canada, although there is no clear indication yet that the beta program will officially open in this region. However, given Samsung's history of adjusting rollout scopes with previous betas, a surprise expansion cannot be ruled out.

While Samsung has yet to officially confirm a release date, leaks suggest the update could arrive early next week, specifically on December 22. Beyond standard patches, One UI 8.5 Beta 2 is expected to reinstate two key camera features—Dual Recording and Single Take—which were noticeably absent in the first beta.

Major Upgrades Coming to Camera Assistant

According to insider sources, Dual Recording and Single Take won’t just be returning in their original form; they will be integrated directly into the Camera Assistant module. Samsung is also rumored to be adding more granular customization options, targeting users who demand pro-level control over their camera settings. This aligns perfectly with the broader philosophy of enhancing the photography experience on One UI 8.5.

It’s not just Galaxy S25 users waiting in anticipation; the Galaxy S24 community is also keeping a close watch. With no official news regarding a One UI 8.5 Beta for the older flagship series, users are left speculating. If Samsung sticks to its usual strategy, some previous-generation models might eventually join the beta. However, since One UI 8.5 is considered a refinement update rather than a major overhaul, the scale of the testing program may be more limited compared to previous major One UI releases.