Samsung is preparing a major upgrade with the upcoming One UI 8.5 software release, and a recent leak suggests the update could help users better manage the flood of notifications that arrive throughout the day. The update, which is expected to roll out to many of Samsung’s top smartphones in the months ahead, has been revealed in a leaked build that highlights a new tool known as Prioritise notifications.
New feature aims to reduce notification overload
According to a Samsung-focused source, SammyGuru, the leaked One UI 8.5 build includes a setting called Prioritise notifications. As its name implies, the feature assigns higher importance to specific alerts, so they appear more prominently in the notification shade. This may allow users to identify urgent or meaningful notifications more quickly, without having to scroll through a long list of less relevant updates.
The description included in the leaked build explains the feature clearly: “Notifications that may be important will appear above other notifications to make sure you don’t miss them. You can choose whether to prioritise notifications for each app in the app’s notification settings.”
This suggests that users will be able to choose, on an app-by-app basis, which notifications deserve higher visibility. Although Samsung has not confirmed whether the feature relies on manual selection, automated intelligence, or a mixture of both, the feature details indicate that any analysis of notification content will be handled directly on the device. No data will be sent to cloud servers, which may reassure users who are increasingly conscious of privacy.
While Samsung has introduced various improvements to notification sorting and grouping in recent years, this addition could bring a more personalised and intelligent approach to alert management. If implemented effectively, it may reduce the stress and distraction associated with constant notification noise.
Expected rollout following Galaxy S26 launch
Samsung has not yet officially announced One UI 8.5 or provided a release timeline, but industry observers expect the update to be introduced after the launch of the Galaxy S26 phone series. A public beta trial of the new software may begin as soon as next month, giving early testers a chance to try out the latest features before the full release.
However, it is not guaranteed that Prioritise notifications will make it into the final version of One UI 8.5. Features revealed during the beta testing stage often undergo adjustments or may be removed entirely based on feedback and development considerations. Even so, early previews suggest that Samsung is placing a noticeable focus on enhancing usability and refining everyday interactions.
There have also been reports of potential delays affecting the Galaxy S26 lineup, expected in 2026, though it remains unclear whether such delays would influence the rollout timing of One UI 8.5. Current expectations suggest that the final software release may arrive in January or February, ahead of the larger One UI 9.0 update anticipated later in 2026.
Additional changes expected in One UI 8.5
The prioritisation feature is not the only improvement rumoured for One UI 8.5. A previously leaked hands-on video suggested that Samsung could introduce a new gesture system that allows users to activate functions with a double-tap on the back of the device. This gesture is similar to one already available on Apple’s iOS, and may offer faster access to commonly used tools or shortcuts without touching the screen.
Other leaks have pointed to interface design refinements and potential changes to camera controls, indicating that One UI 8.5 may be a reasonably significant software update rather than a minor increment.
Samsung has not commented publicly on any of these leaks. Further details are expected closer to the official software reveal, and consumers will have to wait to see which features are confirmed.
