According to SamMobile, Samsung’s One UI 8.5 update is now confirmed to be in development for the company’s affordable Galaxy M series. This comes after the beta launch for the Galaxy S25 series and the confirmation of firmware work for other devices. A test build has been specifically spotted on a Galaxy M54 model in several regions including the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. The Galaxy M lineup is typically limited to these markets and does not see a wide release in North America. However, the stable One UI 8.5 update is not expected to arrive for existing devices until after the Galaxy S26 series launches around March of next year. Even then, flagship phones will be first in line, with M series devices receiving it much later.
The long road ahead
So, the M series is on the list. That’s good news for owners of these phones. But here’s the thing: being “in the pipeline” for Samsung’s budget line is a bit like getting a boarding pass for a flight that’s still being built. The timeline they’re hinting at is massive. We’re talking about a stable release potentially in 2026 for phones that are already on the market today.
And that’s the real story here. Samsung’s update hierarchy is brutally clear. Flagships first, then maybe the higher-end A series, and then, way down the line, the M series gets its turn. It’s a practical business decision—they allocate engineering resources where the margins and perceived brand value are highest—but it’s a constant pain point for the budget segment. You buy a phone knowing a major update is coming, but by the time it lands, you might already be thinking about your next device.
Why this still matters
Look, I get the skepticism. Why get excited about an update you won’t see for maybe a year and a half? Basically, it’s about commitment. The fact that Samsung is even baking One UI 8.5 for these models signals they intend to support them for the long haul, at least on paper. It’s a data point for consumers comparing brands in the fiercely competitive budget space.
But it also highlights a weird tension. Companies pour money into marketing these “major updates” as a key selling point. Yet for a huge chunk of their own customer base, that selling point is a distant, almost abstract future promise. It feels like the software roadmap is increasingly designed for marketing slides and tech headlines, not for the immediate experience of the user holding the phone. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
