The One UI 8.5, Samsung’s latest iteration of its custom Android skin, is shaping up to bring some notable changes and improvements to users. As part of the beta program for the Galaxy S25 series, One UI 8.5 introduces a redesigned YouTube card in Now Brief, a feature that offers an at-a-glance summary of your day, including weather, news, calendar events, and health updates. Among the many anticipated features, the revamped YouTube card promises to improve how users interact with video recommendations. This update is just one of many changes Samsung is rolling out, designed to enhance the overall user experience through AI-driven features, visual upgrades, and a smoother interface.
A Major Redesign of the YouTube Card
One of the more significant updates in One UI 8.5 is the redesign of the YouTube card within Now Brief. Prior to this update, the YouTube card displayed videos in a simple vertical list, with a maximum of only two video recommendations visible at any given time. This layout, while functional, didn’t provide much variety or accessibility for users who were looking to engage with multiple video recommendations quickly.
The new carousel layout in One UI 8.5 allows users to swipe through video recommendations horizontally, similar to how some other apps display content. With this change, Now Brief can show up to ten videos at once, each with a larger feature image, making the video selection process much more visual and engaging. This is a significant shift towards a more interactive and dynamic experience, as users will now be able to browse through recommendations more freely, without the need to dive into the YouTube app itself.
More Video Recommendations with Larger Thumbnails
With the new carousel-based approach, the YouTube card can now offer a wider range of video options for users. In the previous version, only a limited number of videos were displayed, and they appeared in a small format that didn’t highlight the content as effectively. The new layout significantly improves the user interface by offering larger thumbnails for each video, which enhances visibility and makes it easier for users to see the content at a glance.
Samsung’s emphasis on relevant recommendations is expected to make the YouTube card more personalized. The enhanced recommendations will likely be driven by user behavior and AI algorithms, which will surface the most relevant and engaging videos based on the user’s interests, viewing habits, and preferences.
How to Access the New YouTube Card in One UI 8.5
If you are enrolled in the One UI 8.5 beta program on your Galaxy S25 device, you can start using the revamped YouTube card in Now Brief. However, if YouTube videos are not yet showing up in your feed, you may need to enable this feature. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open Now Brief Settings: Navigate to your device’s Settings and select Now Brief.
- Tap Content to Include: Once inside the settings menu, tap on Content to Include.
- Select YouTube: From the available options, make sure that YouTube is selected to appear in your Now Brief feed.
If you are not yet enrolled in the beta program, don’t worry. The One UI 8.5 update is expected to officially roll out with the Galaxy S26 series early next year. Samsung may also extend the update to older Galaxy S devices such as the Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy Z lineup in the future, meaning that even users of older devices will eventually be able to experience these exciting new features.
Expanding the Beta Program to More Devices
As of now, the One UI 8.5 beta program is only available for the Galaxy S25 series, but this is likely to change soon. Samsung has a history of expanding its beta programs to more devices, and the Galaxy Z series (which includes the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold) is expected to be among the next batch of devices to receive the beta. The Galaxy S24 series may also get early access to One UI 8.5, providing users with a glimpse of the new features ahead of the official release.
This broad expansion of the beta program would allow Samsung users across multiple device categories to try out and provide feedback on the new features before they are widely available. It would also ensure that users with older flagship devices can still enjoy the latest UI improvements, including the revamped YouTube card and enhanced performance.
What to Expect from One UI 8.5 Beyond the YouTube Card
While the new YouTube card is one of the more exciting updates in One UI 8.5, it’s just one part of a larger package of changes and features. Other anticipated updates in the new version include:
- Revamped Spotlight: With enhanced search functionality and the ability to perform actions directly from the Spotlight interface, users will experience a more fluid and efficient way to navigate their device and execute tasks.
- Improved AI Features: Samsung’s integration of Galaxy AI is likely to result in a smarter and more intuitive user experience. Expect improvements in app recommendations, device performance, and smart automation.
- Customizable Control Center and Menu Bar: As users seek more control over their device experience, One UI 8.5 allows for more customization in the Control Center and menu bar. Users can tailor the layout and choose which apps and controls appear, streamlining their interface according to personal preferences.
- New Actions and Quick Keys: The addition of quick keys and the ability to perform actions directly from search results makes One UI 8.5 even more user-friendly. With these features, users can easily complete tasks without navigating through multiple apps.
- Cross-Platform Cohesiveness: With One UI 8.5, Samsung is also improving its cross-platform experience. The visual changes in One UI 8.5 will align with updates to other platforms, including iOS and iPadOS. This ensures a more seamless and consistent experience across devices.
A Leap Toward a More Dynamic and Personalized User Experience
The upcoming release of One UI 8.5 promises to be a significant upgrade for Samsung users. With reimagined features like the YouTube card carousel, improved AI functionality, and better customization options, Samsung is taking steps to enhance both the visual design and usability of its devices.
For those enrolled in the One UI 8.5 beta, the redesigned features offer a preview of what’s to come, and for those waiting for the stable release, there’s plenty to look forward to. Whether you’re interested in more personalized YouTube recommendations or a more intuitive interface, One UI 8.5 is poised to make Samsung’s smartphones even more engaging and user-friendly.
Stay tuned for the official launch and prepare to experience a new level of efficiency and design sophistication with One UI 8.5 when it debuts for Galaxy S26 and other devices early next year.
