Samsung expands Galaxy S26 AI tools to older phones with One UI 8.5 update: Check eligible devices and new features

Samsung is widening access to its latest Galaxy AI experience by bringing several Galaxy S26 series features to older premium smartphones through the upcoming One UI 8.5 update.

The move signals Samsung’s continued push to keep existing flagship users inside its AI ecosystem, while extending tools that first debuted on the Galaxy S26 lineup earlier this year.

The Galaxy S26 series launched with four headline AI additions: Advanced Audio Eraser, Call Screening, Creative Studio, and an upgraded Photo Assist.

These tools are now beginning to appear on select earlier devices through the One UI 8.5 beta rollout, giving more users access to Samsung’s newest on device intelligence features.

In recent years, smartphone makers have increasingly used artificial intelligence as a key selling point.

Samsung has moved aggressively in that direction, building Galaxy AI into translation, imaging, productivity, and communication tools across its ecosystem.

With One UI 8.5, the company appears focused on one major message: newer AI features should not remain limited to only the newest hardware when capable older devices can support them.

That strategy could help Samsung strengthen long term loyalty among premium users who expect several years of meaningful software upgrades after buying flagship phones.

One of the most practical additions is Advanced Audio Eraser.

Earlier versions mainly worked with recorded videos, allowing users to reduce unwanted background sounds after capture.

The updated version expands that idea significantly.

Users can now lower distracting noise while actively watching videos inside popular apps such as Instagram, Netflix, and YouTube.

That means traffic noise, wind, crowd chatter, or other interruptions may be reduced during playback.

Samsung is also allowing quick access through the Quick Panel, where users can adjust the level of noise reduction without digging through menus.

For users who consume media on the move, this may become one of the most frequently used AI upgrades.

Another major addition is Call Screening, a feature designed for users who cannot always answer incoming calls immediately.

Using on device AI, the phone can respond on the user’s behalf, ask the caller for their identity and reason for calling, then save a recording and text transcription for later review.

The feature could be useful for professionals in meetings, travelers, students in class, or anyone dealing with spam and unknown numbers.

It also reflects a broader smartphone trend where AI is being used to manage routine communication tasks.

Because the processing is handled on device, Samsung is emphasizing speed and privacy focused convenience.

Samsung is also introducing Creative Studio, a new app aimed at everyday creativity rather than only productivity.

The app can help users generate drawings, invitation cards, profile cards, stickers, and wallpapers using simple doodles or text prompts.

This lowers the barrier for users who want custom visuals but may not have advanced design skills.

As AI image tools become more common, Samsung is clearly trying to make content creation a native part of the smartphone experience instead of something users need third party apps for.

Samsung’s Photo Assist tool is also receiving a major expansion.

Users can now edit images through text prompts, allowing more natural language control over adjustments and creative changes.

The updated system can also bring objects or people from one photo into another, making composite editing simpler for mainstream users.

This could appeal strongly to social media creators, casual photographers, and anyone who wants fast edits without complex manual software.

According to currently available rollout details, the following devices were among the first to receive these Galaxy S26 AI tools through the One UI 8.5 beta program:

• Galaxy S25 series
• Galaxy S24 series
• Galaxy Z Fold 7
• Galaxy Z Fold 6
• Galaxy Z Flip 6

This suggests Samsung is prioritizing recent flagship and foldable devices first, where hardware resources are strongest.

Samsung has not yet officially confirmed wider availability for some older premium devices.

That leaves open the possibility that models such as the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5 could receive some or all of these features later.

Much may depend on hardware capability, regional rollout plans, and beta testing performance.

Samsung’s decision to extend new AI tools beyond the latest launch cycle is important for the wider Android market.

Buyers increasingly judge phones not only by cameras and processors, but by how long software innovation continues after purchase.

If Samsung consistently delivers headline features to previous generation flagships, it may strengthen its reputation for premium long term support.

For users, the message is simple: owning an older flagship may still mean getting tomorrow’s features.

The One UI 8.5 rollout could become one of Samsung’s most meaningful software updates of the year, especially for users who want advanced AI without buying a brand new device.

Real time audio cleanup, smart call handling, creative image generation, and stronger editing tools all reflect where smartphones are heading next.

As Samsung confirms more eligible devices, interest is likely to grow among Galaxy users waiting to see whether their current phone is still part of the AI future.