One UI 8.5 Beta 3 is Here: Samsung’s Best Build Yet?
If you’ve been brave enough to run the One UI 8.5 beta on your daily driver, today is a good day. Samsung just pushed the Beta 3 update (firmware ZZA3) to the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra, and it’s a beefy 1.2GB download. While the first two betas were a bit of a “battery rollercoaster,” this build feels like the turning point. Samsung is clearly shifting focus from experimental features to raw stability as we inch closer to the Galaxy S26 launch.
The most “visible” fix in this update is the resolution of the lock screen clock glitch. For weeks, testers complained about the clock distorting or randomly disappearing—not ideal for a phone that costs over $1,200. Along with this, Samsung has smoothed out the “Live Effect” lag in the Gallery. If your phone used to stutter every time you tried to animate a portrait photo, you’ll notice a massive difference in fluidity here.
We’ve been tracking a specific background process that was eating through S25 Ultra batteries on Beta 2. Samsung’s official changelog confirms they have optimized high power consumption for specific app cycles. While it’s too early to give a definitive “SOT” (Screen on Time) report, the initial idle drain feels significantly lower. The update also bundles the January 2026 security patch, making the S25 the first device on the planet to get this month’s protection.
Quick heads-up for our readers in India and Poland: you’ll likely see this labeled as “Beta 2” in your settings. Don’t worry, you aren’t behind. Because the beta program launched later in those regions, Samsung is sync-ing the codebases. Whether your phone says Beta 2 or Beta 3, if the firmware ends in ZZA3, you’re on the latest 2026 build.
When is the Stable One UI 8.5 Release?
when can we stop being beta testers? Don’t expect a stable rollout this month. Samsung typically uses the final 8.5 build to headline its next flagship. All signs point to One UI 8.5 debuting on the Galaxy S26 series at the late February Unpacked event. If you’re on the S25, expect your “official” non-beta notification to hit around early March 2026.
If you’re already in the program, just head to Settings > Software update > Download and install. It’s a large file (1.2GB+), so grab some coffee and make sure you’re on Wi-Fi. If you haven’t joined yet, the doors are still open in the Samsung Members app for users in the US, UK, India, and Germany—but remember, this is still beta software, so back up your photos first!
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