Samsung Galaxy S23 owners have exciting news as the company has officially launched the One UI 8 beta for the Galaxy S23 series. This major software upgrade is based on the latest Android 16 and comes packed with a host of new features, design improvements, and enhanced functionality. The beta is currently available in select countries, with anticipation for a wider rollout soon.
What’s New in One UI 8 Beta?
The One UI 8 beta introduces a fresh, cleaner, and more intuitive design to the Galaxy S23 family. Among the visual upgrades, the Quick Share feature has been revamped with a full-screen interface, making it simpler and faster to share files with nearby devices. Samsung’s flagship Internet browser has also received a redesign, streamlining access to frequently used tools and enhancing the browsing experience.
Core apps like Weather and Reminders have been visually overhauled to make them more user-friendly and visually appealing.
Enhanced Productivity with Samsung DeX
Power users will appreciate the new multitasking improvements that come with this update. Samsung DeX now supports external displays with new rotation options, enhancing productivity for those who use their devices with larger screens. The split-screen view has been refined to let users run one app in a mostly full-screen format while keeping a second app accessible in a smaller sliver, allowing for quick app-switching with a tap.
Improved Privacy, Security, and Accessibility
Beyond aesthetics and multitasking, One UI 8 beta focuses on privacy and security enhancements. The Secure Folder has been upgraded to offer new privacy controls such as hiding apps entirely and blocking notifications when the folder is locked.
A new voicemail feature has been added to help manage missed calls more effectively. Accessibility tools are also improved, including better support for using a physical keyboard to control the mouse cursor, making the device more accessible to all users.
How to Join the One UI 8 Beta Program
The One UI 8 beta is available for the Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra in some regions. To participate, users can enroll in the beta program through the Samsung Members app by locating the beta program announcement. The update file is approximately 3.1GB, so it’s recommended to download it on Wi-Fi.
Samsung encourages beta testers to report any bugs or issues during the early rollout phases to help optimize the final version of One UI 8 before its general release.