- New features in Samsung One UI 8.5 have leaked
- We've got Privacy Display and Bixby with added Perplexity
- The software will get a full launch soon
Samsung One UI 8.5 is currently in beta testing, and expected to drop alongside the Galaxy S26 phones sometime in February – and as the beta program continues, we're getting some sneak previews of the software features on the way to the best Samsung phones.
First up, SamMobile has found a new Privacy Display feature hidden away in the One UI 8.5 beta code. This feature was leaked last year, and essentially makes it harder for anyone to see your phone screen from an angle, once it's been activated in Settings.
In this new leak, we can see how the Privacy Display feature is presented in the Tips app. The info screen reveals that Privacy Display can be toggled on and off manually, or enabled automatically based on certain criteria (such as when you're away from home).
The same screens have been dug out by SammyGuru, with an extra animation included that shows how the screen darkens at an angle. As per tipster @UniverseIce, the animation actually shows an accurate rendering of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Bixby with added Perplexity
Welcome to 2026 everyone! Let's start this year off with a banger. A look at the new Bixby, powered by Perplexity. Thanks to @achultra for hooking me up with the apk pic.twitter.com/sKZQlEX6w7January 1, 2026
That's not all we've got from One UI 8.5 today. Tipster @thatjoshguy69 has posted a look at Samsung's Bixby AI running on the software, with extra powers provided by Perplexity – a partnership that we had already heard was on the way.
The interface is pretty much as you would expect: run a query, Bixby checks the web, and you get a detailed answer with links back to sources. The only real giveaway that another AI bot is involved is the Perplexity button at the end of the answer.
This seems to be a similar arrangement to the one Apple and Siri have with ChatGPT, and it raises one or two questions about how Samsung will position both Gemini and Bixby on its phones going forward (it'll still want to stay friendly with Google, of course).
Neither Privacy Display nor Bixby with Perplexity are live in One UI 8.5 yet – they're both hidden away in the beta code. As the launch of the software update approaches, we should hear some official announcements from Samsung about these features.
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