One UI’s Secure Folder is a brilliant idea that landed on Pixel phones as Private Space. This Samsung feature had a privacy flaw, which One UI 8 quietly addresses.

Galaxy users can secure their private files under Secure Folder’s dedicated storage, which can’t be accessed without the necessary credentials. However, some system components were allowed to offer access to that stuff with physical access to the device.

Samsung’s new One UI 8 update makes the Secure Folder truly private.

The major update reclassifies the Secure Folder feature as a “private” profile. It changes “work profile” like nature of the service, ultimately blocking access to secured files (photos, videos, audios, and so on) using Android systems like Photo Picker.

It brings Secure Folder a step closer to Google’s Private Space architecture. All in all, it’s a beneficial yet necessary shift, ensuring data privacy and secrecy. Now, the stuff you’re sending in Secure Folder will remain completely secure all the way.

Secure Folder adopting the Private Space approach signals Android’s system-level tools to treat it as a protected space. Well, it will only work when you hide the Secure Folder; just closing the app won’t trigger the ultimate privacy boost.

Secure Folder in One UI 8 | Via – Android Authority

Samsung has deployed a crucial security improvement on One UI 8. Since there’s still room for improvement, the current move is a welcome one. Hopefully, Secure Folder will be that advanced to function like it’s intended to.

Stable One UI 8 is available on Samsung’s latest foldables, while the Beta version is on the Galaxy S25 series. Samsung is expected to start official update’s rollout in the third quarter of the year for many flagship smartphones.

Samsung is preparing the One UI 8 update for the Galaxy A34 5G and A35 5G. The two are among the company’s best-selling mid-range smartphones. Developments suggest that preparation for the major update is underway in full swing.

Galaxy A35 One UI 8 Update

Earlier this month, Samsung’s FOTA server listed early One UI 8 firmware for the Galaxy A35. Now, the device has been spotted running the latest firmware on Geekbench, scoring 1027 single-core and 2502 multi-core points.

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Galaxy A34 One UI 8 Update

Samsung’s internal One UI 8 also emerged on the server for the Galaxy A34 model. It’s a predecessor to the Galaxy A35 and was launched alongside the Galaxy A54. Here’s the first build version of the early One UI 8 software:

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Source – Samsung

What’s new in One UI 8?

1. User interface – Samsung’s new update has subtle UI changes and more focus on refining the user interface and appearance.
2. Enhanced apps – One UI 8 brings enhanced Samsung apps with a clean interface, easier navigation, and deeper integration with others.
3. New features – Samsung’s Android 16 skin brings stunning new security features, faster and more precise Object Eraser, and more perks.
4. Connected devices – One UI 8 focuses more on harmonizing connectivity across devices such as Samsung TVs, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, and appliances.

What’s next?

Samsung is internally testing One UI 8 for multiple devices, with the Galaxy A34 and A35 among them. It’s a regular process followed by the software development team, and the build will keep changing until the rollout.

The firmware listing doesn’t guarantee an imminent rollout of the update. It’s just a first step towards dropping the OTA on eligible models. You can look forward to Samsung for a rollout roadmap, which will be available in the Members app.

One UI 8 Watch Beta will soon be available for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 5 series. Samsung is yet to drop the update, but preparations are underway in full swing. The company may soon reveal its expansion plans covering older watch models.

Samsung is getting ready to release One UI 8 Watch Beta for the Galaxy Watch 5 series, as the first Beta build has been spotted on the server with PDA version number R905NKOU1ZYG2 – as first spotted by X user ya_sking12767.

The identification number suggests it’s a Beta firmware, which could be provided to Watch users. Currently, the One UI 8 Watch Beta is available on the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra models in the US and South Korea.

Debuted with the Galaxy Watch 8 series, the new One UI 8 Watch software is built on Wear OS 6. It brings enhanced health features and some exclusive additions to the latest smartwatch models, such as an antioxidant index.

In addition, the new One UI 8 Watch comes with features like Bedtime Guidance to optimize sleep, Vascular Load to measure stress on the vascular system during sleep, and Running Coach to support personalized training strategies.

Samsung Members is the gateway to join the One UI 8 Watch Beta Program. The process is pretty simple if you are running One UI 8 Beta on your Galaxy S25 device; if not, you will have to give consent to the terms and conditions before joining.

The latest mobile devices boot the newest software iterations. Samsung said the One UI 8 will roll out with the Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 and expand to old eligible devices gradually, while no specific timeline was shared for the Watch update either.

Samsung has started testing the One UI 8 update on 2022 foldable smartphones – Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4. It shows that the company is regularly working to make this major update available for older devices.

A reliable tipster spotted the first One UI 8 testing builds for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 smartphones. These builds are F936BXXUAIG3 and F721BXXUAIG3, indicating that major update development has begun.

It is worth mentioning that testing is currently underway on the Indian variant of these foldable smartphones, as the CSC code is INS. This indicates that Samsung will soon make the major update available for these smartphones once the One UI 8 rollout begins for older devices.

Image via TarunVats

Along with these foldables, several Galaxy devices, including mid-range, low-budget, and premium ones, are also under internal testing for One UI 8. Some of these devices are Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and more.

Samsung launched the stable One UI 8 update with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. However, Samsung is also testing new features on the Galaxy S25 series with a Beta update.

Even after the stable update release, Samsung hasn’t reveal the OneUI 8 rollut plan for older devices. It is expected that the company will soon make this major update available for more Galaxy devices. Stay tuned for more information.

Apple’s product ecosystem always gets praise, even from rivals, for its design harmony. Whether it’s iPhones, iPads, or MacBooks, or software like iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, all feature the same curves and design language. Samsung’s design is officially going that way, starting with the One UI 7 and Galaxy S25 series, followed by One UI 8 and Galaxy Z7 series, and highly anticipated in the One UI 8.5 and Galaxy S26 series next year.

Galaxy x One UI – Design Philosophy

Samsung is focusing on harmonizing its flagship products with the One UI design. Both hardware and software will bring similar curves and design language. It’s going to evolve with each iteration of new flagships and One UI versions for sure.

One UI 7 is the start

Samsung MX Division’s Yang confirmed that the company has aligned the product’s corner radius with One UI icon geometry. The design shift was also seen in the Quick and Notification Panel’s components, aligning with the S25 series aesthetic.

One UI 8 leads the way

Samsung’s new foldable phones retain the One UI 7 design language. It focuses on uplifting the user experience by enhancing system apps and services. As far as the UI design is concerned, the curves and aesthetics are optimized in foldables and One UI 8.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and S25 Ultra (right)

One UI 8.5 will follow

With One UI 7 initiated design harmony and One UI 8 leading the way, Samsung is committed to continuing it further. Samsung’s Yang confirmed that Samsung will “continue to align the GUI (Graphic User Interface) with the underlying style of the product for future releases, too.”

While this statement has no mention of One UI 8.5 and the Galaxy S26 series, the strategic design deployment is indeed planned for these two products. Some credible sources confirmed that the next flagship lineup will debut with One UI 8.5 software.

Galaxy S26 series is almost six months away, and we are not aware of the design changes. Samsung’s approach may continue to focus on refining the design rather than making a major appearance overhaul, so expect a S25 Ultra-like design.

Expect new features and smoother animations in Samsung’s next One UI 8 iteration. Galaxy AI may also see a huge boost in terms of usability and productivity. Multimodal and anticipation abilities would also be worth noticing in the future Galaxies.