Samsung’s One UI 8.5 Beta for Galaxy S25 Addresses Multiple Problems

Samsung has broadened the reach of the One UI 8.5 beta to additional regions and nations, delivering the newest software enhancements to a larger audience. The One UI 8.5 beta 2 is now accessible for Galaxy S25 devices, introducing significant bug resolutions and widening the beta initiative to new areas, including India and Poland, along with the U.S. and UK. This update presents visual modifications and features, though some advancements in Galaxy AI are set aside for the impending S26 release.

The latest beta build, designated with the build number ZYLH, is roughly 4GB in size for initial installations. It can be obtained for the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra, but not for the Galaxy S25 Edge and Galaxy S25 FE. Participants can enroll in the beta via the Samsung Members app and upgrade their devices through Settings > Software update > Download & install.

One UI 8.5 beta 2 resolves multiple concerns, including call stuttering, volume button issues, and unexpected app closures. The official changelog points out enhancements in quick panel settings, gallery folder management, and software reliability through application updates. While certain features are yet to be revealed, the update introduces a revamped design, a new Quick Settings panel, and storage sharing across linked Galaxy devices.

Samsung Working on Large-Screen Foldable to Rival Apple’s Initial Foldable

The firm might broaden its foldable collection next year by introducing a Wide Fold in addition to its standard models.

What you should know

– Apple is anticipated to unveil its initial foldable iPhone in 2026 with a wider, book-like aesthetic and a 4:3 aspect ratio.
– Samsung is said to be creating a new Wide Fold form factor to directly challenge Apple’s forthcoming foldable iPhone.
– Samsung may debut three foldables in 2026, incorporating the Wide Fold along with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8.

Apple is speculated to bring forth its first foldable smartphone in 2026. While Samsung has been producing foldable phones for more than seven years, the company seems to be already pursuing a new form factor that would compete directly with the foldable iPhone.

According to earlier reports, Apple is adopting a distinct strategy with its foldable iPhone. While the majority of foldable phones currently on the market are taller than they are wide, Apple’s foldable iPhone is projected to showcase a wider design, akin to that of a passport or book-like structure. This would reportedly provide a more tablet-like experience with a 4:3 aspect ratio, making it easier to grip and more suitable for video and content viewing.

Currently, a report from ET News (via @jukan05 on X) reveals that Samsung has also begun developing a Wide Fold, featuring a wider form factor than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to compete against Apple’s foldable iPhone.

The report indicates that Samsung’s Wide Fold will include a 7.6-inch inner OLED display, nearly aligning with Apple’s speculated 7.58-inch inner screen size.

Samsung may be mirroring Apple’s foldable strategies

The inner foldable display is expected to employ a 4:3 aspect ratio, but the main distinction will be the outer screen. It is likely to be a 5.4-inch panel that is wider than it is tall, in contrast to the tall 6.5-inch outer display present on the current Galaxy Z Fold 7.

This concept is not entirely unprecedented. In fact, both Oppo with the Find N2 and the original Google Pixel Fold have utilized a similar form structure. The reason both Apple and Samsung are heading in this direction remains unclear, but the report implies it provides a greater sense of stability for users.

Furthermore, the report mentions that Samsung intends to unveil the Wide Fold “in the fall.” This device is expected to be an additional member of Samsung’s Galaxy Z-series lineup. Consequently, Samsung could potentially launch three foldable phones in 2026, with the Wide Fold accompanying the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8.

The report also notes that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is anticipated to maintain the same screen size and aspect ratio as the Galaxy Fold 7, meaning no significant design changes are expected for that specific model.

Comparative Evaluation of 10 Fitness Watches for Precise Step Monitoring: Reliable Brands for Your New Year’s Objectives

I tracked each step to evaluate how effectively brands like Apple, Garmin, and Samsung perform regarding walking or running step counts — and the findings were quite unexpected.

In 2023, I donned six smartwatches while covering 6,000 steps to determine the most precise brand. Garmin outperformed Apple, Samsung, and others, but two years later, I opted for a more extensive test involving additional brands and newer versions!

Brands may not highlight step-count improvements, yet Google attempted to refine its step-count algorithm and later reverted it due to inflated results. I suspect other fitness brands frequently update their step calculations, too; timepieces that performed poorly two years ago may have enhanced, while top performers might have declined.

To verify if Garmin still reigns as the step-count leader, I charged 10 of my finest fitness watches — one each from Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Google, OnePlus, Amazfit, COROS, Polar, Suunto, and Withings — and strapped them onto my slender running arms for two 5,000-step walking trials and one 5,000-step jogging trial. I logged steps manually as a control group using a counting app.

Since I could only wear five watches at once, that resulted in 30,000 steps in one exhausting day. However, I gathered some intriguing data! Here are the most (and least) dependable fitness watches for achieving your daily 10,000 steps!

Tests 1 & 2: Step count during walking

My Apple Watch Ultra 2 certainly delivered the most consistent and trustworthy results; its “high dynamic range gyroscope” truly reflects its sophisticated title, whereas the older Series 7 I used in 2023 produced more average results.

On the whole, any watch within 100 steps after 10,000 is still regarded as quite effective by my standards, placing the OnePlus Watch 2R, Garmin Forerunner 970, Polar Vantage V3, and COROS APEX 4 in a reliable category.

The COROS APEX 4, though not flawless, significantly outperformed the APEX 2 Pro in my 2023 assessments. The Garmin Forerunner 970, however, actually showed superior performance in my initial hands-on evaluations, varying by just one step after 10,000. That could have been a coincidence, or perhaps my initial test today was; it excelled notably in the second test. Additionally, Polar met my expectations admirably.

I am baffled as to why the Suunto Race 2 performed so exceptionally poorly; it showed perfect accuracy in the run test, as you will observe, but neglected thousands of walking steps, regardless of whether it was positioned on my wrist or further up my arm.

The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic results were more off than I anticipated from a leading brand, but Samsung has historically not performed well in prior step evaluations, either.

In contrast, the Pixel Watch 4 outperformed my Fitbit Sense two years ago…at least initially. During the second test, the Fitbit app failed to register any new steps, then deducted approximately 4,000 steps upon my return home. I suspect this was merely a strange glitch, but it prevents me from accurately ranking Google’s watch.

Test 3: Step count while jogging

In this trial, every single watch met the quality threshold I expected, even the rather mediocre (Withings ScanWatch 2) or poorly performing (Suunto Race 2) watches from the earlier tests.

I believe it’s simply easier for watches’ accelerometers and gyroscopes to recognize the deliberate, steady motions of a running stride than the subtler, more ambiguous arm movements during walking.

An unintentional experiment: Pocket step tracking

For my final walking trial, since the weather forecast predicted imminent rain, I sported five watches while stowing the other five in my pocket for quick swaps. This resulted in a delightful surprise when I discovered that some watches recorded nearly 5,000 steps from my pocket!

Specifically, the Forerunner 970 counted 5,037 steps, the APEX 4 logged 5,041, and the Ultra 2 registered 5,088. Other watches registered significantly fewer steps, like Samsung (~2,000) and OnePlus (~3,000), but I won’t hold that against these brands; it hardly qualifies as a fair test.

I still find this thrilling because I’ve talked to numerous people, including my brother-in-law, who express frustration over their inaccurate step counts while pushing a stroller or hiking with a trekking pole, as their arm movement doesn’t constitute a “normal” step motion. Yet, based on this experiment, placing your smartwatch in your pocket could be a practical workaround, depending on the brand!

Why an accurate fitness watch is crucial for your step objectives

The goal of walking 10,000 steps daily may have originated as a marketing