One UI 8.5 is the version of Samsung’s software that ships with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is based on Android 16 and brings a significant set of updates across Galaxy AI[1], the interface, and device connectivity.Several Galaxy AI features that debut with the Galaxy S26 Ultra are exclusive to One UI 8.5 at launch, and a number of the interface changes affect everyday tasks like managing notifications, sharing files, and customising the lock screen.The key changes in One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S26 Ultra:Creative Studio[2]: A new standalone Galaxy AI tool for generating images from text prompts.Photo Assist[3]: Completely overhauled with a new Create tab, Style tool, edit history, and on-device processing toggle.Audio Eraser[4]: Expanded to work in real time while watching videos in supported streaming apps.Notification Highlights: New Galaxy AI feature that summarizes notifications and prioritises alerts.Quick Share[5] with AirDrop support: Galaxy devices can now share files directly with iPhones via AirDrop.Quick Panel redesign: A completely rebuilt Quick Panel with expanded customisation options.Lock screen improvements: New clock styles, smarter wallpaper fitting, and downloadable interactive wallpapers.What is Creative Studio on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?Creative Studio is a standalone Galaxy AI app that generates images from scratch using text prompts. Where Photo Assist edits photos you have already taken, Creative Studio creates entirely new visuals — stickers, wallpapers, greeting cards, profile cards, and invitation cards — based on what you describe.To use it, open Creative Studio from the app drawer, choose a template type, and type a description of what you want. You can also combine sketches, existing photos, and text prompts for more control over the result. Creative Studio is also accessible directly from Samsung Notes, where you can generate a sticker or card and embed it in a note without switching apps.What has changed with Photo Assist?Photo Assist received the biggest update of any Galaxy AI feature in One UI 8.5. Previously best known as an object removal tool, it has been rebuilt into a multi-function photo editing suite in the Gallery app, split into four tools: AI Eraser, Move, Create, and Style.The most significant addition is the Create tab, which lets you edit photos using voice and text prompts. You can describe a change to the scene — adjusting the lighting, changing the background, adding or removing elements — and Galaxy AI regenerates the image accordingly. The Style tool transforms photos into different visual styles including 3D cartoon, comic, and watercolour.One UI 8.5 also adds an edit history to Photo Assist, so you can step back through previous edits if you change your mind. An on-device processing toggle lets you run object removal entirely on the Galaxy S26 Ultra without sending image data to the cloud.How has Audio Eraser improved on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?Audio Eraser was already available on previous Galaxy phones for cleaning up background noise from videos you recorded yourself. In One UI 8.5, it has been significantly expanded. It now works in real time while you are watching videos in supported third-party apps including YouTube, Netflix, and Instagram.To use it while streaming, swipe down to open the Quick Panel and tap Audio Eraser while a video is playing. A noise reduction slider and a Voice Focus toggle let you adjust how aggressively background sound is filtered. The six types of sound it can detect and reduce are voices, music, wind, nature, crowd, and noise.What is Notification Highlights?Notification Highlights is a new Galaxy AI feature that makes the notification panel easier to manage in two ways. First, it summarizes long chat notifications and busy group threads into a shorter version so you can see what a conversation is about at a glance without expanding it. Second, it learns which notifications you tend to check first and moves the most relevant ones to the top of your panel over time.You can enable Notification Highlights from Settings > Galaxy AI > Notification Highlights. It takes a few days to learn your patterns before the prioritisation becomes noticeably accurate.Does the Galaxy S26 Ultra support AirDrop?One of the most practical non-AI additions in One UI 8.5 is AirDrop compatibility in Quick Share. Galaxy devices can now send and receive files directly with iPhones using AirDrop, removing the need to use email, messaging apps, or third-party tools for cross-platform file sharing.To use it, open Quick Share, enable the Share with Apple devices option in settings to be discoverable by nearby Apple devices, and share as normal. The feature works in both directions — Galaxy to iPhone and iPhone to Galaxy. It is available on the Galaxy S26 Ultra and other devices receiving One UI 8.5.What has changed with the Quick Panel?One UI 8.5 includes a complete redesign of the Quick Panel, the overlay you access by swiping down from the top of the screen. The new design gives significantly more customisation over which toggles appear, how they are arranged, and how the panel behaves.You can set it up to show the controls you use most frequently in the most accessible positions, reducing the number of swipes needed to reach common settings.The redesign also introduces a cleaner visual layout with updated toggle styles.[1] Galaxy AI: Samsung account login is required for certain AI features.[2] Creative Studio: Requires network connection and Samsung account login. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.[3] Photo Assist: Requires network connection and Samsung account login. A visible watermark is overlaid on the saved image to indicate it was generated by Galaxy AI. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.[4] Audio Eraser: Samsung account login required. Six types of sound can be detected; voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise. Results may vary depending on audio source & condition of the video. Network connection required to be used on supported apps.[5] Quick Share can be compatible with Android 6 (M OS) or higher devices, Chromebook, and some Windows devices. Quick Share between Galaxy devices requires smartphones and tablets with One UI 2.1 or above, and PCs running Windows 10 or later.