As anticipation grows among Galaxy S25 users for the stable release of One UI 8.5, Galaxy S23 owners are left feeling underwhelmed with the latest beta updates. While newer models are receiving exciting features, S23 users are primarily encountering minor bug fixes that fall short of expectations. Let's explore what's new and what's missing in this latest update.
One UI 8.5 Beta Now Available for Galaxy S23
On April 27, a second beta patch for Galaxy S23 models was revealed by leaker Tarun Vats. This beta, with the build version S918BXXU9ZZDP, has been rolled out in India and South Korea, with a global release expected to follow soon.
Improvements Confirmed
One noteworthy aspect of this update is the resolution of some persistent issues for Galaxy S23 users. The 'black screen' problem occurring during incoming calls has been fixed, and improvements have also been made to the proximity sensor behavior during calls.
What’s Lacking?
Despite the updates, Galaxy S23 users find themselves missing out on several key features introduced with the S26. The latest update mainly focuses on bug fixes, neglecting to include some of Samsung’s most impressive AI features. Users are still reliant on Bixby text call functionality, which resembles Call Screening but is not as comprehensive. Furthermore, the much-anticipated AirDrop feature has been confirmed as unavailable for the S23, with Samsung indicating that it will not be available on this model.
Features such as Now Nudge and Now Brief, along with various other AI-driven functionalities, are also absent from this update. While Samsung is modernizing the Galaxy S23, it is effectively leaving the device behind by excluding these contemporary features.
Is It Worth It?
With the Galaxy S23 not yet upgraded to the Android 17 build or a corresponding One UI version, the device still has the potential to receive all the latest updates. However, it appears that hardware limitations may restrict the support for the advanced on-device AI capabilities showcased in the S26.
