Samsung Updates Its AI Assistant Bixby in One UI 8.5

Samsung has announced an update to Bixby that upgrades its natural language capabilities on Galaxy phones, rolling out as part of One UI 8.5 ahead of the company’s upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event.

According to Samsung’s press release, Bixby will now allow users to control and navigate Galaxy devices using natural language without needing to know exact setting names or menu structures. The update is designed to help users describe what they want to do or ask why something is happening on their device, and receive direct access to the relevant setting or action, similar to Apple's AI assistant Siri.

The upcoming Galaxy S26 series is likely to ship with the updated Bixby experience, while existing supported Galaxy models should receive the feature through the manual software updates.

Bixby Expands Natural Language Control on Galaxy Devices

Samsung states that users no longer need to memorize specific commands or navigate through multiple layers of settings. Instead, Bixby can interpret conversational requests and map them to system features.

Samsung provides several examples:

• If the display is straining a user’s eyes, asking Bixby what to do can trigger the Eye Comfort Shield setting.
• Asking, “Why is my phone screen always on when it’s inside my pocket?” prompts Bixby to surface the Accidental Touch Protection setting.
• Users can request automated routines, such as dimming display brightness at 9 p.m. daily, and Bixby will create the routine automatically.

The company positions the update as a way to reduce friction in accessing deeper customization options that many Galaxy users may not know exist.

Integration Of Bixby Within One UI 8.5

The Bixby update is tied to Samsung’s One UI 8.5 software release. Samsung has not provided a full device compatibility list in the material, but the update is most likely expected to reach current and next-generation Galaxy phones.

Samsung has faced criticism in previous years for Bixby’s limitations compared to other digital AI assistants. With the rise of generative AI, Samsung appears to be repositioning Bixby as a device-level assistant focused on understanding natural language prompts related to phone settings and features.

The company does not mention external AI providers in the announcement. However, previous reports have suggested that Samsung may use a combination of its own AI models and third-party systems for more complex prompts. Samsung has previously partnered with Perplexity and offered promotional Perplexity Pro subscriptions to Galaxy users. The current Samsung press release does not confirm how the partnership with Perplexity factors into this update.

What This Means for Galaxy Users

For current Galaxy owners, the update may change how they access settings and routines. Instead of manually searching through menus, users can describe the issue or desired outcome in simple human language.

If your Galaxy phone receives One UI 8.5, you can test the new functionality by:

1. Updating to the latest available One UI version in Settings > Software Update.
2. Activating Bixby using the assigned button or voice trigger.
3. Asking a settings-related question in natural language, such as describing a display or battery issue.
4. Review the suggested action before confirming any system change.

Because One UI updates typically launch in phases, availability may vary by device model and region.

Samsung should provide more details during its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event, where the Galaxy S26 is likely to be introduced. The full list of supported devices and regional rollout timing for One UI 8.5 has not yet been disclosed.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

Posted Monday 23 February 2026 at 3:42 am AEST (my time).

News posts: 2023 5,800+ | 2024 5,700+ | 2025 5,700+ | 2026 (to end of January) 461

RIP Matrix