One UI 8.5 Redesigns App Icons with Realistic 3D Touch

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Samsung’s One UI 8.5 update isn’t just changing system UI elements, but it may also bring a fresh look to app icons. The latest internal build reveals more realistic, three-dimensional icons that add depth and visual appeal compared to the current flat designs. These refinements hint at a subtle but noticeable shift in Samsung’s overall design language.

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One UI 8.5 brings 3D app icons to your Galaxy

Earlier One UI 8.5 test builds already replaced the flat app icons in One UI 8 with subtle 3D alternatives. Now, Samsung appears to be refining those elements even further, giving them a sense of depth and realism. Tipster Ice Universe recently shared updated icons for some apps on X, noting that Samsung is focusing on small but impactful details. The new icons feature more realistic shadows and layered effects.

Among the redesigned icons, the Gallery and Galaxy Studio (Video Editor) apps stand out. The Gallery icon now features more defined shadows around the central dot and the leaf elements, while the Studio app icon gains subtle depth on the editor palette and pencil. These adjustments, though minor at first glance, make the overall interface feel more dynamic and tactile, moving away from the overly minimalist aesthetic of recent years.

The change also highlights Samsung’s long-term plan for One UI. It introduced One UI 7 with a major UI overhaul and refined the UI elements with One UI 8. Now, the upcoming update brings another round of improvements to make everyday interactions feel more polished and lifelike.

As internal testing for One UI 8.5 continues, expect more details to come to the fore. Samsung is expected to launch the One UI 8.5 beta program in late November, with the stable version shipping with the Galaxy S26 series early next year. A wider rollout may begin in February or March 2026.

Written by

Sumit Adhikari

Sumit, a life-long Samsung user, is passionate about technology and has been professionally writing on tech since 2017. He’s a mathematics graduate by education and enjoys teaching basic mathematics tricks to school kids in his spare time. Sumit believes in artificial intelligence and dreams of a fully open, intelligent and connected world.

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