Samsung has made it clear that Bixby is not going anywhere. Even after making Google Gemini the default assistant on Galaxy phones, the company is now giving Bixby a major upgrade. Samsung has officially announced that a redesigned version of Bixby is entering beta testing with the One UI 8.5 update.
One UI 8.5 has been in beta since December 2025. The new Bixby is expected to fully launch alongside the Galaxy S26 series, which is likely to arrive in February 2026. This marks a big shift after Bixby was pushed to the background when Samsung partnered with Google at the Galaxy S25 launch last year.
Samsung’s new Bixby Features in one UI 8.5
Samsung says the new Bixby is being rebuilt as a conversational device agent. This means it will focus mainly on controlling phone settings in a more natural way. Users will no longer need to remember exact setting names. They can just speak normally.
If someone says they do not want the screen to turn off while looking at it, Bixby will understand and enable the right setting. If a user asks why the phone turns on inside their pocket, Bixby will suggest features like accidental touch protection and let them turn it on instantly.
Bixby will also look at how the phone is currently set up. Instead of giving general advice, it will suggest fixes based on the actual device settings. This makes the assistant more practical for everyday use.
Bixby gets real-time web search and Galaxy S26 launch timeline
Samsung has also partnered with Perplexity to give Bixby real time web search abilities. This means users can ask general questions and get fresh results directly inside the assistant. There is no need to open a browser.
For example, asking for family friendly hotels in Seoul will show updated web results within Bixby itself. Samsung says this change is meant to make Bixby useful beyond just phone controls.
The new Bixby will first appear in the One UI 8.5 beta in select regions. A wider rollout will follow later. One UI 8.5 is expected to officially debut with the Galaxy S26 series.
Samsung is reportedly planning its Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event for February 26. The company is expected to launch the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra at the event, with sales likely starting in March. Samsung has not confirmed these dates yet.
With this update, Samsung is clearly trying to give Bixby a second life instead of quietly replacing it.
