Samsung has already planned to skip its additional incremental updates this time, such as One UI x.1 and One UI x.1.1, and has started preparing the newest Android 16-based One UI 8.5. While the version could shortly arrive after One UI 8.0, Samsung appears to be bringing a few changes in the new phone’s setup process with One UI 8.5.
Basically, for years, Samsung has kept the classic three-button navigation method as the default option when setting up a new device; even the Galaxy devices have always provided both the three-button navigation and gesture navigation. This seems to be changing soon, says a recent report by SammyGuru.
Specifically, the report mentioned that in an early One UI 8 build, it was discovered that Samsung is perhaps testing a new ability that will eventually allow Galaxy users to choose between three-button or gesture navigation right at the initial stage of setting up their new device. Simply, users will now be able to choose their preferred navigation style initially, and the three-button navigation style will not be a default option anymore.
However, this change has not arrived with the newest folding phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, which run One UI 8 on board. At the same time, it looks like Samsung will be adding a new system with the next OS, the One UI 8.5, where users will be given a choice to pick either the three-button or gesture navigation style.
But for now, the possibility seems to be, to some extent, also that Samsung is expected to introduce its next-generation models, the Galaxy S26 series with the newest Android 16-based One UI 8.5, out of the box. It remains to be seen whether this leak of the ability to choose the navigation style at the initial device setup phase comes true or not.
