Samsung isn’t rushing Galaxy AI’s next big assistant feature after all. Now Nudge, the proactive AI assistant that was supposed to launch with One UI 8.5, has been delayed. Instead of rolling out alongside the current beta cycle for the Galaxy S25, the feature is now expected to debut with One UI 9.0 later this year.
The shift became clear when developers spotted Now Nudge inside leaked firmware for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, while the latest One UI 8.5 beta releases show no trace of it.
Think of Now Nudge as Samsung’s answer to Google’s contextual suggestions, but more embedded into the system itself.
The feature scans what’s on your screen and offers relevant actions without you asking. Fill out a form on a website, and it suggests autofill options for each field. Book an appointment, and a shortcut to your calendar appears instantly. The idea is to reduce the number of taps between what you’re doing and what you need next.
A leaked animation from last month showed the feature in action. It still carried One UI 8.5 branding, which explains why people assumed it would arrive sooner. Samsung clearly changed course.
One UI 8.5 is already in its fourth beta phase for the Galaxy S25. Samsung has been adding features steadily, including updates to the Now Bar, improved screen recording tools, and new camera functions. Now Nudge would have been the headline addition.
But the company appears to be taking more time to refine it. That makes sense given how many use cases the feature is supposed to handle.
Code found in the One UI 9.0 firmware reveals a wide range of supported actions. Now Nudge will reportedly assist with transportation rentals, flight bookings, government services, location lookups, medical information, phone services, and movie recommendations. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and each category needs proper integration to avoid feeling half-baked.
The list isn’t final either. Samsung will likely expand functionality before One UI 9.0 ships, which won’t happen until the second half of 2025 at the earliest.
One UI 9.0 and the Foldable Connection
The timing lines up with Samsung’s foldable release schedule. One UI 9.0 is expected to launch alongside three new foldable devices this year, possibly including the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and updated versions of the Flip series.
Debuting Now Nudge on foldables makes strategic sense. These devices have larger screens and split-screen multitasking capabilities that could showcase the assistant’s usefulness more effectively than standard phones.
It also gives Samsung more runway to position Galaxy AI as a differentiator in a market where hardware specs are plateauing. Software features like Now Nudge are becoming the real battleground.
Samsung has been aggressive about expanding its AI toolkit. Galaxy AI already includes photo editing tools, real-time translation, and note summarization features. Now Nudge represents a shift toward anticipatory assistance rather than reactive tools.
The approach mirrors what Apple is building with Apple Intelligence and what Google has done with Assistant and now Gemini. But Samsung’s version needs to prove it can handle real-world complexity without becoming intrusive or inaccurate.
Proactive assistants have a mixed track record. They’re useful when they work, annoying when they don’t. Samsung’s decision to delay suggests they’re aware of that risk and would rather get it right than rush it out.
Whether Now Nudge lives up to expectations will depend on execution. The concept is solid. The challenge is making it feel natural instead of forced, helpful instead of overbearing.
For now, One UI 8.5 users will have to wait. Those features are coming, just not as soon as expected.
