Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby: samsung galaxy s26 bixby debuts in One UI 8.5 beta
Samsung Electronics announced a beta program for a redesigned Bixby on Feb. 20, 2026, and the company is positioning the update as a conversational device agent. The new samsung galaxy s26 bixby is built to let users control Galaxy devices through natural language and to provide real-time web results inside Bixby’s own interface.
Device controls and natural language
Samsung described the new Bixby as upgraded to operate as a conversational device agent that lets users control and navigate Galaxy devices using natural language without exact setting names or commands. The company offered examples to illustrate the change: a user could say, “I don’t want the screen to time out while I’m still looking at it. ” Bixby understands that request and immediately turns on the ‘Keep Screen on While Viewing’ setting without requiring menu navigation or knowledge of the feature’s exact name. If a user asks, “Why is my phone screen always on when it’s inside my pocket?” Bixby will use the context and bring up relevant settings, such as Accidental Touch Protection, allowing them to turn it on directly.
Real-time web search and AI
The update also adds real-time web search capabilities so Bixby can access live, up-to-date information and show results within its own user interface rather than redirecting users to a browser or separate app. Samsung did not specify what powers that live web access; Perplexity has been mentioned on several occasions. The company framed the change as keeping users focused on tasks by delivering answers and exploration inside a single, seamless experience. An example given was: a user can tell Bixby, “Find me hotels in Seoul that have swimming pools for kids, ” and Bixby will process the request and provide web search results directly within its interface.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby availability
Samsung said the latest Bixby is available in One UI 8. 5 in select markets including Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK and the U. S., with plans for broader expansion to follow. Bixby service availability requires a Samsung Account login and a data connection. The company noted that available functions and features may vary by country, region, and language.
Beta rollout and timing
The announcement in London, UK, on Feb. 20, 2026, framed this release as a beta program for the updated Bixby. After an earlier false start in January, the Bixby reboot was re-announced and has appeared in One UI 8. 5 beta builds on the Galaxy S25 series in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK and the U. S. The latest beta build for the Galaxy S25 series was said to have landed in the U. S. earlier today. One UI 8. 5, based on Android 16, is expected to roll out to Galaxy users in the coming months after launching with the Galaxy S26 series, which is set to go official next week.
Limits, requirements and notes
Samsung warned that Bixby only recognises certain accents and dialects of English (UK), English (US), English (India), French (France), German (Germany), Italian (Italy), unclear in the provided context. The company also reminded users that Bixby service availability requires Samsung Account login and a data connection, and that features may vary across countries and languages. Separately, Samsung Newsroom's videos will no longer be supported on Internet Explorer and readers were asked to try a different type of web browser.
Won-Joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, framed the redesign as part of a longer effort: “Since we introduced our first AI phone in 2024, we’ve been committed to making them easier to use so more people can benefit from AI — that’s why we decided to integrate a device agent directly into the experience, ” he said, adding that Bixby was redesigned to enable more natural interactions and intuitive device control, reducing friction in everyday tasks.
Samsung emphasized that Bixby can not only execute commands but also identify current settings and suggest solutions rather than offering generic instructions, with the goal of reducing trial and error for users unfamiliar with device features.
The beta announcement advances Samsung’s stated plan to integrate conversational device control and live web answers into One UI 8. 5 ahead of the broader rollouts tied to the Galaxy S26 series launch.
