Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby set for One UI 8.5 beta with conversational device agent
Samsung Electronics announced a beta for a redesigned Bixby on Feb. 20, 2026 in London that it calls a conversational device agent, and samsung galaxy s26 bixby is tied to the One UI 8. 5 update that will ship with the Galaxy S26 series set to go official next week.
Bixby reboot follows a false start in January
Samsung re-announced the Bixby reboot after a false start back in January, positioning the update as a major functional upgrade that leans into device control and live web answers. The company says the update will go live in One UI 8. 5, which is based on Android 16.
Bixby rebuilt to be a conversational device agent
In its Feb. 20, 2026 announcement from London, Samsung described the new Bixby as upgraded to operate as a conversational device agent so users can speak in natural language rather than memorizing exact setting names. "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, " said Won-Joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. the redesign enables more natural interactions and intuitive device control, reducing friction in everyday tasks.
Examples: turn on Keep Screen on While Viewing and toggle Accidental Touch Protection
The announcement includes concrete examples of the new interaction model. A user could say, "I don’t want the screen to time out while I’m still looking at it, " and Bixby will immediately turn on the 'Keep Screen on While Viewing' setting without navigating menus. If a user asks, "Why is my phone screen always on when it’s inside my pocket?" Bixby will use context to bring up relevant settings, such as Accidental Touch Protection, and allow the user to enable it directly. Samsung says Bixby can also identify current settings and suggest solutions to reduce trial and error.
Real-time web results appear inside Bixby’s interface
Bixby now supports real-time web search capabilities, returning live, up-to-date information within Bixby’s own user interface so users are not redirected to a separate browser or app. The announcement uses the example request, "Find me hotels in Seoul that have swimming pools for kids, " to show how web search results appear directly inside Bixby. Samsung did not specify the underlying web technology; one mention elsewhere in coverage notes that Perplexity has been mentioned on several occasions.
Availability: One UI 8. 5 beta builds, select markets and Galaxy S25 beta
Samsung said the latest Bixby updates are 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. The reboot is also being distributed on the Galaxy S25 series One UI 8. 5 beta builds in those same markets, and the latest beta landed in the U. S. earlier today. One UI 8. 5 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. Samsung also noted that Bixby service availability requires a Samsung Account login and a data connection; available functions and features may vary by country, region, and language. 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.
Site notes and next steps
The company also flagged a change to its online media: Samsung Newsroom's videos will no longer be supported on Internet Explorer. Looking ahead, the next confirmed milestone is the Galaxy S26 series going official next week and the subsequent roll-out of One UI 8. 5 in the coming months; samsung galaxy s26 bixby features will arrive in that One UI 8. 5 window and are already available to beta testers in the markets listed above.
