Samsung’s One UI 8.5 features have disappointed early testers who say the company axed video-related functionality that users expected to arrive with the update. The rollout is still in beta across select markets, but the removal of key capabilities is already raising concerns about Samsung’s feature priorities and what the final release will actually deliver.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung removed the “Hey Plex” wake phrase from One UI 8.5, forcing users to manually open Perplexity or use the side button instead.
- The seventh One UI 8.5 beta is rolling out to Galaxy S25 series devices in South Korea, India, and Germany.
- The update fixes a critical proximity sensor bug that converted voice calls into video calls.
- One UI 8.5 features multiple Gallery, Messages, and connectivity fixes, but the removal of voice activation suggests Samsung is scaling back user-facing conveniences.
- The US has not yet received this beta, meaning feature removals may still change before the global release.
What One UI 8.5 Features Are Actually Missing
The most visible casualty in One UI 8.5 features is the disappearance of Samsung’s “Hey Plex” wake phrase, which previously allowed users to activate Perplexity without touching their phone. Now, users must either open the app manually or press the side button instead—a step backward in voice-first convenience. The removal signals that Samsung may be deprioritizing hands-free video or AI assistant activation, even as competitors lean harder into voice control.
What makes this removal particularly frustrating is the timing. Users waited for One UI 8.5 expecting feature additions, not subtractions. The wake phrase removal is not presented as a bug fix or a temporary limitation—it appears to be a deliberate design choice, raising questions about what other conveniences Samsung may have quietly eliminated.
One UI 8.5 Features That Actually Improved
Not every change in One UI 8.5 features represents a step backward. Samsung’s seventh beta includes a critical fix for a proximity sensor malfunction that incorrectly converted voice calls into video calls—a bug that could have caused embarrassing situations for users. This fix alone justifies the update for many Galaxy S25 owners who experienced the issue.
Beyond the proximity sensor repair, One UI 8.5 features address a frustrating Gallery crash that occurred when launching a new project, stuttering in Samsung Messages when viewing unread messages, and improved visibility of the Gmail search box in dark mode. The update also restored the ability to export photos from private albums in Gallery and fixed Toast pop-up behavior during DeX connection. These are solid, unglamorous improvements that make the software more stable, even if they lack the appeal of new features.
One UI 8.5 Features Across Regional Rollouts
Samsung’s approach to One UI 8.5 features varies by region, with the seventh beta currently available only in South Korea, India, and Germany for Galaxy S25 series devices. The US market has not yet received this version, meaning American users remain unaware of the feature removals until Samsung decides to expand the rollout. This staged approach gives Samsung time to adjust course if user backlash intensifies, though the absence of the wake phrase in the current beta suggests the removal is intentional rather than accidental.
The 980 MB beta package indicates substantial changes under the hood, though not all of them are visible to users. Samsung is actively iterating on One UI 8.5 features during the testing phase, which means the final release could still differ from what beta testers are experiencing. However, the removal of the “Hey Plex” wake phrase has persisted through multiple beta versions, suggesting it is unlikely to return before launch.
How One UI 8.5 Features Compare to Previous Versions
One UI 8.5 features a different philosophy than earlier Samsung software. Previous versions emphasized adding convenience features like voice activation and AI assistant integration. The current beta, by contrast, focuses on stability and bug fixes while removing at least one user-facing convenience feature. This shift reflects either resource constraints or a strategic decision to simplify the software—neither of which is reassuring to users who upgrade expecting improvements, not reductions.
The gap between user expectations and One UI 8.5 features is real. Samsung marketed this update as a major release with new capabilities, yet early evidence suggests the company is delivering fewer conveniences, not more. The removal of the wake phrase is the most obvious casualty, but it may not be the only one.
Is the “Hey Plex” removal permanent?
Samsung has not officially confirmed whether the “Hey Plex” wake phrase removal is permanent or temporary. The feature has disappeared from the seventh beta without explanation, and it remains absent as the rollout continues. Unless Samsung reverses course before the final release, users should assume the wake phrase is gone for good.
When will One UI 8.5 features roll out globally?
Samsung has not announced a global rollout date for One UI 8.5. The seventh beta is currently limited to South Korea, India, and Germany, with the US still waiting. Based on Samsung’s typical beta-to-release timeline, a global launch could arrive within weeks, though the company may continue regional testing for longer.
What other One UI 8.5 features might be missing?
The research available does not confirm whether other features have been removed alongside the “Hey Plex” wake phrase. Users should monitor beta changelogs and community forums as Samsung continues rolling out new versions. Feature removals are often discovered only when users notice something is gone, rather than through official changelogs.
One UI 8.5 features represent a mixed bag: solid bug fixes and stability improvements paired with the removal of a convenience feature users relied on. Samsung’s decision to axe the “Hey Plex” wake phrase raises uncomfortable questions about what else might be missing when the software finally reaches your phone. The beta phase is meant to catch these issues before launch, but only if users report them loudly enough to matter.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Android Central
