Overview
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 is shaping up to be a fun update, especially if you’re into customizing your phone’s lock screen. Last month, the company kicked off beta testing on the Galaxy S25 series, and early users are buzzing about some cool new tricks beyond the usual interface tweaks. Social media is lighting up with reports of a revamped LockStar module that lets you pick from hundreds of unlock animations—think personalized flair every time you swipe or tap to wake your phone.
If you’re in the One UI 8.5 beta on a Galaxy S25, you’re in for a treat. The LockStar app, now at version 8.5.00.8, has exploded with options for fingerprint unlock effects.Famous tipster Ice Universe dropped the news on X, sharing a video of slick animations in action. No more boring defaults; you can now choose styles like Slide (smooth gliding open), Expand (bursting outward), Spread (fanning out), Wave (rippling across the screen), Warp (distorting like a funhouse mirror), and Ripple (gentle waves from your touch point). It’s all about making that unlock moment feel uniquely yours, and it looks gorgeous in demos.
LockStar Update Spotted in One UI 8.5
Ice Universe’s post really nailed it—he called it a game-changer for lock screen personalization. Users on X, like @ya_sking12767, have been posting screenshots and clips confirming the variety.It’s exclusive to beta testers right now, so if you’re enrolled, head to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install to grab it. Non-beta folks will have to wait, but it’s a sign Samsung’s doubling down on fun, bite-sized customizations.
That’s not all, though. Beta reports also highlight manual brightness controls for the Always On Display (AOD). This is huge for phones like the Galaxy S24 and S25 series with full-screen AOD.You can now tweak the brightness yourself, which should make it easier to see notifications in bright sunlight without draining your battery as fast. Imagine glancing at your clock or alerts without squinting or wasting power—practical upgrade that feels thoughtful.
These features seem locked to One UI 8.5 for now, building excitement for its wider rollout. Samsung’s beta program is a smart way to iron out kinks before the stable version drops, probably alongside the Galaxy S26 series later this year.Leaks suggest even more goodies incoming, like Pro camera presets for pro-level shots on the fly, a Network Battery Saver to stretch your juice during weak signals, and Priority Notifications that bubble up the important stuff first.
One UI has always been Samsung’s secret weapon against stock Android—polished, feature-packed, and user-friendly.This 8.5 iteration keeps that vibe alive, focusing on little joys like animations and AOD tweaks that make daily use more enjoyable. If you’re a Galaxy owner, it’s worth keeping an eye on the beta forums or Samsung Members app for updates.
For those not in the beta, patience is key.The full release could bring these to older flagships too, based on Samsung’s track record. In the meantime, videos from testers are worth a watch—they really show how these animations pop in real life. It’s refreshing to see Samsung innovate on basics like unlocking, proving there’s still magic in the details.
