An upgraded screen recorder is one of the standout One UI 8.5 features that you’ll eventually get access to, even if the Galaxy S26 isn’t on your radar. And if you’re curious about how it works in practice, we’ve got a quick hands-on video for you to check out below.

The redesigned screen recorder comes with the One UI 8.5 update and is already running smoothly in beta firmware versions. While it retains the standard full-screen recording mode, the big addition in One UI 8.5 is a partial screen recording feature.

This partial recorder isn’t just another cropping tool. Although you certainly can manually define the exact portion of the screen you want to capture, you can also let it automatically detect areas of interest, like video players. This makes capturing content far more flexible and precise than before. Here's how it works.

Samsung has already implemented a similar auto-framing feature in One UI 8.0, but it is limited to screenshots. With One UI 8.5, the company has clearly drawn inspiration from that system and expanded it to video screen recordings. It’s a logical evolution and a welcome one for anyone who frequently records screen content.

Currently, Samsung is testing One UI 8.5 beta firmware on the Galaxy S25 in select markets. The official release will coincide with the Galaxy S26 launch later this month. While many other Galaxy phones and tablets are technically eligible for the update, Samsung has not yet shared a precise rollout schedule.

Availability aside, if you're familiar with One UI 8.0, the jump to 8.5 should feel fairly intuitive. The new version keeps the core experience intact but adds a host of quality-of-life upgrades, subtle UI refinements, deeper customization options, and more capable AI tools.

One UI 8.5 also makes the search bar easier to access in nearly any context — a small tweak at a glance, but one that pays off in daily use.

Samsung is set to officially unveil the Galaxy S26 series with One UI 8.5 preloaded on February 25. The launch event will take place in San Francisco.