Samsung is expected to improve its dark mode in the upcoming One UI 8.5 update.

Samsung appears ready to solve a problem it has ignored for several software generations.

One UI offers a full dark mode, but it has not handled app icons well. When the user interface turns dark, home screen icons still appear bright. One UI 8.5 should address this issue.

Galaxy Techie, an X user, posted a video showing Samsung testing forced dark-themed icons for all apps. When users switch to Dark Mode, their Galaxy home screen could have a more uniform appearance.

Samsung is developing dark app icons in One UI 8.5. When dark mode is on, certain apps are changing their backgrounds to black. In both light and dark modes, the icons have a 3D shadow. The user plans to share undiscovered .png files of the new icons.

Samsung is testing more than just altered icon colors. The apps may have a new 3D appearance with subtle depth and drop shadows, which aligns with earlier One UI 8.5 leaks that mentioned floating elements and a more layered interface.

Google's updated Play Store policy requires all developers to support themed icons and provide a monochrome version for Android to recolor, giving Samsung an advantage. One UI 8.5 is prepared to utilize that system-level consistency.

Previous leaks indicated that Samsung intends to add 3D application icons to One UI 8.5, which Ice Universe connected to Apple's iOS 26 Liquid Glass design. Both platforms seem to be using more depth, subtle gradients, and floating user interface elements.

Samsung's Galaxy S6 had drop-shadowed icons before flat design became popular. One UI 8.5 combines past Samsung design elements with current trends.

According to early testers of leaked builds, the new 3D elements require improvement, and rendering them increases load slightly. The final build should be smoother.

Sources suggest Samsung will begin the Galaxy S25 beta program in South Korea, Germany, and the UK on December 8. On December 22, the update's second phase will bring the new features to India and Poland. These dates are not official, but they imply Samsung is acting quickly.

One UI 8.5 is anticipated to launch with the Galaxy S26 series early next year, providing refreshed visuals, system-wide dark mode icons, and a more unified home screen experience.