As a Samsung user, I was excited to hear about the One UI 8.5 beta release. After spending some time with it, I've found a feature that stands out: the revamped Quick Settings.

Quick Settings are essential in any Android phone. While customization isn't new, with different manufacturers offering some options, Samsung has truly raised the bar in One UI 8.5. It's not an exaggeration to say that the level of customization is now on a completely different level, letting you personalize the experience more than ever before.

Unprecedented Freedom

If I recall correctly, previous One UI versions only allowed for basic addition or removal of toggles. The media playback widget, smart home controls, and even Wi-Fi/Bluetooth options were stuck there, taking up space. In One UI 8.5, Samsung has removed those restrictions.

It's all about freedom. You can now remove almost anything, including the brightness and volume sliders. And if you need a dedicated Google Wallet button or want to separate the volume and brightness, that's also possible.

After playing around with the Quick Settings on my Galaxy S25, I managed to create a layout that suits my needs. I have my media player at the top, four large toggles for things like the flashlight and QR code scanner, and smaller toggles for other functions. It's great!

The beauty of Android is the freedom it gives us to use our phones the way we want. One UI 8.5 builds on this philosophy. Even if you aren't a Quick Settings fanatic, it's impressive to see Samsung giving users so much control. No other Android brand offers anything like this. After using it for a few days, I'm already missing it on my Pixel 10 Pro.

While Google might be in charge of Android, Samsung's influence is undeniable. I really hope Google and other manufacturers take note of what Samsung has done with Quick Settings in One UI 8.5 and implement similar options in their versions of Android.