One UI 8.5 Brings Enhanced Battery Saving Features
Samsung’s latest One UI 8.5 beta is already making waves with a host of improvements, including redesigned apps and a refreshed Quick Settings interface. Among these updates, the revamped Power Saving feature stands out as a major enhancement aimed at extending the battery life of Samsung smartphones. Whether you are currently testing the One UI 8.5 beta or eagerly awaiting its full release in early 2026, this upgraded power management tool promises to help your device last longer between charges.
How the Upgraded Power Saving Works
Accessing the new Power Saving options is straightforward. Users can navigate to the Settings app, select Battery, scroll down to Power saving, and toggle it on. Unlike previous One UI versions where Power Saving was a single mode, One UI 8.5 introduces two distinct modes: Standard and Maximum.
The Standard mode essentially mirrors the traditional power-saving settings. When enabled, it limits CPU speed to 70%, disables the always-on display, reduces screen brightness by 10%, sets motion smoothness to 60Hz, activates dark mode, and shortens the screen timeout to 30 seconds. Users can customise these settings by tapping the gear icon next to Standard, allowing them to disable any specific adjustments they prefer to keep unchanged.
Maximum Mode for Extreme Battery Conservation
The new Maximum mode builds upon the Standard settings by further restricting background activity and notifications, except for a set of “essential apps” such as Clock, Google Play Store, Google Wallet, Messages, Phone, and Settings. Users can also manually select additional apps to remain active during Maximum mode via the gear icon. This mode is designed for situations when battery life is critically low and every bit of power conservation counts.
On a Galaxy S25 with roughly 90% battery remaining, Samsung estimates that Maximum mode could extend usage up to two days and 18 hours, although actual results will vary based on individual usage patterns. While Maximum mode may not be ideal for everyday use due to its restrictive nature, it offers a valuable option for those moments when prolonging battery life is essential.
Context and Availability
The One UI 8.5 beta is currently available for the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung users eager to try the new Power Saving features can download the beta now or wait for the official rollout expected in early 2026. This update continues Samsung’s trend of refining user experience and battery optimisation in its flagship devices.
Overall, the enhanced Power Saving modes in One UI 8.5 represent a thoughtful evolution of Samsung’s battery management tools, offering users greater control and flexibility to maximise their phone’s endurance.
As the full release approaches, it will be interesting to see how these features perform in real-world scenarios and whether Samsung plans further enhancements to complement this update.