Bixby Returns Strong: Samsung Prepares Visual Overhaul with One UI 8.5
While Samsung increasingly focuses on AI-based voice assistants like Google Gemini, the Korean brand is not completely moving away from Bixby.
Even though Gemini has become the default assistant on new Galaxy devices, Bixby continues to evolve, and the upcoming One UI 8.5 update may give it a fresh new look.
A new design for Bixby
According to a leak from an internal version of One UI 8.5, Bixby is set to receive a complete visual overhaul, featuring a new floating context bar that appears on the screen.
The screenshots released by SamMobile reveal a redesigned look, consistent with the new aesthetics of One UI 8.5:
- a cleaner interface,
- smoother transitions,
- and a more modern appearance in both light and dark modes.
The interface resembles that of Google Gemini, yet carries a color palette unique to Bixby, indicating Samsung’s desire to maintain its identity despite the coexistence of both assistants.
A deeper integration into One UI
Initial reports suggest that Samsung is also working on a deeper integration of Bixby into “Modes and Routines”, which would allow for greater automation of actions based on context (location, time, activity, etc.).
No other functional updates have leaked yet, but it is likely that the brand aims to anchor Bixby within system settings, positioning it as a contextual assistant rather than a direct competitor to Gemini.
In other words, Samsung is no longer looking to place Bixby in opposition to Gemini — instead, they aim to make it a lightweight alternative focused on voice commands and local customization.
Bixby vs Gemini: Two Different Philosophies
It’s important to acknowledge that Bixby has never truly competed with Google Assistant in terms of speed or contextual understanding.
The gap has widened even further with the advent of AI-driven assistants like Gemini and Copilot.
That’s why Gemini is now the default assistant on the latest Galaxy devices, particularly the Galaxy S25 and Z Fold 6.
However, Samsung appears to want to preserve Bixby for a segment of its users—particularly those who prefer to avoid cloud-based AI processing and maintain local control over their data.
An Uncertain Future, but Not Extinct
With the rise of Gemini and Apple’s ambitions for Siri under “Apple Intelligence,” Samsung has every reason to keep multiple options in its ecosystem.
Bixby’s resurgence in One UI 8.5 indicates one thing: the brand is not ready to bury it.
More options are always beneficial—and for those seeking a simple, quick assistant that is disconnected from AI, Bixby remains a reliable choice.
