Samsung Messages to Potentially Receive a Massive Upgrade in One UI 8.5 for Galaxy S25 Series Devices and S26 Series Devices

[GiantFan]

A new UI framework for Samsung Messages in One UI 8.5

Samsung’s “Liquid Glass” design language in One UI 8.5 isn’t just a visual effect — it requires new UI components, new animation hooks, and new rendering layers. Apps that want to use Liquid Glass need to be rebuilt on top of Samsung’s updated UI framework.

Samsung Messages is one of those apps.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

New UI Framework

• Liquid Glass blur effects

• New message bubble animations

• New reaction UI

• New long‑press interaction menu

• New media preview cards

• New chat header design

• New transitions and gestures

New RCS Features

• Full emoji reaction support

• Inline reaction rendering

• Improved group chat controls

• Better media handling

• More reliable Jibe provisioning

• Possibly message editing (if Samsung adopts the Jibe API for it)

This is the “big update” that reviewers haven’t seen yet is because of one of the following three reasons:                                                                                                                                                                                                           

• They’re not using Samsung Messages

• They’re not testing on S25 devices

• The UI changes aren’t fully live in the beta yet

[GiantFan]

That is good to hear. At least T-Mobile is supporting RCS for Samsung Messages across older Galaxy devices. As a Verizon customer, I know for a fact that this is not the case. Verizon's RCS support is for Samsung Messages is currently just on the Galaxy S25 series devices. they are supposed to be supporting RCS on the upcoming S26 series also.

[Darryls]

Also s messages rcs pictures and videos take longer to send and receive esp. on the other side spinning circle ugh

[GiantFan]

I don't know what to say. I am not having that issue, as I can send videos and pictures through Samsung Messages on the Galaxy S25+ using Verizon.

[DogGoneIt1989]

If this will only be for the S26 series are you going to upgrade just for this?

[GiantFan]

The S25 series devices are supposed to receive these features also. Samsung has brought Samsung Messages back from the dead. If you have Verizon or T-Mobile as a carrier, you can currently use Samsung Messages with limited RCS features.                                                                   The limited RCs features include:                                                                                                                               

• RCS delivery receipts

• RCS read receipts

• Typing indicators

• High‑quality media

• Group chat

[GiantFan]

Phone Arena was the source for the RCS features:                                              https://www.phonearena.com/news/samsung-messages-one-ui-8_id170348?utm_source=copilot.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Sammy Guru was the source for the Samsung Messages receiving a total UI makeover:   https://sammyguru.com/samsung-messages-one-ui-8-5-update-makeover/?utm_source=copilot.com

[DogGoneIt1989]

The Phone Arena article is 7 months old. Jeff's post is the most recent.

[GiantFan]

I am currently using Samsung Messages on my S25+ with Verizon as my carrier. I can assure you that I have the limited RCS features that I replied to you about. It is in the settings of the app under Chat Features.

[DogGoneIt1989]

I switched to Google Messages in 2019 when RCS rolled out. The only thing I miss from Samsung Messages is the selective copy feature which Google Messages doesn't have.

[GiantFan]

I had no choice but to switch from Samsung Messages to Google Messages when Verizon stop support for the app at the beginning of 2025, while I was using the Galaxy S22+. Samsung Messages wouldn't work on that device at all.
I recently upgraded to the Galaxy S25+, and this is when I found out that limited RCS functionality was working on Samsung Messages on One UI 8.
Verizon and T-Mobile have apparently agreed to reinstate RCS support for Samsung Messages on the S25 series devices and any future Galaxy device.
If you are on a Samsung Galaxy 24 series device or older, Samsung Messages will not work with the limited RCS features.