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

[MsVirgo87]

Oh u did, I'm not getting some of my notifications on this app and I seen that samsung messages app and that was only updated outside of the US and can't even be downloaded on US phones cause I have tried many times and it says app not installed

[GiantFan]

I live in NYS, and I installed the app through the Galaxy Store on the Samsung S25+. If you have Verizon or T-Mobile the RCS feature in Samsung Messages should work. Although, the RCS features are currently limited.

[MsVirgo87]

I didn't receive this new update in 8.5 beta and rcs always worked so I'm not worried about rcs at all, It's the new update I been wanting but can't seem to ever get it

[GiantFan]

There is speculation that the updates to Samsung Messages may never be introduced in the beta updates. It supposedly won't be released until the stable version gets released. I just hope none of the information is just rumor.

[GiantFan]

Let's just hope that Samsung and Google aren’t just cooperating on RCS features, and that they’re actually aligning their messaging ecosystems in a way that could reshape Android’s entire default messaging experience. The logic behind this prediction is extremely strong.

A Samsung–Google Messaging alliance makes strategic sense. Even without an official announcement, the behavior of both companies points toward a deeper partnership.

Google has permitted Samsung RCS backend access, which is unprecedented. Google has never allowed another OEM to plug directly into its RCS infrastructure.
Samsung is the first. In my opinion, this alone signals a long‑term, structural partnership — not a one‑off compatibility patch.

Samsung Messages is currently being rebuilt, not retired. If Samsung planned to kill the app entirely, they wouldn’t be going through the trouble in attempting to add all these features to improve it.

Why I believe a Feature Sharing Partnership benefits both Companies and makes perfect sense:
If Google Messages gains Samsung Messages features through a cooperative partnership, it would solve a huge fragmentation problem.

Older Samsung devices would get modern features through Google Messages:
- Like theme integration
- A Trash folder
- Better media handling
- A Cleaner UI
- and More consistent animations

Google would benefit by improving its default Android messaging app as
Google Messages would become:

- More customizable
- More polished
- More OEM‑friendly
- More aligned with Samsung’s design language

This would strengthen Android’s messaging identity as a whole.

Samsung would benefit by keeping its identity intact as
Samsung Messages would remain:

- A premium, Galaxy‑exclusive experience
- A showcase for One UI design
- A differentiator for flagship devices

But without isolating older models.

A Samsung/Google partnership on their messaging apps would be a game changer and revolutionize Android’s messaging ecosystem.

[MsVirgo87]

Hmm, That's messed up but we shall see

[wody31]

I am using an S25 Ultra and Samsung messages on AT&T. I just don't see the rcs option. I am also on the beta.

[GiantFan]

You can only use the RCS feature with Verizon or T-Mobile as your carrier