Samsung is finally catching up with the rest of the Android industry as new findings suggest that its upcoming One UI 8.5 update for Galaxy devices will introduce gesture navigation as a user-selectable option. This change comes after years of Samsung being behind the curve, with Google introducing full-fledged gesture navigation to Android in 2019.
In most Android devices, users can choose between traditional three-button navigation and gesture navigation during setup. However, on Samsung devices, this option is not available by default, forcing users to dig into settings to change it. This is set to change with One UI 8.5, which will introduce a new setting that allows users to select between the two navigation methods during setup.
While the exact release date for the update remains uncertain, it’s likely that this feature will be included in the Galaxy S26 series launch with One UI 8.5. Samsung has confirmed its software schedule for the upcoming updates, which include One UI 8 releases outside of foldable devices.
As the rollout of One UI 8 nears, users are eagerly awaiting the introduction of gesture navigation on their Samsung devices. This change marks a significant shift for Samsung and brings it in line with the rest of the Android industry.
Source: https://9to5google.com/2025/08/04/samsung-android-gesture-navigation-one-ui-8