The classic navigation bar with three buttons, giving way to the navigation buttons on the bottom of the screen. Gesture Navigation Setup has been the standard on Android. Samsung has always come with the standard button configuration, requiring the user to manually switch within the settings.
This is about to change with the latest One UI 8.5 update. It is likely to provide a Galaxy setup navigation option out of the box. This is because the transition to gestures comes smoother and more intuitively than ever before.
What Has Held Back Samsung’s Gesture Navigation
The conversion of Samsung to three-button navigation has never been a good idea in the minds of many users. This legacy strategy provided an easy and familiar experience to people who were upgrading older phones. However, it made the user do the work of switching.
This may be a step in the backward direction. Especially for new Android users that have already adopted gestures as the default way of operation.
Although the case to use gestures is strong, factoring in the necessity to delve into settings was a minor yet important deterrent to adoption.
What has Already Changed with One UI 8 Concerning Gesture Handling
It is essential to mention that Samsung has been making great progress regarding the optimization of its gesture system. One UI 8, built on Android 16, came into the world of gesture being optimized even more, with slicker animation and obvious latency decrease.
Additionally, the Good Lock module was in updated mode with a large array of customization capabilities of the back gesture icon. This is where the user can now have over 56 new options available to personalize their experience.
The navigation picker of One UI 8.5
The beta code of One UI 8.5 features a new selection screen. It will be visible at the first stage of setting up a phone. Users will instead be asked to specify between three-button vs gesture navigation, rather than relying on buttons by default.
It is a critical transformation and a significant improvement in terms of the quality of life. This is a significant indicator of the fact that Samsung is finally ready to accept the contemporary Android gestural paradigm in the fullest possible way.
This feature is going to enter the market alongside the release of the flagship Galaxy S26 series in the first quarter of 2026.
Potential advantages to users: Benefits to Users
This one-time setup navigation selection offers several clear benefits:
Simply Easier First-Time Preference Setting: First-time users can easily set up their phone to their preferred navigation style. There is no need of having to dig through the menus.
Less Setup Confusion: Samsung eliminates the initial friction and confusion someone using the tool might face of having to begin with a means of navigation that they do not want to use.
Brings Samsung in line with Other Android OEMs: Samsung will be following the set of major Android manufacturers who have since introduced a choice.
Community Responses & Community Feelings User
The effect of such news, Gesture Navigation Setup in the community has been widely welcomed. Lots of users have also been excited about it. This is considerable by them as a very long time needed change.
This is an apt reason why Samsung is prudent enough to provide an option instead of imposing a preselected. The transformation is regarding placing user control in the control from the start.
Foreseeable Risks or Uncertainties
Though the news is good, it still leaves some uncertainties to take into account:
Rollout Timing: It is not currently known when or whether the One UI 8.5 gesture navigation mode will be included in a wider update to older devices.
The Three-Button Option Stays: The new feature is not an imposed change. Individuals who would like to navigate with the three-button option will be available.
Beta Glitches: It is in the beta phase. Thus, it may experience glitches, and in that case, in more advanced devices, such as the Samsung foldables.
Next Steps & Conclusion
The reduction of Gesture Navigation Setup by Samsung in One UI 8.5 is a huge leap. It indicates a change in philosophy to providing the user more control even at the initial stage. This is one of the main tenets of contemporary Android.
The timing and ultimate implementation thereof remain to be witnessed. However, this update will be a welcome change to the new users of Galaxy.
The final confirmation of this gesture navigation feature would be viewing the stable roll-out of One UI8.5. The much-hyped launch of the Galaxy S26 set, to have IT finally in place.
FAQs
Will One UI 8.5 default to gesture navigation and not display options?
No, the preliminary arrangement will encourage the user to make a selection between gesture. The three-button navigation, but not preset one against the other.
Does this mean that I can alter my style of navigation later on, should I decide to change?
Yes, the user may go back to Settings > Display > Navigation bar and choose between swipe gestures and the three-button layout.
Is Samsung getting competitive with Pixel and other Android phones?
Samsung is finally placing its user onboarding process on par with those of similarly large Android OEMs.
