Samsung Galaxy A36 gets One UI 8 as its first major update

Big news for anyone with a Samsung Galaxy A36: the One UI 8 stable update is making its way to your phone. The company has officially started rolling out the firmware, first in South Korea. This comes shortly after starting to ship One UI 8.0 to flagship devices like the Galaxy S24 and S25 series, in addition to the Z Fold 6 and Flip 6.

One UI 8 reaches the budget friendly Samsung Galaxy A36

To start, the One UI 8 update brings Android 16 to the budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy A36. This is the first major OS upgrade for the Galaxy A36. Although the rollout began in South Korea, owners around the world should see it appear on their phones in the coming weeks. Interestingly, the rollout is happening earlier than a previously announced October 2025 release date, which is a pleasant surprise for users who have been waiting for the new software.

Once you get the update, you'll immediately notice a few things. The user interface for some key apps, including Quick Share and Samsung Internet, has received a polished redesign. There are also new personalization features that give you more control over the look of your home screen and lock screen, including a new adaptive clock style.

Beyond the aesthetics, the update also strengthens your phone's privacy and security. On the downside, you will find that some premium AI-powered features present on flagship phones are missing. However, this is normal in an affordable mid-ranger.

Lastly, One UI 8 is only the first big Android update of the five promised by Samsung for the Galaxy A36. This phone is set up for long-term software support.