Samsung’s One UI 8.5 update is now reaching its cheapest Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy A06 5G and M17, after months of rolling out to flagship models. The update brings AI-powered features, AirDrop compatibility, and security patches—but only a fraction of what’s available on premium devices.
Budget Galaxy Models Finally Receive One UI 8.5—With Major Limitations
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 update, which launched with the Galaxy S26 series in March, is now trickling down to some of the company’s most affordable phones. The rollout marks a rare moment of parity between high-end and budget Galaxy devices—but with a critical caveat: the features included for cheaper models are far more limited than those on flagship phones.
Which Phones Are Getting the Update and Where It’s Available
The phones getting the update—and where it’s rolling out
As of this week, the Galaxy A06 5G, M17, M16, M06, F06, A16, and M35 are receiving One UI 8.5 in India and South Korea. The update is also arriving for the Galaxy A16 4G, A34, and A25 in South Korea, according to GSMArena. Samsung’s own SamMobile confirms the F54 is also getting the update in India, along with a May 2026 security patch fixing 36 vulnerabilities.
These aren’t just minor tweaks. The update introduces AirDrop compatibility via Quick Share, allowing direct file transfers between Samsung and Apple devices—a feature long absent from budget Android phones. It also adds partial screen recording, direct voicemail, and enhanced theft protection, according to Forbes.
AI Features Excluded from Budget Phones—Reinforcing the Software Divide
What’s not coming to budget phones—and why it matters
Here’s the catch: AI tools like Audio Eraser, Creative Studio, and Call Screening—the standout features of One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S25 and S26—are excluded from the budget lineup. Samsung’s decision to tier its software updates by hardware capability isn’t new, but it underscores a growing divide in the Android ecosystem.
For more on this story, see Samsung Expands One UI 8.5 Update to More Galaxy Models.
For context, the Galaxy A06 5G retails for well under £200 in the UK and $200 in the US, placing it in the same price bracket as the iPhone SE. Yet it won’t get the same AI-powered camera enhancements or voice assistant upgrades that come standard on Samsung’s mid-range and flagship devices. This isn’t just about software—it’s about prioritizing which users get access to cutting-edge features.
How This Update Compares to Samsung’s Past Rollout Patterns—and What It Signals
How the update compares to past rollouts—and what’s next
Samsung’s update strategy has long been criticized for favoring newer devices. The company typically supports its latest models for three to four years, but budget phones often get updates six months to a year later, if at all. This time, however, the rollout is unusually broad: seven distinct models are receiving One UI 8.5 in a single week, a pace not seen since the update’s launch in March.
The question now is whether this signals a shift—or just a one-off push to clear older inventory. If Samsung continues this pace, budget Galaxy users could see faster updates in the future. But given the hardware limitations of these phones, it’s unlikely they’ll ever catch up to the AI features on newer models.
This follows our earlier report, Galaxy S26 : One UI 9 est enfin disponible en bêta, voici les nouveautés officialisées par Samsung – Les Numériques.
What this means for buyers—and Apple’s advantage
For consumers, the update is a mixed bag. On one hand, AirDrop support is a game-changer for cross-platform sharing, finally bridging a gap that’s long frustrated Android users. On the other, the absence of AI tools leaves budget Galaxy phones feeling like second-class citizens in Samsung’s ecosystem.
This also plays into Apple’s hands. While the iPhone SE (3rd generation) gets regular iOS updates and seamless AirDrop integration, Samsung’s budget devices remain software orphans compared to their Cupertino counterparts. The update is a step forward—but it’s not enough to close the gap.
- Go to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install.
- The update size varies by model, with the Galaxy F54’s update weighing in at 2.9GB, according to SamMobile.
The bottom line: A step forward, but not a leap
Samsung’s decision to push One UI 8.5 to budget phones is a rare win for affordability in the Android world. But the AI divide remains stark, reinforcing the idea that software upgrades are as much about hardware capability as they are about software maturity.
For now, budget Galaxy users get better security, AirDrop, and minor UI tweaks—but no AI magic. Whether that’s enough to keep them loyal remains to be seen. One thing is clear: Samsung’s update strategy still favors the top tier.
