Every Budget Galaxy Phone Getting One UI 8.5 in June 2026 (And the New Features That Matter)

Samsung’s latest major software update is reaching its affordable phone lineup at an unprecedented pace. In June 2026, the One UI 8.5 update—built on Android 16—began rolling out to a long list of Galaxy A, M, and F series devices. This mid-cycle refresh is notable not just for its speed, but for the depth of features it brings, including advanced AI tools that were once reserved for flagships.

Budget and Mid-Range Phones Getting the Update in June 2026

Samsung has officially confirmed a wide range of Galaxy A, M, and FE models on its schedule. The rollout, based on Samsung's official support notices and multiple reports, is happening in phases throughout the month .

Galaxy A Series (Mid-Range & Budget)

• Galaxy A56 5G
• Galaxy A55 5G
• Galaxy A54 5G
• Galaxy A36 5G
• Galaxy A35 5G
• Galaxy A34 5G
• Galaxy A25 5G
• Galaxy A17 5G
• Galaxy A16 5G
• Galaxy A15 5G
• Galaxy A06 5G

Galaxy M Series (Budget)

• Galaxy M34 5G

Previous-Gen Flagship at a Mid-Range Price

• Galaxy S23 FE

The update's rapid deployment is a departure from Samsung's historical pace. By late May, entry-level models like the Galaxy A16 and A17 were already receiving the software, signaling a much swifter mid-cycle rollout than in previous years .

The 5 Most Important New Features in One UI 8.5

One UI 8.5 is much more than a security patch. It introduces a suite of AI-powered and user-experience upgrades derived from Android 16 that meaningfully change how you can use your phone.

1. AI Call Screening

When an unknown number calls, Bixby can now answer on your behalf. The AI assistant asks the caller who they are and why they're calling, displaying a live transcript on your screen. You can then decide to pick up, ignore, or send the caller to voicemail, all without the other person knowing Bixby handled the initial interaction .

2. Partial Screen Recorder

A new recording option lets you capture only a selected portion of the screen. This is a significant upgrade for anyone creating tutorials or recording app content, as it eliminates the need to crop out notifications and other UI elements after recording .

3. Expanded Audio Eraser

Previously a gallery feature, Audio Eraser is now system-wide. It can intelligently separate and remove specific background noises like wind, crowds, and traffic while preserving voice focus. A new "Voice Focus" mode specifically isolates speech from ambient sounds across more apps .

4. Creative Studio Wallpaper Generator

A new AI tool within Creative Studio lets you generate custom wallpapers and stickers from simple text prompts or reference images. You can adjust the mood of a photo, add or remove objects, or create AI-generated invitations and stickers directly on the device .

5. Redesigned Quick Settings

The Quick Settings panel gets a full visual overhaul with Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive design. The new layout features larger, resizable tiles and sliders, all optimized for easier one-handed operation .

Camera Assistant Arrives on Mid-Range Devices

Camera Assistant, the granular camera-control tool previously exclusive to flagship Galaxy S and Z series, is now available on select A-series and other mid-range devices. This provides advanced control over auto HDR, shutter speed, and picture softening on more affordable phones, though availability may vary by region .

Other Notable Additions

• Now Brief / Now Nudge: A context-aware lock screen feature that proactively surfaces relevant information based on your time, location, and usage habits .
• Photo Assist Upgrades: An iterative AI editing history button lets you revert or tweak a series of edits .
• Lock Screen Customization: New font options and transparency controls for the lock screen clock .
• Storage Share: An improved cross-platform file sharing feature for non-Samsung devices .

The Complete One UI 8.5 Rollout Timeline

Phase	Timeline	Device Groups
Pre-installed	March 11, 2026	Galaxy S26 series (launched with One UI 8.5 out of the box)
Wave 1 (Flagships)	May 6–11, 2026	Galaxy S25 series, S24 series, Z Fold7/Flip7, Z Fold6/Flip6, Tab S11, and Tab S10 series
Wave 2 (Mid-Range & Budget)	June 2026	Galaxy A series (A56 5G, A55 5G, A54 5G, A36 5G, A35 5G, A34 5G, A25 5G, A17 5G, A16 5G, A15 5G, A06 5G), Galaxy M34 5G, and Galaxy S23 FE
Wave 3 (Older & Legacy Devices)	Later 2026	Additional models that meet Samsung's 4-year or 6-year update policy, with a total of over 40 devices confirmed across the S, Z, A, M, F, and Tab lineups

A Closer Look at 'Awesome Intelligence'

Mid-range and budget A, M, and F series devices receive a tailored version of Galaxy AI features branded as Awesome Intelligence. This subset is optimized for less powerful hardware but still delivers the core AI tools, including Creative Studio, Audio Eraser, and AI Call Screening .