Galaxy A26 Spotted on Geekbench Running Android 16

Samsung launched the Galaxy A26 earlier this year with Android 15–based One UI 7. As part of Samsung’s updated software policy, the budget device is eligible for six major OS upgrades and seven years of security patches, meaning it should be supported up to Android 21.

Galaxy A26 stops by Geekbench, hints Android 16 testing is underway

Now, it appears the first big step in that journey is underway. Update tracker Mohammed Khatri has spotted the Galaxy A26 (SM-A266U) on Geekbench running Android 16 with One UI 8. Although the benchmark listing doesn’t reveal the build version, its presence confirms that internal testing has begun. The device posted a score of 1,015 in single-core performance and 2,824 in multi-core.

One UI 8 brings several quality-of-life improvements. Among the changes are enhanced lock-screen customization, smarter widgets, an updated notification layout and better battery management tools. You’ll surely love the experience when it’s ready to run on your Galaxy A36.

Despite this early sighting, Galaxy A26 owners will need to be patient. The device is not included in the official One UI 8 beta program, which is limited to models like the Galaxy A36, A35, A55, and A54. Samsung’s announcement also made no mention of the Galaxy A56, leaving the mid-range update schedule partially unclear.

For now, Samsung has rolled out the One UI 8 beta program only to the Galaxy S25 series along with last year’s S series and Z series models, which received the update today. The stable One UI 8 update is already available for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, both announced just a month ago. Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S25 series will be the first to receive the next update. That should arrive in September.