Samsung's One UI 8 Beta 2 arrives for the Galaxy A36, signaling a new focus on mid-range support

Samsung’s approach to software updates for its mid-range lineup, particularly the Galaxy A36, is getting more methodical lately. Instead of focusing only on flagship devices, they’ve rolled out a second beta build of One UI 8 for the Galaxy A36. That’s a significant move, considering the A-series makes up a huge chunk of their global sales.

Galaxy A36 One UI 8 Beta 2 is here!

The new beta firmware version A366EXXU4ZYI7 weighs in at 440.92MB and is currently available to users in India who are enrolled in the beta program. This quick succession following the initial beta underlines Samsung’s emphasis on stability and refinement for its non-premium devices. Notably, the update delivers the September 2025 security patch, which is well ahead of the current cycle, and addresses several high-impact bugs from the first beta release.

Specific changes include:

Resolution of the Portrait mode camera crash, which had been interrupting usage in certain imaging scenarios.
Fix for the reboot loop triggered by manual time adjustments, which could severely disrupt device functionality.
Elimination of the camera ANR (Application Not Responding) issue that previously caused the camera application to freeze during operation.
Correction of the com.samsung.android.dsms AUT error impacting system stability.

This targeted approach to bug fixes demonstrates that Samsung is actively leveraging beta feedback for iterative software improvements. The company’s willingness to address granular issues on mid-range hardware reflects a broader strategy to enhance user experience across its portfolio, not just on flagships.

Eligible Galaxy A36 beta users can access the update by navigating to Settings > Software update > Download and install. The release is currently limited to India, but expansion to additional regions is expected in the coming days. Given the accelerated pace of these beta releases, a stable One UI 8 rollout for the Galaxy A36 appears imminent, promising enhanced security and performance for a sizable user base.

Source: Tarun Vats