What you need to know

• Samsung is expanding the stable One UI 9 (Android 17) update to the Galaxy A36 globally, landing in Europe after its initial South Korea launch.
• The over-the-air update (version A366BXXUCDZIF) weighs in at over 2.3GB and bundles the September 2026 security patch.
• The Galaxy A36 release is rolling out alongside updates for other A-series models, including the Galaxy A56, A37, and A27.

Samsung is rolling out its stable One UI 9 update to the Galaxy A36 in global markets, with Europe among the first regions outside South Korea to get the software. The rollout started on October 19, so owners of midrange phones can now enjoy Android 17 and Samsung’s latest interface improvements without having to buy a newer Galaxy device.

The update carries firmware version A366BXXUCDZIF and includes the September 2026 security patch, as spotted by X user @Kailash0729 (via SammyGuru). The download is over 2.3GB, so make sure you have a good Wi-Fi connection and enough free storage before you begin installing. Just don’t expect Samsung to port every flagship feature to its more affordable hardware.

One UI 9 brings interface tweaks, more customization features, and security improvements. The update also is based on Android 17, while Samsung continues to customize some features for individual devices. The more advanced Galaxy AI features are still largely limited to compatible higher-end phones, so the A36 misses out on some of the more fancy additions.

It starts with a first stable release in South Korea on October 15, where the Galaxy A36 was shipped with the firmware version A366NKSU9DZIF. Samsung has since started to roll out availability outside of its home market, as well as updates for other Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy A56, A37, and A27.

But a global rollout doesn't mean every country gets the update at once. Samsung typically releases major software updates in phases, so some owners may have to wait days or longer for the download to appear.

Ready to go with your Galaxy A36? Tap Download and install. Then, go to Settings > Software update. Check again in the next few days if nothing shows up yet. Samsung is expected to release One UI 9 to more eligible Galaxy phones in the coming weeks.

What you need to know

• A rumor on social media suggests Samsung's foldable lineup could double in size with six phones in 2027.
• The company is allegedly preparing a TriFold 2, a Galaxy Z Fold 9 Pro, and a "Galaxy Z Slide."
• At CES 2025, Samsung Display showed off two slidable phone concepts: the "Slidable Flex Duet" and "Slidable Flex Solo."

Samsung's latest wave of foldables was incredibly popular. Okay, the Fold 8 took everything by storm, but that might not stop the company from doubling up on its offerings next year.

A rumor on X from tipster TheGalox claims Samsung is preparing for its "biggest foldable lineup ever" in 2027 (via 9to5Google). To start things off, TheGalox claims the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 could start Samsung's huge foldable stampede in 2027. This would succeed the original Z TriFold, which Samsung stopped producing after three months. Elsewhere, the tipster claims the foldables we typically expect could expand.

Currently, Samsung offers three foldables: the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8. The Fold 8 is its short, wider addition, and the Fold 8 Ultra is its standard book-style foldable. However, the tipster suggests Samsung could slip in a "Galaxy Z Fold 9 Pro." It's unclear what this would be. What's more, we're unsure about how Samsung would position this device between the Fold 9 and Fold 9 Ultra.

While we also expect to see a Flip 9, rumors say Samsung could introduce a new type of foldable: the "Galaxy Z Slide." It's almost a shame that the most interesting-sounding device is shrouded in the largest shadow, but that's only half true. If we want to at least fathom where we might go, we'll have to look back to CES 2025.

Sliding into 2027?

Samsung Display was at CES 2025, if you remember our coverage about it (if you don't, here it is). As usual, the company, like other companies, showed off several prototypes. On display were the "Slidable Flex Duet" and "Solo." The Slidable Flex Duet (YouTube) would let users pull (or slide) its display out from the left and right. The device would sit at 8 inches when compact, but sliding out its display would bring it to 12.4 inches—very tablet-like.

Alternatively, you have the Solo, which would go from 13 inches to 17.3 inches. Whether or not Samsung develops one of these concepts remains to be seen. This only serves as a base to get our minds thinking.

Rumors about a TriFold sequel got underway quickly after Apple's iPhone Duo launch. Allegedly, this phone could debut in 2027 with a thinner, lighter, and more durable design. However, its price tag might remain pretty hefty at $2,800.

What you need to know

• Rumors claim Samsung could launch the Galaxy S27 series earlier in 2027, in January; however, February could be the next best bet.
• Other rumors suggest Samsung is still struggling with the ongoing memory crisis, and it's "unsure" if it can bring upgrades to the Pro and Ultra.
• Storage and RAM upgrades were rumored throughout this year, but the tale's been consistent with Samsung's apparent uncertainty behind it.

The beginning of the year (Q1, really) is when we expect Samsung's next flagships. Rumors claim the company could start 2027 off with a bang.

A report by tipster Lanzuk on Naver (Korean) over the weekend suggests Samsung could debut its phones within the first two months (via Android Authority). Here's where things get tricky. The tipster suggests Samsung is leaning toward a January launch; however, things could get pushed into "February at the latest." While exciting, Samsung is still grappling with a few internal problems.

We've seen a Galaxy S27 Pro rumored for next year's series quite often, and this report concerns it, too. The post alleges that Samsung is still trying to sort out the memory/storage specifications for the S27 Pro and the S27 Ultra. The current crisis with these two pieces of hardware is a contributing factor, with the tipster stating Samsung must decide and consider the "scope of implementation."

The post states Samsung wants to implement UFS 5.0 (storage) and LPDDR6 (RAM) in the S27 Pro and Ultra.

Trying times for flagships

You might remember that the Galaxy S26 series launched in late February. However, the Galaxy S25 series launched in mid-January. We've seen Samsung bounce between these early months before, so we'll have to see where it lands next year.

As far as the RAM/storage rumors go, the UFS 5.0 rumor was brought up earlier this year, claiming not every S27 phone would get it. But we've seen many of the same topics brought up: "price and mass production." It wasn't clear which phones would get it, but speculation sided with the Galaxy S27 Ultra, at least. The RAM upgrade was a bit of a mixed bag. One report said the next Ultra might miss it completely as Samsung shifted gears toward other companies' "limited edition" phones.

Now it's back on the table, but it's still anyone's guess as to whether the Pro and Ultra will see it. The publication (Android Authority) brought up Samsung's chip issue: reports claimed Qualcomm's Elite Extreme was overheating, and Samsung might have to consider its Exynos instead. It found that Qualcomm has recently denied such claims. Who knows by this point. We'll have to wait and see.