First Galaxy A36 and A26 updates confirm A/B partitions for one device

This week, Samsung released the first firmware updates for the new Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36 budget phones. They are relatively minor updates that contain the April 2025 security patch. However, they confirm which of these two new phones benefit from and lack the A/B partition system, a.k.a. the seamless updates feature.

In short, the Galaxy A36 boasts seamless updates, whereas the more affordable Galaxy A26 does not. Initially, it was believed that all three new Galaxy A (2025) devices — including the Galaxy A56 — may benefit from this convenient feature. Nevertheless, we now know that Samsung did not set up the Galaxy A26 with an A/B partition system.

To be precise, the Galaxy A56 has yet to receive its first firmware update. However, its predecessor, the Galaxy A55, and the new Galaxy A36 have an A/B partition system, and we can confirm that the Galaxy A56 does, too.

We explained seamless updates in greater detail last year when the Galaxy A55 became the first Samsung phone to use this system. The feature minimizes downtime when Galaxy phones receive new firmware updates by using and switching between two (A/B) partitions.

Manufacturers like Samsung have to set up the A/B partitions from the factory, so a phone released without the seamless updates feature cannot receive an A/B partition system later through a firmware update. In other words, the Galaxy A26 will lack seamless updates forever.

As for these first updates for the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36, the cheaper model received firmware version A266BXXS2AYC1 in Europe. The update weighs almost 290MB (via GalaxyClub).

Meanwhile, the Galaxy A36 received the April 2025 security patch through firmware version A366BXXS2AYC4 (via GalaxyClub). This update weighs almost 441MB.

If you happen to own the Galaxy A26 or Galaxy A36, you can check for the latest update(s) by opening the Settings app on the phone, accessing Software update, and tapping Download and install. If you prefer manual updates, you should be able to find the latest firmware files in your database once they become available (soon).