Affordable Samsung Galaxy A18 is already in preparation. It will arrive with One UI 9 system

Affordable A-series Samsung phones are among the best-selling phones in the world, so every new addition to the series is worth attention, even if it’s not a flagship. The current Galaxy A17 arrived last August, and Samsung is apparently already preparing its successor. The Galaxy A18 has appeared on company testing servers, which is usually a sign that development is nearing completion.

What we know about Galaxy A18 so far

According to SammyGuru, the phone appeared on Samsung’s European servers with the model designation SM-A185F, which corresponds to the LTE variant. A 5G version will likely also arrive. The firmware carries build A185FXXU0AZF2 and, according to the hash type used, will run on One UI 9 based on Android 17, with which it should be sold directly. Earlier this year, the A18 briefly appeared in the GSMA database, but otherwise, we have no specific details about its features. It has not yet appeared on certification platforms.

Given how Samsung builds its A-series, a Super AMOLED display, a 5,000 mAh battery, IP54 rating, and long software support can be expected, all with an energy-efficient MediaTek chip. According to current estimates, the launch could come towards the end of 2026; earlier speculations also mention August.

Affordable Samsung Galaxy A18 is already in preparation. It will arrive with One UI 9 system Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

However, there’s a catch. Rising component prices, especially for memory and chips, might force Samsung to increase prices, so despite similar features to the A17, the A18 might not remain under five thousand crowns. Therefore, consider this threshold as a realistic expectation based on the price of the current model, not as a confirmed fact.

What the current Galaxy A17 offers

The Galaxy A17 can be bought in the Czech Republic for 4,490 CZK in a configuration with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB storage with microSD card support. It offers a 6.7″ Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2340×1080 and a 90Hz refresh rate, a trio of rear cameras (50Mpx main with f/1.8 aperture, 5Mpx ultrawide, and 2Mpx macro) and a 13Mpx selfie camera. It is powered by a MediaTek chip, supplied with energy by a 5,000mAh battery with 25W charging, and also features IP54 rating and Gorilla Glass Victus.

Software support is particularly noteworthy. Samsung expects six major system updates and six years of security patches for the A17, which is above standard in this price category and a benchmark that the A18 will have to at least match.

Would you wait for the Galaxy A18, or would you opt for the current A17?

Sources: SamMobile, SammyGuru