Samsung’s One UI 9 beta is finally reaching mid-range phones in India. The Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A16 5G have joined the Android 17-based beta program, so budget and mid-range users get an early look at Samsung’s newest software.
It’s a bit of a surprise. Samsung kept the beta on its flagships at first, starting with the Galaxy S26 series in May. In September, it widened the program to more premium devices, including the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold7, and Galaxy Z Flip7 in selected markets. Now the A-series is in the mix too.
Both the Galaxy A16 5G and Galaxy A54 are now receiving beta software in India. Availability may vary by market, and Samsung hasn’t spelled out its plans, so A54 owners should keep an eye on the Samsung Members app in their region.
One UI 9 runs on Android 17 and brings changes to the interface, Galaxy AI, accessibility, privacy, and everyday device management. Samsung has also started the stable rollout for the Galaxy S26 series, which began on September 16. So the company is running the finished software on its newest flagships while testing it on more affordable phones.
Samsung hasn’t announced a stable One UI 9 release date for the Galaxy A54 or Galaxy A16. If you join the beta, expect bugs and unfinished features. It’s a fun way to get in early, but think twice before putting it on the phone you rely on every day.
In the coming days, the Galaxy A16 & A54 users in other countries may also receive the beta version. Still, this is good news for A-series owners. These phones are part of the One UI 9 testing effort now, which is a good sign for the eventual stable update.
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