Samsung has now started rolling out the One UI 8 update (Android 16) to users of the Galaxy A35 in Kenya. The update, which first landed in Korea and later moved to other regions, has now been spotted locally with firmware version A356EXXU5CYI8, marking the first A-series midrange device from last year to jump on the new firmware in 2025.
Notably, the update is also rolling out to Galaxy A35 units across other East African countries, including Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Seychelles and Djibouti. However, as we predicted in an earlier, the Galaxy A55 is still missing in action. There’s no sign of the One UI 8 update for the device in Kenya, but it’s already live in a few other markets including Samsung’s home country. It now looks increasingly likely that the A35 would beat the A55 to Android 16 in more markets.
More Samsung devices in Kenya have already received One UI 8
The Galaxy A35 joins a growing list of Samsung phones that recently picked up the update in Kenya. Among the latest:
- Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Fold 4
- Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Flip 4
- Galaxy S24 FE
- Galaxy S23 series
- Galaxy S23 FE
All these followed the usual Samsung rollout pattern — Korea first, then Europe and Asia, and finally African markets like Kenya.
With Samsung now finally turning attention to the A-series locally, Galaxy A55 owners will be hoping their turn comes soon. Until then, our One UI 8 update tracker remains the best way to stay updated on when the A55 and other pending Galaxy phones get the rollout in Kenya.
