Samsung’s next budget phone is turning out to be a bit of a time machine. Early Geekbench numbers for the Galaxy A18 have popped up, and the mix of parts is pretty wild.

The listing (spotted by Alfaturk) shows the LTE version scoring 744 in single-core and 2,064 in multi-core. It’s running a MediaTek Helio G99, the same chip MediaTek launched back in 2022, with 4GB of RAM and, surprisingly, Android 17 with One UI 9 already on board. It’s also the chip used in the 4G variants of the Galaxy A15, A16, and last year’s A17.

That Helio G99 is a 6nm chip with two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz, six Cortex-A55s at 2.0 GHz, and a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. It’s the bare minimum for a smartphone in 2026. The 4GB of RAM feels even older; phones first started shipping with that amount around 2015. It’s still hanging around though, mostly because memory prices have gone crazy thanks to the AI boom.

The real head-turner is the software. Samsung is testing the A18 with One UI 9, which is still only in beta on the flagship Galaxy S26 series. If the brand follows its usual launch schedule, the device should arrive in late Q3 or Q4. A 5G variant is also expected around the same time and, according to a previous leak, could use a Snapdragon chipset instead of the Exynos 1330 found in the A17 (5G).

Basic stuff like calling, messaging, and a little bit of social media should still be fine, but don’t expect the A18 4G to handle modern apps with a ton of features or heavy graphics without noticeable slowdowns or issues. It will also be interesting to see how much of the

Design, cameras, and exact pricing still aren’t public, but this early benchmark already gives a pretty clear picture of what’s under the hood.

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(Source: @Alfaturk16)

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The Galaxy A17 5G launched back in August last year, followed by a 4G variant in September with an identical design and nearly identical specifications. Now the Galaxy A18 has surfaced in high-quality renders, revealing its design ahead of launch.

The renders come from OnLeaks in collaboration with Smartphone Checker and are reportedly based on official factory CAD data shared with case makers. This means the renders should be very close to the actual design.

According to the CAD data, the phone measures 164.4 x 77.8 x 7.84mm. This makes it 0.34mm thicker than the Galaxy A17 models. On the back, the renders show a slightly refined pill-shaped camera housing, which also protrudes less than the predecessor’s thanks to the added thickness.

On the front, not much seems to have changed. Samsung is continuing with the “Infinity-U notch” it has been using in its entry-level phones since 2019. While exact bezel dimensions weren’t provided, they should remain similar to last year’s if Samsung’s track record is anything to go by.

Moving on to specifications, a recent report from ZDNet Korea suggests Samsung is dropping Exynos on the 5G model in favor of a Snapdragon chipset. According to rumors, it could be the 6nm-based Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, a slightly overclocked version of the older Snapdragon 695. This chip should be capable of handling most day-to-day tasks and some light gaming.

Both the 5G and 4G versions of the Galaxy A17 series came with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. They featured a 50MP main camera (1/2.76″), a 5MP ultrawide, and a 13MP selfie shooter.

It will be interesting to see if the 0.34mm increase in thickness finally translates into a battery upgrade for the Galaxy A18. The 5,000mAh battery has been Samsung’s go-to option across different price segments for years. Interestingly, the upcoming top-of-the-line flagship, the Galaxy S27 Ultra, finally seems to be getting a significantly larger battery.

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Samsung is reportedly moving away from its own Exynos chips for the upcoming Galaxy A18 series. The 4G model will stick with a MediaTek processor, following the same approach used in the A16 4G and A17 4G, while the 5G version will switch to a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset instead of the Exynos 1330 chip found in previous 5G models.

The switch from Exynos to Qualcomm on the 5G model is reportedly driven mainly by cost control rather than a big performance leap. That said, Qualcomm’s strong reputation in 5G connectivity and efficiency could still make the phone feel like a solid upgrade for buyers compared to the Exynos-powered predecessors.

Production timelines are already taking shape. The A18 4G (model SM-A185F) is expected to enter mass production as early as August 2026, starting at around 100,000 units per month before ramping up significantly. The 5G version will reportedly follow a few months later.

Full specifications are still under wraps, but the A18 looks set to deliver what the A-series is known for. Predecessors like the A17 featured a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate, a 50MP main camera, a 5,000mAh battery with 25W charging, and an IP54 rating. Samsung’s generous software support, often six years of OS upgrades and security patches, remains one of the biggest advantages for budget-conscious buyers.

Firmware development for the A18 4G is already underway, with signs it could launch on Android 17 with One UI 9. That would reportedly bring modern AI features and a fresh experience right from the start. Rumors also suggest possible improvements like a refined design, but we’ll need official confirmation for those details.

In a segment where Chinese brands are pushing aggressive specs at low prices, Samsung’s chipset choices feel pragmatic. By using proven MediaTek and Qualcomm solutions, the A18 should offer reliable performance in both 4G and 5G versions. As we get closer to launch, expect more details on exact chipsets, display specs, cameras, and regional pricing to emerge.

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