diff --git a/.github/workflows/sample-application.yml b/.github/workflows/sample-application.yml
index 0c697f22e5..fd96e31d60 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sample-application.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sample-application.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ jobs:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/skip-ci.yml
 
   build:
-    name: Build ${{ matrix.rn-architecture }} ${{ matrix.platform }} ${{ matrix.build-type }} ${{ matrix.ios-use-frameworks}}
+    name: ${{ matrix.job-name }}
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
     needs: [diff_check]
     if: ${{ needs.diff_check.outputs.skip_ci != 'true' }}
@@ -36,26 +36,96 @@ jobs:
       # we want that the matrix keeps running, default is to cancel them if it fails.
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        rn-architecture: ['legacy', 'new']
-        ios-use-frameworks: ['no-frameworks', 'dynamic-frameworks']
-        platform: ['android', 'ios', 'macos']
-        build-type: ['dev', 'production']
         include:
-          - platform: ios
+          # macOS builds
+          - job-name: Build macOS Legacy Dev
+            platform: macos
             runs-on: macos-15
-          - platform: macos
+            rn-architecture: legacy
+            build-type: dev
+
+          - job-name: Build macOS Legacy Release
+            platform: macos
             runs-on: macos-15
-          - platform: android
-            runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-        exclude:
-          - platform: 'android'
+            rn-architecture: legacy
+            build-type: production
+
+          # iOS builds
+          - job-name: Build iOS Legacy Dev
+            platform: ios
+            runs-on: macos-15
+            rn-architecture: legacy
+            build-type: dev
+
+          - job-name: Build iOS Legacy Prod
+            platform: ios
+            runs-on: macos-15
+            rn-architecture: legacy
+            build-type: production
+
+          - job-name: Build iOS New Arch Dev Static
+            platform: ios
+            runs-on: macos-15
+            rn-architecture: new
+            build-type: dev
+            ios-use-frameworks: 'no-frameworks'
+
+          - job-name: Build iOS New Arch Prod Static
+            platform: ios
+            runs-on: macos-15
+            rn-architecture: new
+            build-type: production
+            ios-use-frameworks: 'no-frameworks'
+
+          - job-name: Build iOS New Arch Dev Dynamic
+            platform: ios
+            runs-on: macos-15
+            rn-architecture: new
+            build-type: dev
             ios-use-frameworks: 'dynamic-frameworks'
-          - rn-architecture: 'new'
+
+          - job-name: Build iOS New Arch Prod Dynamic
+            platform: ios
+            runs-on: macos-15
+            rn-architecture: new
+            build-type: production
             ios-use-frameworks: 'dynamic-frameworks'
-          - rn-architecture: 'new'
-            platform: 'macos'
-          - ios-use-frameworks: 'dynamic-frameworks'
-            platform: 'macos'
+
+          # Android builds
+          - job-name: Build Android Legacy Dev Manual
+            platform: android
+            runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+            rn-architecture: legacy
+            build-type: dev
+            init-type: manual
+
+          - job-name: Build Android Legacy Prod Manual
+            platform: android
+            runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+            rn-architecture: legacy
+            build-type: production
+            init-type: manual
+
+          - job-name: Build Android New Arch Dev Manual
+            platform: android
+            runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+            rn-architecture: new
+            build-type: dev
+            init-type: manual
+
+          - job-name: Build Android New Arch Prod Manual
+            platform: android
+            runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+            rn-architecture: new
+            build-type: production
+            init-type: manual
+
+          - job-name: Build Android New Arch Prod Auto
+            platform: android
+            runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+            rn-architecture: new
+            build-type: production
+            init-type: auto
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
@@ -114,6 +184,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           export RN_ARCHITECTURE="${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}"
           [[ "${{ matrix.build-type }}" == "production" ]] && export CONFIG='release' || export CONFIG='debug'
+          [[ "${{ matrix.init-type }}" == "auto" ]] && export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START='true' || export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START='false'
 
           ./scripts/set-dsn-aos.mjs
           ./scripts/build-android.sh -PreactNativeArchitectures=x86
@@ -174,7 +245,7 @@ jobs:
         if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' && matrix.rn-architecture == 'new' && matrix.build-type == 'production' }}
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         with:
-          name: sample-rn-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.platform }}
+          name: sample-rn-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.init-type }}
           path: ${{ env.ANDROID_APP_ARCHIVE_PATH }}
           retention-days: 1
 
@@ -195,7 +266,7 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-          - job-name: 'Test iOS Release Auto Init'
+          - job-name: 'Test iOS Prod New Arch Auto Init'
             platform: ios
             runs-on: macos-15
             rn-architecture: 'new'
@@ -203,7 +274,7 @@ jobs:
             build-type: 'production'
             test-command: 'yarn test-ios-auto' # tests native auto init from JS
 
-          - job-name: 'Test iOS Release Manual Init'
+          - job-name: 'Test iOS Prod New Arch Manual Init'
             platform: ios
             runs-on: macos-15
             rn-architecture: 'new'
@@ -211,12 +282,21 @@ jobs:
             build-type: 'production'
             test-command: 'yarn test-ios-manual'
 
-          - job-name: 'Test Android Release Manual Init'
+          - job-name: 'Test Android Prod New Arch Manual Init'
+            platform: android
+            runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+            rn-architecture: 'new'
+            build-type: 'production'
+            init-type: manual
+            test-command: 'yarn test-android-manual'
+
+          - job-name: 'Test Android Prod New Arch Auto Init'
             platform: android
             runs-on: ubuntu-latest
             rn-architecture: 'new'
             build-type: 'production'
-            test-command: 'yarn test-android'
+            init-type: auto
+            test-command: 'yarn test-android-auto'
 
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -232,7 +312,7 @@ jobs:
         if: ${{ matrix.platform == 'android' }}
         uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
         with:
-          name: sample-rn-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.platform }}
+          name: sample-rn-${{ matrix.rn-architecture }}-${{ matrix.build-type }}-${{ matrix.platform }}-${{ matrix.init-type }}
           path: ${{ env.REACT_NATIVE_SAMPLE_PATH }}
 
       - name: Unzip iOS App Archive
diff --git a/samples/react-native/.detoxrc.js b/samples/react-native/.detoxrc.js
index a3501515a9..a984f40945 100644
--- a/samples/react-native/.detoxrc.js
+++ b/samples/react-native/.detoxrc.js
@@ -1,5 +1,27 @@
 const process = require('process');
 
+const baseConfig = jestConfig => ({
+  testRunner: {
+    args: {
+      $0: 'jest',
+      config: jestConfig,
+    },
+    jest: {
+      setupTimeout: 120000,
+    },
+  },
+});
+
+const androidConfig = () => ({
+  device: 'ci.emulator',
+  app: 'ci.android',
+});
+
+const iosConfig = () => ({
+  device: 'ci.simulator',
+  app: 'ci.ios',
+});
+
 /** @type {Detox.DetoxConfig} */
 module.exports = {
   testRunner: {},
@@ -31,44 +53,21 @@ module.exports = {
     },
   },
   configurations: {
-    'ci.android': {
-      device: 'ci.emulator',
-      app: 'ci.android',
-      testRunner: {
-        args: {
-          $0: 'jest',
-          config: 'e2e/jest.config.android.js',
-        },
-        jest: {
-          setupTimeout: 120000,
-        },
-      },
+    'ci.android.auto': {
+      ...baseConfig('e2e/jest.config.android.auto.js'),
+      ...androidConfig(),
+    },
+    'ci.android.manual': {
+      ...baseConfig('e2e/jest.config.android.manual.js'),
+      ...androidConfig(),
     },
     'ci.sim.auto': {
-      device: 'ci.simulator',
-      app: 'ci.ios',
-      testRunner: {
-        args: {
-          $0: 'jest',
-          config: 'e2e/jest.config.ios.auto.js',
-        },
-        jest: {
-          setupTimeout: 120000,
-        },
-      },
+      ...baseConfig('e2e/jest.config.ios.auto.js'),
+      ...iosConfig(),
     },
     'ci.sim.manual': {
-      device: 'ci.simulator',
-      app: 'ci.ios',
-      testRunner: {
-        args: {
-          $0: 'jest',
-          config: 'e2e/jest.config.ios.manual.js',
-        },
-        jest: {
-          setupTimeout: 120000,
-        },
-      },
+      ...baseConfig('e2e/jest.config.ios.manual.js'),
+      ...iosConfig(),
     },
   },
 };
diff --git a/samples/react-native/e2e/jest.config.android.js b/samples/react-native/e2e/jest.config.android.auto.js
similarity index 51%
rename from samples/react-native/e2e/jest.config.android.js
rename to samples/react-native/e2e/jest.config.android.auto.js
index a07210b212..6fd21728be 100644
--- a/samples/react-native/e2e/jest.config.android.js
+++ b/samples/react-native/e2e/jest.config.android.auto.js
@@ -3,5 +3,9 @@ const baseConfig = require('./jest.config.base');
 /** @type {import('@jest/types').Config.InitialOptions} */
 module.exports = {
   ...baseConfig,
-  testMatch: [...baseConfig.testMatch, '<rootDir>/e2e/**/*.test.android.ts'],
+  testMatch: [
+    ...baseConfig.testMatch,
+    '<rootDir>/e2e/**/*.test.android.ts',
+    '<rootDir>/e2e/**/*.test.android.auto.ts',
+  ],
 };
diff --git a/samples/react-native/e2e/jest.config.android.manual.js b/samples/react-native/e2e/jest.config.android.manual.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..89d80d3fc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/react-native/e2e/jest.config.android.manual.js
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+const baseConfig = require('./jest.config.base');
+
+/** @type {import('@jest/types').Config.InitialOptions} */
+module.exports = {
+  ...baseConfig,
+  testMatch: [
+    ...baseConfig.testMatch,
+    '<rootDir>/e2e/**/*.test.android.ts',
+    '<rootDir>/e2e/**/*.test.android.manual.ts',
+  ],
+};
diff --git a/samples/react-native/package.json b/samples/react-native/package.json
index 8e80a5d598..55431c6409 100644
--- a/samples/react-native/package.json
+++ b/samples/react-native/package.json
@@ -5,16 +5,21 @@
   "scripts": {
     "postinstall": "patch-package",
     "start": "react-native start",
-    "build-android-release": "scripts/build-android-release.sh",
-    "build-android-release-legacy": "scripts/build-android-release-legacy.sh",
-    "build-android-debug": "scripts/build-android-debug.sh",
-    "build-android-debug-legacy": "scripts/build-android-debug-legacy.sh",
+    "build-android-release-manual": "scripts/build-android-release-manual.sh",
+    "build-android-release-legacy-manual": "scripts/build-android-release-legacy-manual.sh",
+    "build-android-debug-manual": "scripts/build-android-debug-manual.sh",
+    "build-android-debug-legacy-manual": "scripts/build-android-debug-legacy-manual.sh",
+    "build-android-release-auto": "scripts/build-android-release-auto.sh",
+    "build-android-release-legacy-auto": "scripts/build-android-release-legacy-auto.sh",
+    "build-android-debug-auto": "scripts/build-android-debug-auto.sh",
+    "build-android-debug-legacy-auto": "scripts/build-android-debug-legacy-auto.sh",
     "build-ios-release": "scripts/build-ios-release.sh",
     "build-ios-debug": "scripts/build-ios-debug.sh",
     "test": "jest",
     "set-test-dsn-android": "scripts/set-dsn-aos.mjs",
     "set-test-dsn-ios": "scripts/set-dsn-ios.mjs",
-    "test-android": "scripts/test-android.sh",
+    "test-android-auto": "scripts/test-android-auto.sh",
+    "test-android-manual": "scripts/test-android-manual.sh",
     "test-ios-manual": "scripts/test-ios-manual.sh",
     "test-ios-auto": "scripts/test-ios-auto.sh",
     "lint": "npx eslint . --ext .js,.jsx,.ts,.tsx",
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-auto.sh
similarity index 78%
rename from samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug.sh
rename to samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-auto.sh
index 89f9ae626c..85b2f4bb88 100755
--- a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug.sh
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-auto.sh
@@ -7,5 +7,6 @@ thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
 
 export RN_ARCHITECTURE="new"
 export CONFIG="debug"
+export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START="true"
 
 "${thisFilePath}/build-android.sh"
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-legacy.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-legacy-auto.sh
similarity index 78%
rename from samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-legacy.sh
rename to samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-legacy-auto.sh
index ac0952892d..fbe8501a64 100755
--- a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-legacy.sh
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-legacy-auto.sh
@@ -7,5 +7,6 @@ thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
 
 export RN_ARCHITECTURE="legacy"
 export CONFIG="debug"
+export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START="true"
 
 "${thisFilePath}/build-android.sh"
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-legacy-manual.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-legacy-manual.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..84b2347f22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-legacy-manual.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Exit on error
+set -e
+
+thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
+
+export RN_ARCHITECTURE="legacy"
+export CONFIG="debug"
+export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START="false"
+
+"${thisFilePath}/build-android.sh"
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-manual.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-manual.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..42514ca164
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-debug-manual.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Exit on error
+set -e
+
+thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
+
+export RN_ARCHITECTURE="new"
+export CONFIG="debug"
+export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START="false"
+
+"${thisFilePath}/build-android.sh"
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-auto.sh
similarity index 78%
rename from samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release.sh
rename to samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-auto.sh
index 3403a3c1bb..150152b64c 100755
--- a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release.sh
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-auto.sh
@@ -7,5 +7,6 @@ thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
 
 export RN_ARCHITECTURE="new"
 export CONFIG="release"
+export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START="true"
 
 "${thisFilePath}/build-android.sh"
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-legacy.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-legacy-auto.sh
similarity index 79%
rename from samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-legacy.sh
rename to samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-legacy-auto.sh
index cf853c15cc..23b262fd13 100755
--- a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-legacy.sh
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-legacy-auto.sh
@@ -7,5 +7,6 @@ thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
 
 export RN_ARCHITECTURE="legacy"
 export CONFIG="release"
+export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START="true"
 
 "${thisFilePath}/build-android.sh"
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-legacy-manual.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-legacy-manual.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..94a1ac82b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-legacy-manual.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Exit on error
+set -e
+
+thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
+
+export RN_ARCHITECTURE="legacy"
+export CONFIG="release"
+export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START="false"
+
+"${thisFilePath}/build-android.sh"
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-manual.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-manual.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..58d2c80aac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/build-android-release-manual.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Exit on error
+set -e
+
+thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
+
+export RN_ARCHITECTURE="new"
+export CONFIG="release"
+export SENTRY_DISABLE_NATIVE_START="false"
+
+"${thisFilePath}/build-android.sh"
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/test-android.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/detect-aos-emu.sh
similarity index 89%
rename from samples/react-native/scripts/test-android.sh
rename to samples/react-native/scripts/detect-aos-emu.sh
index bbef32a81f..962d97ded0 100755
--- a/samples/react-native/scripts/test-android.sh
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/detect-aos-emu.sh
@@ -3,10 +3,6 @@
 # Exit on error and print commands
 set -xe
 
-thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
-
-cd "${thisFilePath}/.."
-
 if [ -z "$ANDROID_AVD_NAME" ]; then
   # Get the name of the first booted or connected Android device
   DEVICE_NAME=$(adb devices | grep -w "device" | head -n 1 | cut -f 1)
@@ -38,6 +34,3 @@ if [ -z "$ANDROID_AVD_NAME" ]; then
     echo "Using Android device: $DEVICE_NAME"
   fi
 fi
-
-# Run the tests
-detox test --configuration ci.android
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/test-android-auto.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/test-android-auto.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..e6930dc60b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/test-android-auto.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Exit on error and print commands
+set -xe
+
+thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
+
+cd "${thisFilePath}/.."
+
+source "${thisFilePath}/detect-aos-emu.sh"
+
+# Run the tests
+detox test --configuration ci.android.auto
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/test-android-manual.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/test-android-manual.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..33a27e90cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/test-android-manual.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Exit on error and print commands
+set -xe
+
+thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
+
+cd "${thisFilePath}/.."
+
+source "${thisFilePath}/detect-aos-emu.sh"
+
+# Run the tests
+detox test --configuration ci.android.manual
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/test-ios-auto.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/test-ios-auto.sh
index 9192a9619e..8e07b19824 100755
--- a/samples/react-native/scripts/test-ios-auto.sh
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/test-ios-auto.sh
@@ -7,6 +7,6 @@ thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
 
 cd "${thisFilePath}/.."
 
-"${thisFilePath}/detect-ios-sim.sh"
+source "${thisFilePath}/detect-ios-sim.sh"
 
 detox test --configuration ci.sim.auto --app-launch-args="--sentry-disable-native-start"
diff --git a/samples/react-native/scripts/test-ios-manual.sh b/samples/react-native/scripts/test-ios-manual.sh
index b1c295edda..6602f9f626 100755
--- a/samples/react-native/scripts/test-ios-manual.sh
+++ b/samples/react-native/scripts/test-ios-manual.sh
@@ -7,6 +7,6 @@ thisFilePath=$(dirname "$0")
 
 cd "${thisFilePath}/.."
 
-"${thisFilePath}/detect-ios-sim.sh"
+source "${thisFilePath}/detect-ios-sim.sh"
 
 detox test --configuration ci.sim.manual