Opinion
Opinion: My Samsung Galaxy S9 deserves Android 11/One UI 3.0 upgrade
Back in February 2018, Samsung has announced two new flagship smartphone in its Galaxy S lineup – Galaxy S9, and Galaxy S9+ at the ‘Mobile World Congress’ in Barcelona. These phones look and design is much identical to their predecessor Galaxy S8 series.
Both the Galaxy S9 and S9+ comes with a powerful Exynos 9810 octa-core processor that is still able to provide better performance. When the devices were launched, they have arrived pre-installed with Android 8.0 Oreo with the Samsung Experience user interface.
At that time, I’ve also purchased a Galaxy S9+ smartphone by hearing its popularity among different company’s smartphone owners. With its early release, users started facing a severe issue in the touchscreen, where it would fail to read input in any particular area of the screen, even after a factory reset.
This issue has badly affected the sales of these smartphones that’s why during its first two sales quarters, a record low 19.2 million units were sold. These phones even became the worst-selling Galaxy S flagship since the Samsung Galaxy S5. Furthermore, the company has officially responded by stating that only a limited number of users facing touchscreen issues with the Galaxy S9 and S9+.
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Other than the touchscreen issues, several users also reported one more problem, which is also related to the display where it displays different shades of dark colors. This issue was named ‘Black Crush Issues’. Later, Samsung has provided new firmware updates to completely bring stability to the Galaxy S9 smartphones.
Following the upgrade cycle, Samsung has also started releasing the first major Android OS upgrade for the Galaxy S9 and S9+. The Android 9 Pie has started hitting both of these phones with the newly released custom skin of Samsung, One UI. With the One UI update, Samsung has totally redesigned the user interface of every Galaxy smartphone.
As Samsung promised, I’ve received another platform upgrade at nearly the starting of the year 2020. The second generation of One UI, One UI 2.0 is built on Android 10. The company has added several exciting new features like new full-screen gestures, dark mode, refined interaction which can help us to comfortably navigate on large screen phones with minimal finger movements.
Meanwhile, among the major software upgrades, I’ve also received security updates every month that keeps my device secure every time with adding patches for the exploits and threats founded every month. The Galaxy S9 phones are still eligible to get monthly security updates until the two-year completion of its launch.
I’m not telling you that after two years of the launching of the Galaxy S9 phones, they were not eligible for any update. While we’ve purchased it for a high-end price, Samsung is committed to providing two more years of quarterly security updates and other regular updates.
Just a month ago, Samsung began releasing plenty of new features, improvements, and enhancements with the One UI 2.5 update. Samsung One UI 2.5 is also based on Android 10 and it doesn’t bring changes to the user interface. Aside from the UI, it adds some useful and unique features like Samsung DeX to wirelessly connect with TVs through Wi-Fi direct. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi function now shows connection strength as Very Fast, Fast, Normal, and Slow just like the latest premium phones.
After these impressive update cycles provided by Samsung, I still have a complaint to the company and this grievance is about another major platform update. Why my Galaxy S9 is not eligible to get the Android 11 update? You’ve increased your upgrade policy but have forgotten this impressive Galaxy S9 series smartphones. We also have invested higher pricing to purchase these devices but you’ve only listed from the successor of the Galaxy S9 series and above devices for three years of Android update support.
Nowadays, Samsung is running beta testing for its latest Android 11 based One UI 3.0 version with its latest as well as some older flagship devices including the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Z Flip, Galaxy S20, Note 20, S10, and Note 10 series smartphones.
With the One UI 3.0, Samsung has completely changed the Home screen and quick panel’s user interface. It also brings several new features adopting from the stock Android as well as improvements for the older functions.
Earlier today, our team has spotted some reports informing that they’ve asked Samsung support and the company representatives have told them that the Galaxy S9 series smartphones are eligible for getting the Android 11 based One UI 3.0 update.
Following the reports, we’ve decided to directly get in touch with Samsung officials to know about the real fact why the rep. claiming to provide Android 11 update for Galaxy S9 smartphones. Finally, we’ve reported that there are no chances for the Galaxy S9 series smartphones to collect another generation of Android update.
As per the revised upgrade policy of Samsung, the flagship devices launched with pre-installed Android 9 Pie or later are eligible to receive three generations of Android upgrades. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ have already got two major Android OS upgrades that’s why there’s no chance for one more major Android upgrade. While some blogs are giving false hope to the honest users of the Galaxy S9 smartphones.
But, in my opinion, Samsung should have to consider that its loyal customers have bought the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ phones at a much higher price range even after having severe issues regarding the touchscreen of this device.
Google has just released the first Developer Preview of Android 16, hinting at an earlier rollout compared to what we’ve seen before. Google is pushing this update to ensure that device manufacturers can adopt it quickly.
While Google is moving ahead with Android 16, Samsung appears to be taking its time with the One UI interface. Typically, Samsung rolls out One UI updates together with Google’s Android releases, but Android 15-based One UI 7.0 is yet to reach the beta stage.
It looks like Samsung is still working with One UI 7 internally, as indicated by several CheckFirm screenshots posted on social media.
This delay could be frustrating for Samsung Galaxy users, particularly as competitors begin updating their devices to newer Android versions. Samsung might be dedicating extra time to perfect One UI 7, focusing on stability, new AI, and security enhancements.
With Google preparing its Android updates, Samsung might need to rethink its update strategy. If Android 16 comes out in the second quarter of 2025, Samsung might have to decide whether to rush One UI 7 out or perhaps move directly to One UI 8 for some eligible Galaxy users, skipping a version to keep pace with Google’s timeline. It’s a common move in tech to skip an update when necessary.
Samsung Galaxy users may need to wait a bit longer, but when One UI 7 or potentially One UI 8 arrives, it’s likely to bring a set of features that continue to differentiate Samsung in the competitive smartphone market.
What’s the current status of One UI 7.0?
Samsung Galaxy users were eagerly awaiting news on One UI 7 during the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2024 held on November 21st in Korea, but the event passed without any official announcements or insights into its progress.
Previously at SDC 2024 in the US, Samsung had mentioned that One UI 7 would be available for developers by the end of the year, suggesting that while not publicly announced, work on One UI 7 is still ongoing. There were numerous rumors that Samsung might be preparing to unveil or at least start a beta program for One UI 7 around this period.
We have already seen hands-on videos and leaks suggesting that One UI 7 will bring significant UI changes, new animations, and enhanced customization features, although these leaks are from older One UI 7 builds since the software is evolving quickly.
While the Galaxy fans were left without a clear update from SDC Korea, the silence doesn’t necessarily mean a delay. Samsung might be planning a different approach for revealing One UI 7 or could be saving the announcement for a later, more perfect moment. Stay tuned to Sammy Fans for all the latest on this front.
I love Samsung phones and always look forward to its new models. The Galaxy S25 Ultra was something I was really looking forward to. However, recent developments have introduced a significant amount of caution into my usual enthusiasm for Samsung’s flagship devices.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s latest chipset for smartphones, was expected to set new benchmarks in smartphone performance. Based on early reports, the smartphones running the latest chipset are getting hot. When phones get too hot, they slow down to cool off, which means they don’t work as well as they should. This could be a big problem for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
This isn’t the first time chips have caused such overheating issues. Remember the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1? It had the same thermal problem, but they made it better later on. This makes me hope they’ll fix the new chip too.
Google’s Tensor chips have also encountered overheating issues. They’re trying to make them better with the next version (G6), focusing on not making them too hot. This approach might be something Samsung considers if the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s heat issues persist.
Samsung usually does a lot of testing to make sure its phones work well. But since they use Qualcomm’s chips for the top models, the company might have to deal with this heat issue too. I’m worried about how this will affect using the phone every day.
There’s always a chance they can fix some of this with software updates. Qualcomm says they’re working on it, but this might just be a quick fix, not a real solution. The effectiveness of these updates will be crucial in determining my decision to upgrade.
The recent chipset issues with both Google’s Tensor and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series have made me more aware of the potential pitfalls in adopting the latest technology without some proven reliability.
I still want the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but now I’m a bit worried. I hope Samsung can make it work without getting too hot.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Source – Sammyfans)
Disclaimer:
It’s worth noting that all discussions here are based on rumors, leaks, and my own expectations as a tech consumer. There’s no official word yet on the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s chipset or its performance. The final product might well address these concerns, but for now, the excitement comes with a side of skepticism.
As we near the end of 2024, people who love Samsung Galaxy phones are really looking forward to the new software update called One UI 7.0. The latest version of One UI is built on the newest Android 15 and will have lots of new stuff. But the question on everyone’s mind is: will we see the beta version in November 2024?
There’s been a lot of excitement building up about One UI 7.0 because of numerous leaks, most notably from Android Headlines, which recently shared what appears to be promotional material for One UI 7.0. This leak showcased new icon designs, lock screen customizations, and a revamped notification bar, making Samsung fans and tech lovers excited.
Well-known tech influencers like @SamsonSirJi on X have hinted at a November rollout for the One UI 7.0 beta. The Galaxy users on the internet are also talking about it more because leaks are happening more often, including a notable hands-on video by a random YouTuber who got early access to the beta on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which suggests that Samsung might be close to opening up the beta program to the public.
Why November 2024?
Historically, Samsung has used beta programs to refine its One UI updates before the official stable release. If we look at previous years, Samsung typically begins its beta phase a few months before the next flagship Galaxy S series launch, which introduces the stable version of the new One UI.
The recent surge in leaks points towards Samsung’s readiness to enter the beta phase. Companies often allow leaks to build hype just before a release.
After SDC, Samsung usually accelerates the rollout of new software updates, which could mean we’re on the cusp of a beta release. The stable Android 15 is already live for Google Pixel devices, though several others have already started the Android 15 beta program.
Given that Samsung has officially confirmed the stable One UI 7.0 will accompany the Galaxy S25 series early next year, starting the beta in November 2024 would give sufficient time for testing and feedback.
Based on the pattern of Samsung’s beta programs, the timing of SDC Korea 2024, and the strategic release of promotional material, there is a strong case to be made that Samsung might indeed start the One UI 7.0 beta in November 2024.
Disclaimer
It’s important to note that while there are strong indications of a November beta release for One UI 7.0, Samsung has not officially confirmed any specific date for the beta program. The company has only shared an estimated timeline pointing towards the end of 2024.