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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra One UI 5.1 test build spotted [AWA6]
Samsung has already started internal testing of the One UI 5.1 for the Galaxy S23 series smartphones. Now, a new build of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra appeared on the checkfirm, which reveals that a major One UI (One UI 5.1) version testing is going on.
According to the information, the One UI 5.1 is testing on the Galaxy S23 Ultra model with firmware version S918NKSU1AWA6 in Korea.
January 6, 2023
After Galaxy S23 Plus, Samsung has started testing Android 13-based One UI 5.1 firmware on the Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone ahead of its launch. Currently, the major One UI build testing is conducted for the Korean variant.
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According to the latest information from the One UI Test Build Detection app – Checkfirm reveals that the One UI build is currently being tested on the Galaxy S23 Ultra (SM-S918N) model. The One UI 5.1 version testing on Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone with firmware S918NKSU1AWA3.
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It’s worth mentioning that this test builds bears CSC code KOO, which suggests it’s being tested for Korean users. At the moment, we don’t have any information on the release date of the One UI 5.1 update but we can expect from today’s information that the release is near.
As per the reports, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series will launch in early February at the Galaxy Unpacked event 2023. Several rumors, leaks, and information started surfacing online that reveal its design, software, processor, and more.
Recently, new renders of Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S23 appeared online that revealed the overall design and camera setup. Notably, Galaxy S23 Ultra to features a quad camera setup consisting of a 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto, and 10MP super telephoto sensor.
Samsung launched its largest Experience Store in Gurugram, India. Located at DLF CyberHub, Samsung’s Gurugram Experience Store promises an immersive, cutting-edge technology showcase.
This sprawling 3,000-square-foot space is where consumers can immerse themselves in Samsung’s most advanced mobile and connected technology offerings.
Samsung says its Gurugram Experience Store is designed to cater to the city’s tech-savvy and innovation-driven community, where visitors can experience hands-on interaction with:
- Flagship smartphones
- Wearables
- Audio devices
- SmartThings ecosystem
Samsung invites all tech enthusiasts, shoppers, and innovators to visit the new Experience Store and explore the best in mobile technology, connected solutions, and personalized services.
Special offers for early visitors:
Samsung also announced special offers for early visitors, including the Galaxy Fit3 at INR 1,999 on select Galaxy purchases and double SmartClub points on all transactions.
Samsung considering trimming down the Foundry workforce by 30% this year. The company has reportedly started a four-round voluntary retirement program.
In an unprecedented move, Samsung kicked off a four-round voluntary retirement program, reports DigiTimes. This move aims to reduce the workforce at Samsung Foundry by 30% by the end of the year.
“Samsung Electronics has launched an unprecedented four-round voluntary retirement program, aiming to cut more than 30% of its foundry workforce.” – DigiTimes.
Recently, Jay Y. Lee completed two years as Samsung Electronics Chairman. The official just returned from its overseas trip to solidify business growth. Samsung Foundry is currently in a massive crisis, requiring immediate action.
It is reported that Samsung Foundry may flag significant losses this year. The company failed to attract major clients for contract manufacturing. At the same time, its advanced process nodes end up falling short of the production threshold.
Samsung’s memory semiconductor business, known as a cash cow, is also facing intense competition. The MX Division is doing a good job, but other divisions must have to stand rock solid to maintain a harmonious growth momentum.
Samsung Foundry may become a separate firm in 3 to 5 years. The company has established a task force within the business that is responsible to sequentially split the Samsung Foundry division from Samsung Electronics.
Korea’s TopDaily reports that Samsung Foundry may split from Samsung Electronics. The task force has three to five years to complete a smooth spin-off. With this strategic move, the company aims to attract major clients.
Samsung Foundry Spin-off
Samsung launched the Foundry division as an independent business in 2017. Since then, the company has been focussing on ambitious investments to foster business growth. However, the division is set to post significant losses this year.
The market has long demanded that Samsung spin off its Foundry business. Industry insiders believe that splitting the foundry business would be beneficial for attracting clients, as greater independence would help secure customer contracts.
Should Samsung spin off the Foundry division?
Separating Foundry from Electronics would be quite challenging for Samsung. The company will be requiring massive funding to spin off the Foundry business. The funding from other firms will significantly affect their performance and growth rate.
Reports say tens of trillions of KRW (billions of dollars) investment will be needed for Samsung Foundry. That said, it will be more advantageous for the foundry to remain under Samsung’s umbrella and secure growth.
How separation will benefit?
After TSMC, Samsung Foundry is the second-largest semiconductor foundry in the world. The company is involved in both memory and system semiconductors. Additionally, it also operates in Foundry and Fabless businesses.
Meanwhile, these advantages are somehow backfiring Samsung Foundry. It is speculated that foundry clients may find it burdensome to entrust semiconductor designs—considered their trade secrets—to Samsung Elec and System LSI.
System LSI division runs a fabless business focused on 5G and AI chips, which competes to some extent with fabless companies like Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and Apple, which could be retained by Samsung Foundry after separation.