Android
4x Android updates on sale at Samsung, grab yours
At Samsung, you don’t need to buy a flagship Galaxy device, if you care about 4x Android updates. The company brings flagship-like software support to its cheap smartphones too, so consumers can get peace of mind and use their device longer.
The Galaxy A34, Galaxy M54, and Galaxy A24 are the best examples of Samsung’s unbeatable software guarantee. While the company canceled Galaxy S22 FE and Galaxy A74, the same treatment expanded to cheaper phones such as the Galaxy A24.
All of these devices come preloaded with the latest Android 13-based One UI 5 software, and the South Korean tech giant promised to deliver major upgrades until Android 17. Notably, the budget Samsung phone is providing even longer Android support than Google flagships.
2023 Samsung phones with 4x Android updates
- Galaxy S23, S23 Plus and S23 Ultra
- Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34
- Galaxy M54
- Galaxy A24
The company’s Galaxy S23 flagships come with 4 OS upgrade support, with pre-installed Android 13-based One UI 5.1. Thanks to the premium Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, you will be able to use your device amazingly at least until the 2nd quarter of 2027.
Talking about the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34, the latter became the cheapest Samsung phone to feature 4 generations of OS upgrades. Shortly, the Galaxy M54 smartphone went official, bringing the same software support as the Galaxy S23 flagships.
And a few days back, the company launched the Galaxy A24 in Vietnam. The press release mentions 4 generations of major Android/One UI updates and up to five years of security patches. This makes A24 the first budget Samsung phone to bring such a longer OS guarantee.
The Galaxy S23 series and Galaxy A54 are available for purchase in the US, while the Galaxy M54 and Galaxy A24 are yet to roll out widely. Performance and user experience may vary by hardware installations, while longer software support is officially promised and will be fulfilled as well.
Google has kicked off the Developer Preview for Android 16, arriving earlier than expected. Usually, these previews begin in February, but Android 16 DP1 is launching three months ahead of schedule this year.
The earlier release of the DP1 is because Google has moved the official Android 16 release from the third quarter to the second quarter of 2025. It aims to ensure that more devices get access to the major Android updates sooner.
Android 16 DP1 is available for several Pixel devices, including the pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator. It can be identified through version BP21.241018.009.
The Android 16 Developer Preview brings new features for app developers. It brings a system photo picker that will help apps give users a smoother, more integrated way to select photos without needing extra permissions.
Another new feature is Health Connect, which lets apps access and manage medical records in FHIR format, but only with user permission. The update also includes the latest version of the Privacy Sandbox for privacy protection.
This preview program runs from November 2024 until the final public release next year. Android 16 Beta Program will begin in January, with the final stable release expected in Q2 of 2025. Stay tuned for more updates.
Android 16 to make Quick Settings access easier with one-finger swipe
Google has released the first beta of Android 15 QPR2 for Pixel users. The update can be identified via build version BP11.241025.006. However, users are also waiting for the stable release of Android 15 QPR1 in December this year.
Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 update comes with the November 2024 security patch. It is available for a wide range of Pixel devices, including Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator.
Quarterly Platform Releases are updates that bring more noticeable changes and new features compared to the usual monthly bug fixes. These updates are perfect for testing out bigger UI changes or new features that don’t need to wait for a full Android version release.
The QPR2 Beta 1 is the second major update for Android 15, with the final version expected to launch in March 2025 (via 9to5Google). This update brings the usual bug fixes, security enhancements, and new features to test.
Users participating in the beta program are advised to report any issues via the Android Beta Feedback app, easily accessible through the app drawer or Quick Settings. Install the update now to get an enhanced experience.
Android 16 to make Quick Settings access easier with one-finger swipe
Google is reportedly going to bring an interesting change with Android 16, which will no longer require two fingers to pull down the Quick Settings panel. Previously, there were concerns that users would need to swipe down with two fingers to bring up the Quick Settings. Fortunately, Google has decided to simplify this process.
With Android 16, accessing the Quick Settings will only require a single-finger swipe down on the right half of the status bar. The one-finger swipe access aligns it more closely similar to other Android manufacturers, like OnePlus and Samsung, have designed their systems.
Several users didn’t like the idea of needing two fingers to swipe down, as it felt more awkward and less convenient. By switching to a single-finger swipe for Android 16, Google will make it easier for users to manage their settings with less effort. A well-known tipster Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority) spotted the code for this Quick Settings change.
However, the new design still lacks the ability to swipe seamlessly between the notifications and Quick Settings panels. Hopefully, Google will add this feature before the official release.
In addition to the swipe change, Android 16 will introduce resizable Quick Settings tiles and better categorization to help users find specific settings more easily.
However, these features are still being worked on and may not be fully ready in the current beta. They are expected to roll out in the final Android 16 release, which is expected in mid-2025.