Android
Which Samsung Phones Will Say Goodbye After Android 14/One UI 6?
Samsung takes Galaxy’s software support quite seriously. The company is continuously enhancing its software department and cementing its lead in after-sales support. Android 14-based One UI 6 is coming later this year as the last major update for several Samsung devices.
As Android 14 is yet to officially land on Samsung devices, we’ve compiled a list of handsets, which will have to spend their remaining time on the One UI 6. As the company’s software policy is pretty clear, there’s no confusion on models’ eligibility for updates.
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Galaxy S21 was eligible for major updates up to Android 14, while Samsung promised additional OS support. This means, the upcoming Android 14 will not be the last OS upgrade for the lineup, and the same applies to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
The S21 FE launched with Android 12 out of the box, while 2022’s revised policy makes it eligible for updates up to Android 16. All flagships launched after the S21 line are eligible for 4 OS, while several Galaxy A, M, and F series phones will have to stick with Android 14.
Galaxy A series phones that are eligible for 3 OS will end up getting major upgrades post-Android 14 release. Meanwhile, several mid-range and budget phones from Galaxy M and Galaxy F lineups are supported by just two major upgrades.
Android 14-based One UI 6 will be the last major update for these Samsung devices:
- Galaxy A72
- Galaxy A52 (A52 5G, A52s)
- Galaxy A23
- Galaxy A13
- Galaxy M53 5G
- Galaxy M33 5G
- Galaxy M23
- Galaxy M13
- Galaxy F23
- Galaxy F13
Circle to Search is reportedly coming to more Android devices next month. In an exciting development, Tecno announced that the Circle to Search will be available on its new foldable, the Phantom V Fold 2, starting October 2024.
Samsung debuted Circle to Search with the Galaxy S24 series. It’s developed by Google in close partnership with the Galaxy maker. Google also expanded the feature to all of its Tensor-powered Pixel smartphones with Feature Drop.
We knew Circle to Search wouldn’t be available on non-Galaxy and Pixel phones till this October. Samsung already announced the availability of this feature will remain limited to certain phones made by either Samsung or Google.
It seems Samsung may have reached an agreement with Google. In order to showcase Galaxies supreme in the Android ecosystem, both firms may have restricted the expansion of the Circle to Search for at least 10 months.
Google has been regularly working to optimize Circle to Search for all Android phones. As it’s coming to Tecno phone next month, we expect other leading vendors including Xiaomi, Vivo, OnePlus, and OPPO will also be joined.
Well, Google hasn’t officially announced the expansion of Circle to Search. As Tecno is also a Google partner, this spirited claim couldn’t be untrue. Pay attention, Google has an ambitious plan to fuel 200 million Androids with Circle to Search.
One UI could add an iOS-like Stolen Device Protection feature through Android. Google is developing an Identity Check feature, forcing you to use your biometrics to unlock apps. This addition will significantly reduce the privacy breach concerns.
Samsung brings all Android security and privacy features to One UI. The iOS-inspired Stolen Device Protection is highly likely to come to your Galaxy. As the feature is under development, few details about its functioning have appeared.
Findings suggest that Android could soon implement an Identity Check feature. It will force you to use your biometrics to unlock apps. However, biometrics will only be mandatory if the device is outside of a trusted location.
MishaalRahman discovered a new string within the Settings app. The addition suggests “Identity Check is on.” The Settings app has code to show this “Identity Check is on” string when it invokes Android’s biometric prompt dialog.
It is assumed that the Pixel maker is setting up Android to ignore when apps invoke the biometric prompt dialog with a PIN/password/pattern fallback. The feature is expected to be triggered when you are out of trusted locations such as your home.
It could be added through the Trusted Places feature upgrade. This Android tool keeps your phone unlocked when it’s at a trusted location. Using it, the trusted locations will determine when to trigger biometric authentication of apps.
Google is currently running Android 15’s QPR Beta Program. The company will test various new features and improvements across the OS. The changes will likely be distributed through Feature Drop updates in the future.
Google pushed Android 15 to AOSP ahead of rollout to Pixel phones. Android vendors will now be able to use Android 15 as the base and tailor the experience. It’s a significant development for Samsung users waiting for the One UI 7 Beta update.
Samsung is continuously improving the One UI 7 experience through internal testing. The new OS’s AOSP availability will accelerate the testing for Galaxy devices. One UI 7 will have Android 15 as the base featuring modifications as per needs.
One UI is known as the most feature-rich Android skin in the market. One UI 7 is expected to debut unique features and customizations. AOSP release also ensures new Android 15 features would be incorporated into One UI.
Samsung developers would have been exploring new possibilities and experimenting with features. The latest additions would benefit the entire Galaxy community as well as other Android vendors as inspiration for a better user experience.
Pay attention, AOSP releases often include security patches to address vulnerabilities. Samsung has its own mechanism of security updates but it too relies on Android’s. Therefore, faster security updates likely follow the AOSP debut.
AOSP:
Simply put, AOSP is a general availability of Android 15 for modifications. Google has completed the Beta testing of the new OS and the QPR program has also started for Pixels. It’s now Android vendors’ turn to deploy the new update on their devices.
Google notes Android 15 will be available on Pixel devices in the coming weeks, as well as on select devices from Samsung, Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, vivo, and Xiaomi in the coming months.