Samsung
Samsung One UI 7: Everything we know about Samsung’s Android 15 update
Samsung will roll out Android 15 to Galaxy devices in 2025, and we had a sneak peek of One UI 7.0 at SDC24. Google is already working on the next Android version, which is confirmed to be made available on Pixel phones by June next year.
Meanwhile, Samsung is still working on the Android 15-based One UI 7.0. The Galaxy S24 series will be the first to get it on the Beta channel. Dozens of Galaxy devices are eligible for this major upgrade, forming a big rollout later this year.
Android 15
The new OS entered Developer Preview in February and Public Beta in April. Google released the final version of Android 15 on October 15 for Pixel devices. The Android 15’s QPR Beta activity has also started ahead of the Android 16 Developer Preview.
One UI 7
At SDC24, Samsung teased some One UI 7 changes and features. The Beta Program will start in late 2024, while Stable set to be released next year. The S23 series received One UI 6 Beta in August last year, but this year’s schedule has entirely changed.
The new update focuses on improving device performance and power efficiency. It’s also well-optimized for the artificial intelligence era. Consumers can expect faster app loading, longer battery backup, enhanced security and privacy, and core improvements at the OS level.
One UI 7.0
Samsung held this year’s Developer Conference on October 3. The event’s stage was utilized to introduce new One UI 7 features and enhancements. The company has also showcased advancements in Tizen and SmartThings. Design principles:
- Simple: Aiming for purposeful simplicity across the UI.
- Impactful: Creating a new signature impression for One UI.
- Emotive: Creating UI elements, like a new blur engine, that elicit a positive emotional response from users.
One UI Beta build can be installed on your primary handset, but we prefer avoiding it. Beta isn’t for you if you don’t want to counter bugs and functional errors. Consider waiting till the Stable rollout commences enjoying One UI 6.1.1.
[Most recent development] The first One UI 7 Beta firmware with a build version ending with ZXKB has been spotted on Samsung’s server.
[Read More] Samsung unveils One UI 7 at SDC24
- Samsung confirmed One UI 7 Beta coming in late 2024 and Stable in early 2025.
- The company is exploring a fresh new design across the interface.
- More new Galaxy AI features will be expanded to the A series.
Previous updates:
- [September 20] TM Roh personally supervised the development of One UI 7. He began to pay special attention to the software experience, more than ever before.
- [August 27] Google is unlikely to push the Public Android 15 update in September this year. It’s still working to improve the stability of the new OS, with rollout starting in October.
- [August 5] Samsung insider claims that One UI 7 Beta isn’t coming very soon.
- One UI 7 Beta has not yet been released but various changes have emerged. The software comes with several design changes, separated notification and quick settings, dynamic pill, and more rounded UI elements.
- After the S24 Plus, Samsung’s Android 15 Beta was spotted on Galaxy S22, S23, S23 FE and S21 smartphones.
- One UI 7 Beta is getting tested on the Galaxy S24 series internally. Recently, an S24+ was spotted running the new OS on Geekbench with minor performance improvements.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE smartphone users are getting a fresh update with a November 2024 security patch. This update boosts system security and stability to provide a better experience.
November 2024 security update for Samsung Galaxy S23 FE smartphone arrives with One UI build version S711NKSU5BXK4. The update is currently rolling out in South Korea and will soon be available in more countries.
This fresh update is based on Android 14 and One UI 6. However, the devices is eligible for the next major One UI update, expected to get a One UI 7 stable update after the Galaxy S25 launch next year. It is not clear yet whether the device will get One UI 7 beta.
While Samsung is going to release One UI 7 Beta soon, it is important to make your Galaxy S23 FE smartphone ready for it. For that, you need to install the latest November 2024 security update on your smartphone.
Notably, the latest security patch addresses 52 vulnerabilities across Android and Samsung’s software. Google has resolved 38 high-priority issues, while one CVE is not relevant to Galaxy devices.
Additionally, Samsung’s patches include fixes for 13 vulnerabilities, primarily impacting user profiles, Dex Mode, Galaxy Watch, and certain system features like Settings and Maintenance Mode.
If you are using a Galaxy S23 FE smartphone, install the update now via Settings >> Software Update >> Download and Install.
Samsung has improved its Mobile Security Rewards Program by increasing the maximum reward amount to $1 million for security vulnerability reports from outside security experts. This change aims to encourage more collaboration and openness in mobile security, showing Samsung’s goal of keeping user data safe.
Since its launch in 2017, the program has introduced a new system for classifying security risks with Samsung Mobile Security Risk Classification. This system now offers clearer details about different types of vulnerabilities
Moreover, it includes new factors like the ability to lower a threat’s severity and a classification for threats considered to be minimal risks. Vulnerabilities are grouped into five levels – Critical, High, Moderate, Low, and Ineligible, which helps security researchers understand how serious each threat is.
The program applies to all Samsung mobile devices that receive monthly, quarterly, and biannual security updates. It also rewards reports of potential security issues in the latest Samsung Galaxy services, such as Bixby, Samsung Account, and Samsung Wallet, among others.
Samsung also commits to providing up to seven years of security updates for its mobile devices. The updated rewards program includes a special initiative called the Important Scenario Vulnerability Program, which addresses serious security issues, such as unauthorized access to data and harmful code execution.
In August 2024, Samsung released its first Annual Rewards Program Report to highlight its success since the program began. In 2023 alone, Samsung awarded over $800,000 to 113 researchers, with total payouts exceeding $4 million. This Mobile Security Rewards Program is effective immediately.
On November 19, Google dropped the Android 16 Developer Preview. It’s a very initial development stage of the new Android version. Samsung Galaxy devices may receive the new Android 16-based One UI (8) update in the second half of 2025.
Dozens of Samsung Galaxy devices are eligible for the Android 16 update. Galaxy smartphone users are currently waiting for the One UI 7 Beta Program to kick off. It will bring Android 15 to Samsung smartphones and tablets.
Samsung’s running way too late this year. It hasn’t yet started the new software’s beta testing. The public rollout is slated to be started early next year. Meanwhile, Google is shifting gears to streamline Android’s adoption across vendors.
In recent years, Samsung has significantly improved its software support. The majority of new phones come with at least six years of OS update support. The policy peaks up to 7 years on flagship devices starting the Galaxy S24 series.
Determining the Android 16’s eligibility for Galaxy isn’t a pretty difficult task. You will surely receive the update if your device is shipped with Android 14. It’s for entry-level phones, while for most there’s no concern for mid-range and flagships.
Samsung Android 16 Eligible Device List
Galaxy S Smartphones:
- Galaxy S22 Series
- Galaxy S23 Series
- Galaxy S24 Series
Galaxy Z Fold and Flip Phones:
- Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4
- Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5
- Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6
Galaxy S FE Phones:
- Galaxy S21 FE
- Galaxy S23 FE
- Galaxy S24 FE
Galaxy A Phones:
- Galaxy A33, A53 and A73
- Galaxy A14, A24, A34 and A54
- Galaxy A15, A25, A35 and A55
- Galaxy A06, A16
Galaxy Tab Tablets:
- Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8+ and Tab S8 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S10+ and Tab S10 Ultra
Note: This is not a final device list nor shared by Samsung. Based on the official software support promise, the above-listed Samsung phones and tablets will surely receive a major OS upgrade in the second half of 2025.
The listing of the S21 FE may have caught your attention due to missing the missing S21 series. For those shocking, the S21 series and S21 FE are eligible for four OS upgrades. The S21 FE launched with Android 12, while the S21 series with Android 11.
Android 16 is the thing of next year, we eagerly await the One UI 7 Beta along with covering the latest insights. The official rollout will commence after unveiling at the Galaxy Unpacked next year, which could fall in late January.