Samsung
Samsung One UI 6.0: 9 Betas released over 3 months
We eagerly await official news on One UI 7, which is highly expected during SDC today. The last year’s Beta Program was almost a roller coaster ride, literally. Here’s an overview of Samsung’s One UI 6.0 Beta Program that ran last year.
One UI 6 Beta, the opening
Samsung officially announced One UI 6.0 Beta in early August. The company removed the announcement post in a matter of time. The publish and remove happened twice before Samsung ultimately released the Beta on August 10.
The first phase of markets were South Korea, Germany, and the US. Samsung released One UI 6 Beta, based on Android 14, to Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra. In early September, the company opened Beta for another four markets.
Controversial One UI animations
As far as I know, One UI 6 Beta was the most criticized version in Samsung’s history. The first Beta was considered average, but things started going wrong with the second Beta. It was a time when Samsung had to solely focus on animations.
We heard about the arrival of non-linear animations after the second Beta release. The company deployed non-linear animations that could be interrupted. Samsung enthusiasts then started comparing the functioning with iOS and other Android skins.
Whopping 9 Beta releases
Samsung released a whopping 9 major Betas of One UI 6 software. Galaxy S23 users in Phase I markets received a total of 9 big updates during the activity. Additional hotfix firmware was also rolled out to address specific issues.
The One UI 6 Beta started in early August, and Beta 9 was released in late October. Samsung pushed Stable update at the end of October for the Galaxy S23 series. All compatible phones and tablets started getting the new software within 2023.
One UI 7 – Lots of chaos
Samsung neither released nor teased One UI 7 Beta. Also, we haven’t spotted the Beta build on Samsung’s software server. The long-standing delay could probably end today as Samsung scheduled Sally’s keynote to discuss One UI.
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.