Android
Samsung reiterates 4 major Android/One UI updates and 5 years of software support
Raised back in February 2022, Samsung’s excellent software support joined three more entries yesterday. The Galaxy S23 smartphones are the latest Samsung devices that are eligible for 4 major Android plus One UI updates and 5 years of security patches.
Last year, the South Korean tech giant announced that premium Galaxy devices launched after the Galaxy S21 series will be eligible for extended software support. It naturally makes the Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra eligible for 4 Android OS and 5 years of patch updates.
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With extended software and security update support, Samsung reiterated its commitment to delivering the most up-to-date and more secure mobile experience possible for users. During the Galaxy Note 20 release, the company extended its OS support from 2 to 3, applicable to the Galaxy S10 series.
Apart from the Galaxy S series, the Galaxy Z series and select models of the Galaxy A series are also listed in this 4 Android upgrades guarantee. Still, the company is closely working with partners such as Google and Qualcomm to deliver faster Android OS upgrades through One UI.
At present, Samsung’s excellent software promise consists of various Galaxy models including the Galaxy S23 series (S23 Ultra/S23+/S23), Galaxy S22 series (S22/S22+/S22 Ultra), S21 series (S21/S21+/S21 Ultra/S21 FE), Z Fold4, Z Flip4, Z Fold3, Z Flip3 and Tab S8 series (Tab S8/Tab S8+/Tab S8 Ultra).
Aside from this, the Korean tech giant is committed to providing up to five years of security updates to help protect eligible Galaxy devices. Secured by Samsung Knox, Galaxy devices’ security update ensures end-to-end protection against potential security threats.
Talking about rivals, OnePlus and OPPO have promised to deliver four years of Android updates to flagships launched in 2023 in addition to Samsung-like five years of security patches. On the flip side, Google is still stuck on three OS upgrades for Pixel phones, which could be extended this year.
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.
Google just detailed Android’s September 2024 System update. It will arrive on countless Android devices, bringing new features and improvements. Samsung Galaxy devices should start getting it immediately after the rollout begins.
The September 2024 System update is applicable on Play Services and Play Store. Developer Services reported having a bug, which is getting fixed. Wallet users in Japan will be able to use JCB Contactless payment methods.
The release adds a new feature that guides you on using Quick Share. The sharing platform is also enhancing with the addition of a new flow for file receiving page. The Quick Share will also add UI tweaks that you will observe when you receive files.
Google Play services v24.34
Developer Services
- [Phone] Bug fixes for Developer Services related services.
Device Connectivity
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll get instructions on how to use Quick Share.
- [Phone] With updates to Quick Share, you’ll get a new flow when you receive files.
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll get UI updates when you receive files through Quick Share.
Wallet
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll be able to use JCB Contactless payment methods in Japan.
Apart from Play Services, Google also detailed changes coming to the Play Store. Unlike the Play Services, these improvements and new features are applicable across devices including PC (ChromeOS), Android phones, and TVs (Android).
Google Play Store v42.6
- [PC, Phone, TV] With improvements to Google Play Protect, you’ll get protection from more harmful apps.
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll be able to see your Play Points status at the top of the App Details page.
- [Auto] When you open the Play Store sign-in page for Android Auto, you’ll see a banner image with app icons that explains the benefits of Play Store.
Not all Samsung devices will be eligible for the upcoming Android 15-based One UI 7 update. It’s expected to come with many new features and improvements. Some older and lower-end models of the Galaxy A, M, and F series have reached the end of life.
Samsung is famous for its excellent after-sales service and software support. The company announced that it will provide up to 7 years of major OS upgrades and security updates for its flagship devices, starting with the Galaxy S24 series.
This will allow Samsung users to enjoy the latest features and security enhancements for a long time. However, these devices will still receive security patches for another year, but they will miss out on the new features and benefits of One UI 7.
Samsung Android 15 One UI 7 Ineligible Device List
The following is the list of Samsung devices that will not get the Android 15 One UI 7 update:
Galaxy A series
- Galaxy A04s
- Galaxy A13
- Galaxy A23
- Galaxy A72
- Galaxy A52
- Galaxy A52 5G
- Galaxy A52s
Galaxy M series
- Galaxy M53 5G
- Galaxy M33 5G
- Galaxy M23
Galaxy F series
- Galaxy F23
If you own any of these devices, you may want to consider upgrading to a newer model that will support One UI 7 and beyond.
Note: The list is compiled on software update policy and previous rollouts.
Samsung is internally working on the Android 15 One UI 7.0 update. Dozens of Galaxy devices are eligible for this major upgrade, forming a pretty big rollout later this year. However, SDC24 is set to be held on October 3, when One UI 7 could go official.