Opinion
Samsung breaks the barrier of Android software rollout
Excellent Galaxy phones aside, Samsung’s incredible software mechanism makes it way better than Google. Samsung managed to greatly adopt Android 13 software for Galaxy by achieving a one-day rollout of One UI 5.0. And it’s not ended yet as Samsung just did the same with One UI 5.1.
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Without any kind of Beta testing or Early access activity, Samsung deployed One UI 5.1 to a number of Galaxy devices. It’s the second time, Samsung recreated Google’s Android 13 firmware to make user experiences epic for Galaxy users.
The new One UI 5.1 software debuted along with the company’s Galaxy S23 flagship series. It impressively enhances the overall user experience (system animation, visual effects) and brings fruitful new features such as dynamic weather widgets, Bixby Text Call, and battery status widgets.
One UI 5.0 stood amazing and Samsung Galaxy users got another epic software ahead of the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 (tentative name). By giving additional new features on the same Android version twice, Samsung just broke the barrier of the Android software rollout.
One UI 5.1 is here with some epic stuff!
Google just gives a single Android operating system every year, at the same time, Samsung is introducing three One UI generations. That way, Galaxy users get major improvements as well as new features almost three times a year, oh yes, the One UI 5.1.1 will release also!
In the Android market, Samsung’s rivals except for Google still continue that conventional software rollout strategy. Meanwhile, the Korean tech giant has greatly enhanced its software deployment mechanisms with Android 13 as One UI 5.1 is a most recent example.
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Samsung took less than two weeks to share the Galaxy S23’s exclusive software with already-sold devices. The Galaxy S23 series was unveiled on February 1st, whereas the One UI 5.1 distribution has begun for a lot of Galaxies on February 13.
Are you impressed with the One UI 5.1 rollout?
Android 14 to release faster
Last year, Samsung revealed that it’s strengthening collaboration with industry giants and partners to boost Android adoption and distribution. This statement came after the Android 13 rollout completion for Galaxy devices, suggesting the massive release of Android 14 this year.
Samsung is the biggest player in the Android market, which has a close collaboration with Google across technology sharing and R&D on artificial intelligence. The company takes solid advantage of its market presence to expand the Android operating system every year.
Quick Flashback
When it comes to security patches, Samsung beats Google every month, with the fastest deployment. It’s been two years since I’m seeing Galaxy devices getting new patches even ahead of the beginning of the month and almost a week ahead of Pixel smartphones.
For the Android OS, Samsung was the first to raise the bar of software updates to four OS on select Galaxy devices. Later, the same strategy was copied by select Chinese phone vendors, as part of the trial of their luck to gather a large portion of the market, compared to the existing.
Samsung’s relationship with Google is rock solid. Both companies collaborate on different products to benefit their consumer base. Is it the right time for Samsung to develop a Galaxy-dedicated OS or at least Android for Galaxy?
Google worked with Samsung to optimize Android for foldables and tablets. The company had even launched Android 12L, a version dedicated to large-screen devices. Now, Samsung should work with Google to optimize Android for Galaxy devices.
Samsung flagships are equipped with pro-grade hardware specifications. The company manages to optimize the One UI software accordingly. Meanwhile, there are still a lot of areas, that require significant improvements.
Benefits of Android for Galaxy
Samsung fine-tunes Android for Galaxy products. Meanwhile, Android for Galaxy will make things a lot better, eventually benefitting end users. It shouldn’t be the Tizen approach, but a collaborative progress.
Android optimized for Galaxy devices should allow users to enjoy the power and personalization of the OS. Its optimization level for Galaxy devices will offer faster app launches, performance improvements, and longer battery life.
Samsung owns Exynos, Galaxy AI, Good Lock, and a lot of stunning services. A combined approach can significantly uplevel the user experience. Functional capabilities would also be boosted, taking Galaxy’s experience to a whole new level.
Difficulties
Android’s presence is vast. It’s available across different brands including Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, and so on. Samsung is unquestionably the biggest Android vendor but Google could find it difficult to optimize Android for all Galaxies.
The Korean tech giant itself tests and deploys security updates on Galaxy devices. Various applications are already available with better features than Google services such as the Internet. Even Google takes inspiration from Galaxies to develop features for Pixel phones.
Samsung not only has flagship phones, but also brings budget, mid-range, and premium mid-range phones. These products use different hardware such as camera and processor, requiring a need for unified software. Just a collective approach is required to end all kinds of difficulties.
"Android for Galaxy" ❤️
Should Samsung & Google embark on this stunning journey?#Samsung #Android #OneUI pic.twitter.com/HT2S5xfzfV
— Sammy Fans – We ♥ Samsung! (@thesammyfans) August 29, 2024
Google’s Pixel 9 series is official with pretty new AI stuff. The most notable thing that changed with this year’s Pixel phones is the Android installation. I guess, Google took a sip of poison to push Samsung Galaxy’s Android OS superiority further.
Pixel 9 series comes with Android 14, rather than the latest OS. Pixel 8 series and later devices are supported by seven years of OS updates. However, the Pixel 9 will get one less Android upgrade than that it deserves to have.
Google’s decision puts the Pixel 9 together with last year’s Pixel 8 series. Both lineups will end their major upgrade life at Android 21. Well, Pixel phones are neither durable nor Google provides satisfactory support, so don’t expect more than 1 year of service.
The decision, however, aligns with Samsung’s superiority, let’s decode.
The Galaxy S25 series will be the first (imp) to come with Android 15 pre-installed. You can guess how things have been decided by downgrading the Pixel 9 lineup. As a Samsung fan, I always wanted H2 Galaxy products to come with the latest OS.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 also come with Android 14. The OS was released in October last year and is still arriving pre-installed. Google ultimately filled the OS gap between Galaxy foldables and Pixel phones at a cost of Pixel downgrade.
Android 15 might be released on the official channel in October as last year. Eligible Pixel phones will start getting the major firmware update. Samsung is also expected to begin the One UI 7 update rollout for Galaxy models by the end of October.
In the first phase, Samsung’s Android 15 will arrive on flagship phones. However, the Korean tech giant won’t make other users wait much. The One UI 7 update rollout may begin for all eligible Galaxy models before 2024 ends.
Samsung replicated Google’s promise of Android updates, but the plus point is that mid-range and budget Galaxy phones are eligible for at least four major OS upgrades. The upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 will also be honored with 7 major Android updates.
The Korean tech giant offers the longest software update support in the Android industry. Google’s OS update promise starts from the Pixel 8 series. While mid-range and budget Samsung phones get four Android updates, the premium Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 will get 7.
Earlier this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 series smartphones. The lineup is guaranteed for at least seven OS upgrades. The strategy was earlier expected to be applied to Galaxy A55, but the company kept it limited to the flagship phones.
Samsung doesn’t officially consider Galaxy Z as flagship lineup, but it’s the most premium segment. All the novelties that Galaxy S receives also come to foldable phones. Therefore, it’s certain that the company will support its upcoming Galaxy Z phones for 7 years.
Will they survive 7 years?
Sporting a foldable display entirely ends the discussion of longevity. Besides, the pre-applied screen protection film starts to damage within a year of normal usage. Samsung’s innovative foldables are available internationally but support isn’t.
Samsung Care+ plan is also offered by the phone maker for additional protection. However, it still requires the owner to pay the processing fee, which isn’t considerable. Also, the Care+ plan doesn’t cover the Samsung-slapped screen protector film.
So if the Korean phone maker is willing for longer software support, it should rather offer a two-year replacement guarantee on manufacture defects. It would push consumers to prefer foldable phones as they won’t have to worry about display concerns.
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