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Breaking: Samsung starts One UI 5.1 rollout to Galaxy Note 20 series
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra users are the latest recipient of the One UI 5.1 update. The update is initially released in South America, with users living in Argentina getting the opportunity to install it first.
This big software update installs a handful of new features as well as multiple improvements to enhance the users’ experience. In the meantime, it also carries the latest February 2023 Android security patch for system security enhancement.
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Software version:
Samsung is currently dispatching the One UI 5.1 update for the LTE version of Galaxy Note 20 customers, however, the 5G variants are expected to receive it very soon. You can identify the fresh update through the build version ending with HWAC.
One UI 5.1 features:
Samsung’s One UI 5.1 update carries a number of new features borrowed from the Galaxy S23 series that will surely provide you with a feel of a new Galaxy smartphone on your 2020’s Galaxy Note 20.
First of all, the changelog mentions easier access to the Expert RAW camera app as it is now discoverable and can be downloaded in Camera modes. At the same time, the company also provides you the ability to easily change color tone while taking selfies.
Samsung is further improving multi-tasking on your Galaxy phone as it provides additional functionalities to both pop-up and split-screen views. The Gallery app is also getting various notable changes – you can now extract text from videos, get more convenient information displays, and create quality GIFs using the GIF Remaster feature.
Other major changes can be seen in the Widgets sections. It offers a new Battery widget that shows you the battery status of your phone and other connected devices on the main screen itself. Whereas, the intuitive Weather widget provides a summary of the current weather condition.
On the other hand, the most awaited feature – Bixby Text Call is now available in the English language. Now you don’t have to pick up every call when you are busy, Bixby will talk at your place.
Aside from these, there are more new features and changes in Samsung Internet, AR Zone, Wallpaper section, Color Palette, Edge Panel, and other One UI apps and services.
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Samsung could launch Galaxy S25 Slim in limited quantities next year. The company is reportedly considering a slimmer S25 model ahead of a possible Galaxy S26 revamp. We previously heard S25 FE could be marketed as a Slim variant.
ETNews reports that Samsung is planning to launch a Slim mode under the Galaxy S25 series. The additional variant will feature a slimmer form factor. It could be introduced by the end of next year, keeping the S25 lineup intact.
Next year, Apple and Samsung could compete over Slim smartphones. Both phone makers are said to be working on a flagship model with Slim design. Samsung is said to be having different long-term goals leading it to launch an S25 Slim.
The Korean tech giant could test market response with the slim model. If the response is favorable, it may consider changes to the Galaxy S26 lineup in 2026, while falling short of expectations would help it design future flagships accordingly.
Multiple industry insiders stated, “Samsung recently added a ‘slim’ version to the Galaxy S25 lineup,” and “they plan to release it in small quantities to gauge market response, with the possibility of altering the lineup in 2026.”
Galaxy S25 Series
While a Slim is rumored to join the lineup, other models will remain intact. The company will launch Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra next year. The slimmer variant would be announced “a few months later” to gauge demand.
Apple iPhone 17 Air/Slim
Apple could launch a slim model instead of a Plus model in the iPhone 17 series. The slim variant is expected to be thinner and have a screen size of around 6.56 inches, slightly smaller than the current Plus (6.69 inches).
Samsung and Apple seemingly brought Slim phones to the table as a breakthrough, attracting attention to the competition. The Galaxy S25 Slim is expected to launch in the second quarter, and the Apple iPhone Slim in the third quarter.
Galaxy S24 and S23 series are seemingly One UI 7 Beta phase I devices in the US. Samsung could release the Beta Program after two weeks. But recently, Samsung published One UI 7 Beta forums on the US community for the Galaxy S24 and S23 series.
It has been discovered that Samsung has published the One UI 7 Beta forum for the Galaxy S24 and S23 series in the US. It’s a big development, hinting at the imminent Beta Program launch for the corresponding models in phase I.
Recently, tipster IceUniverse revealed that the Beta may take two more weeks before release. It seems Samsung has entered the final phase of testing. The company may finish testing Beta 1 of Galaxy S25 by mid-November.
The Galaxy S24 series will be the first to get One UI 7 Beta this year. Meanwhile, we could see a swift expansion, covering select older flagships such as the Galaxy S23 series. Recent foldable models would also enjoy the Beta experience.
Publishing a Beta forum isn’t a quite new development by Samsung. The company publishes respective landing pages on the community every year. The forums will keep Beta participants aware of the latest news and updates.
Recently, we revealed the possibility of One UI 7 Beta debut after November 21. Samsung will hold SDC24 Korea on the 21st, where it could also announce the Beta Program release or drop some good news about the same.
After Beta testing this year, the final version will be introduced early next year. The new software will debut alongside the Galaxy S25 series. We expect the flagship launch in January and the One UI 7 rollout to start in February next year.
Samsung announced its Q3 2024 earnings with consolidated sales of 79.1 trillion won ($57.2 billion) and an operating profit of 9.18 trillion won ($6.6 billion), down by 1.26 trillion won from the previous quarter.
The MX (Mobile) Division saw a 13% improvement from the previous quarter given the launch of new Galaxy phones. The DS (semiconductor) division grew 3% from the previous quarter due to an increase in high-end memory sales.
The Korean tech giant also revealed that sales increased by 7% QoQ, achieving record-high quarterly sales. Gross profit reached 30 trillion won, slightly up from the previous quarter due to the expansion of flagship sales in MX.
Samsung continued its active R&D investments, recording an all-time high of 8.87 trillion won in quarterly R&D expenses. DS Division’s one-time expenses were larger than the gap between Samsung’s operating profit and market consensus.
Key Details:
- Memory Business: Profits decreased due to a reduction in inventory evaluation recovery, one-time expenses like incentive provisioning, and currency impacts from a weaker dollar.
- System LSI: Sales increased through maximizing revenue and minimizing inventory, although performance declined due to increased one-time expenses.
- DX Division posted sales of 44.99 trillion won and an operating profit of 3.37 trillion won.
- VD posted increased sales and profit from both the previous quarter and the same period last year.
- Home appliances improved performance year-over-year.
Galaxy S25 Series
Apart from earnings results, Samsung confirmed the Galaxy S25 series will launch in the first half of next year. The company vowed to introduce an enhanced Galaxy AI experience for consumers to elevate their everyday tasks.
Official: Samsung Galaxy S25 to redefine everyday AI with bold new features