Opinion
Opinion: My Samsung Galaxy Note 9 deserves Android 11/One UI 3.0 update
Samsung is currently testing the beta for Android 11 based One UI 3.0 and preparing to release the stable version for the eligible Galaxy devices. Initially, the One UI 3.0 beta program was started with the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 devices, and later more smartphones added to the list including Galaxy S10, Note 10, Galaxy Z Fold 2, and Galaxy Z Flip.
The Android 11 based One UI 3.0 adds many changes with the brand new Home screen and quick panel user interface. It also brings a boost to the performance of the device for quickly opening apps while spending less power on tasks.
As we know that the Galaxy Note 10 devices are also listed to get the One UI 3.0 update but what about some other older flagship? Yes, I am here to talk about my Galaxy Note 9.
Many Galaxy Note 9 users have been wondering if they will get the chance to experience the One UI 3.0 update or not. The answer to this question is ‘No’ and as a proud user of Note 9, it makes me disappointed.
As per the latest updates policy of Samsung, the Galaxy Note 9 smartphones have already received two major upgrades and are no longer eligible to get another major update in the future. Although, these devices will still get monthly security improvements for a longer time.
Here’s why the Galaxy Note 9 deserve Android 11/One UI 3.0
Samsung released the Galaxy Note 9 as a premium device and this phone has many high-end features with added S-Pen functionality. It comes with a powerful octa-core processor, a super smooth Dynamic AMOLED display, a superior camera, and much more.
Adding to this, the Galaxy Note 9 was a popular smartphone launched in August 2018 and was also awarded as the ‘best smartphone of the year’ by Consumer Report. Despite being one of the popular and premium smartphones, Samsung limits this device for further major upgrades.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 comes with pre-installed Android 8 Oreo and has only received two major Android upgrades including Android 9 Pie and Android 10. Just recently it is updated to the latest One UI 2.5.
The recent One UI 2.5 update added many new features to the Galaxy Note 9 smartphone such as Samsung DeX support, new Keyboard features, support for bitmoji stickers on Always-on display, and more. But from now we will not see new changes in these devices that will be coming with the Android 11 based One UI 3.0 update.
With the launch of the Galaxy Note 20 series, Samsung confirmed that Samsung flagship smartphones, launched with Android 9, will receive Android update up to Android 11 but it would be so nice if Samsung has made this policy for the device that was launched with Android 8, like my still too excellent Galaxy Note 9.
In my opinion, running on an octa-core processor and coming at such a price point, the users of the Galaxy Note 9 deserve to get one more update and Samsung would have considered these devices for the Android 11/One UI 3.0 update.
What are your views on this, does the Galaxy Note 9 deserve the Android 11/One UI 3.0 update? Let us know in the comments below.
When it comes to Android updates, Samsung is leading the Android world. However, this could be the last day of Samsung’s leadership as Google is expected to double up its current Android updates support for Pixel smartphones launching today.
2020 was a remarkable year in Samsung’s history when the company extended Android updates support from two years to three. A few months later, the company extended the security support as well, totaling it to four years for flagship Galaxy devices.
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In 2022, Samsung launched the Galaxy S22 series, which offers four generations of OS upgrades. In its announcement, the company listed all flagships launched in 2021 and later along with select Galaxy A series smartphones for 4 OS and 5 years of security patches.
With this decision, the South Korean tech giant surpassed Google’s support policy, which owns Android. To be noted, Tensor-powered Pixel smartphones come with three years of Android and five years of monthly security updates support.
Today, Google will launch the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. And as per the leaks, both phones will offer up to 7 years of software support, surpassing the longest support provided by Apple to its iPhones. Pixel 8 and later might be eligible for 7 major OS upgrades, which sounds a bit confusing.
There are speculations that there will be five major OS versions and 7 years of regular security patches and quarterly Pixel Feature Drops for the latest flagship smartphones. If it happens, it will force other Android vendors to further extend their support.
While Pixel phones are limited to support 3 major OS versions, Samsung is offering 4 generations of OS upgrades to cheaper Galaxy devices that costs approx $249. Samsung won’t take too long to beat Google yet again in terms of software support.
Let’s see, what Google has to offer to the Android world!
After One UI 5.1, we started hearing a lot of news, leaks, and rumors about the upcoming One UI 6. Recently, Samsung has also started releasing One UI 6.0 support for stock apps, starting with the Calculator app.
Looking at all this, we can expect that Samsung will provide this support to more apps in the future too. But the question is, why is Samsung providing One UI 6.0 support to its stocks apps before the official release? If you are thinking that by getting their support, you will get some new features in your apps, then it is not only the reason.
Samsung One UI 6.0 support can also bring new features for apps, but the main reason for this is something else. But what? The answer is that Samsung is going to release a new One UI update in the coming weeks or months and the company aims to make its stock apps compatible with that accordingly. Once the app is supported, the app will not stop working or get crash whenever the company releases that update for the smartphone.
A recent report revealed that Samsung’s stable Android 14 update will be available in October. This is the same time frame as last year’s UI rollout, with the latest Galaxy S lineup being the first to secure it. Meanwhile, beta activity is seeing an early start if everything goes as planned by the internals.
Still, for the time being, we can consider this information as a pinch of salt as the company has not yet announced any official timeline for One UI 6.0.
Samsung confirms One UI 6 and Good Lock features finding underway
Nowadays, smartphones are being heavily used for gaming and photography. Accordingly, phone makers are focussing more and more on upgrading the imaging capabilities and performance of chipsets. So why not, Samsung should now bring battery upgrade to Galaxy flagships.
Battery upgrade should be the next aim
The recently launched Galaxy S23 Ultra brings a high-profile 200-megapixel camera, allowing users to capture lossless shots, even when cropped. With great collaboration between hardware and software, the new Samsung flagships offer peace of mind to consumers, when it comes to battery life.
In addition to camera lovers, people prefer buying a smartphone, which offers great battery life without compromising features and power specifications. In the same way, Samsung is reportedly working, and there’s still room for improvements in flagships battery life.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra could come with a new battery technology inspired by electronic vehicles. The company is considering stacked battery technology for smartphones, which will reduce the size keeping the same mAh and enhanced lifespan.
Since the stacked battery tech could leave more gap inside the phone, Samsung might not think about increasing mAh on flagship phones. Instead, the company may use an additional vacant area for upgrading other hardware elements and better placement.
The S23 Ultra even defeated the years-old leader iPhone in terms of battery performance, thanks to the “Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy” processor. Exynos 2400 is reportedly coming to the S24 series in certain markets, which re-creates concern about the phone’s battery life and performance.
That said, Samsung should focus on increasing premium Galaxy phones’ battery life so users can use them longer with a single charge. 45W fast charging is doing quite well, just improvements to battery life would prove as cherry on the cake.
What do you think about it, do share your thoughts with us through the Tweet embedded below.
Vote here: https://t.co/tOfPTuWKX7
— Sammy Fans (@thesammyfans) May 5, 2023
Poll Results: May 12, 2023
We ran a poll that received 106 votes from our readers’ community. Among all, about 70 percent of readers voted in favor of a battery upgrade instead of the camera, while 23.6 percent want both upgrades together. Meanwhile, 6.6 percent of voters still want Samsung to focus on flagship camera upgrade.
Instead of Camera, Samsung should bring battery upgrade to flagships #Samsung
— Sammy Fans (@thesammyfans) May 5, 2023