Opinion
Should Samsung introduce One UI 4.5?
Samsung One UI 4.1 is the most recent entry in the Galaxy ecosystem, which is a minor improved variant of the One UI 4.0, based on Android 12. On each version of the Android OS, the company had introduced a total of 3 iterations of its One UI including One UI x.0, One UI .1 and One UI x.5, until 2022.
While the x.0 version is a major upgrade that happens alongside the Android switch, the x.1 comes pre-loaded with the new Galaxy S phones and x.5 with new Galaxy Note phones. Everyone knows, Samsung killed the Galaxy Note line with the launch of Note 20 series in 2020.
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Samsung One UI 4.5
The company’s decision ditched the x.5 variant of the One UI as well, meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 debuted a very new 3.1.1 version instead. At the MWC 2022, Samsung officially confirmed that the Galaxy Note series is no more, while the Ultra variant of Galaxy S series will continue its legacy.
So, should Samsung introduce One UI 4.5 with future Fold?
- Personally, I don’t want to see the 4.5 generation of the One UI.
Reason — If Samsung introduces the One UI 4.5 with the anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 4 foldable smartphone, it will also be rolled out to the current Galaxy phones upgraded to the Android 12. As the company is likely to launch new foldables in August 2022, the One UI 4.5 rollout will critically delay Android 13 adoption.
One UI 3.1.1 boosted Android 12 deployment
It’s worth mentioning that the company unveiled the One UI 3.1.1 instead of the expected One UI 3.5, based on Android 11. Well, various Galaxy devices have received the so-called One UI 3.1.1 update on other phones too but the version number didn’t change on phones having bar form factor.
This move helped Samsung to start its Android 11 OS adoption plan early for the Galaxy S21 series devices. Even, it was the first time when the Korean tech giant started deploying the stable Android 11 update, just a month after the Android maker.
In my opinion, Samsung shouldn’t introduce any new iteration of the One UI, while should focus on the next Android OS – Android 13 as Google has already started the Developer Preview. What do you think about it? We are waiting for your precious thoughts through comments.
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.
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Should Samsung & Google embark on this stunning journey?#Samsung #Android #OneUI pic.twitter.com/HT2S5xfzfV
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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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