Android
Android 13 could mandate Samsung to offer Seamless Updates, starting with Galaxy S23
With the release of Android 7.0 Nougat, Google introduced the Seamless Updates feature on Pixel devices. The functionality lets your handset download and install a new OTA update to a secondary partition so you can seamlessly use your phone. At the same time, changes can be applied with just a tiny duration restart.
Samsung, on the other hand, leading the global smartphone market, has not yet adopted the Seamless Updates method on Galaxy devices. However, recent reports suggest that the Galaxy S23 could offer ‘Seamless Updates’ support out of the box, as Google is making it mandatory for devices launching with Android 13.
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According to the information discovered by Esper’s MishaalRahman, Google has reduced the storage requirements for Seamless Updates through the implementation of a virtual A/B partition. Accordingly, the company will mandate vendors offer Seamless Updates on devices launching with Android 13.
Finally! New devices launching with Android 13 MUST support virtual A/B, meaning it's all but guaranteed they'll also support Seamless Updates!
Will the Galaxy S23 be Samsung's first device to finally support Seamless Updates? 👀
Full details here: https://t.co/yWZauBNF2L
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) September 21, 2022
For Samsung, the Galaxy S23 will be the first handset to be packed with Android 13 out of the box. Therefore, we can assume that the upcoming flagship line will become the first Samsung devices to introduce the A/B partition-based Seamless Updates feature.
While stock Android phones got the support of Seamless Updates years ago, Google pushed other vendors to adopt this futuristic yet user-friendly functionality with Android 11. Due to several difficulties including internal storage concerns, Samsung has also skipped the adoption.
Samsung guarantees 4 years of Android OS and 5 years of security updates to Galaxy devices. Meanwhile, Google is about to match Apple’s iOS support of 7 years of OS updates, starting with the Pixel 8 series, which Samsung must replicate for Galaxy devices.
In a recent development, a leaked Pixel 8 series specifications sheet revealed that Google will pledge 7 years of Android OS and security updates. It’s about to be the same as Apple does with all of its iPhone models, beating the Samsung software policy by a big margin.
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Samsung has a big lead in the smartphone market, thanks to its longer software support. Meanwhile, Google’s tentative announcement will make a big impact on the Galaxy maker’s policy. And to maintain consumer satisfaction, the Korean tech giant must replicate Google.
Google Pixel phones currently offer three generations of OS upgrades and five years of security patches. Samsung, on the other hand, has a wide range of Galaxy devices eligible for 4 OS plus 5 years of security updates. However, Apple’s iPhones get up to 7 years of major iOS upgrades.
The US tech giant will launch the Pixel 8 series on October 4. If it has plans to extend software support, the announcement will be done during the launch. It will be interesting to see if the company includes older Tensor-powered smartphones in new support plan.
Since the Pixel 6 series, Google is bringing a self-designed Tensor chipset, equipped with AI capabilities and machine learning. The Tensor G3 is based on Exynos and is being manufactured by Samsung, with Google plans to switch to TSMC in the next few years.
As the technology is growing such faster, it’s hard to keep a phone for 7 years, as the manufacturer believes. However, Pixel users will continue to rock with their smartphone, as Google could pledge 7 OS upgrades, that will arrive with new features and enhancements.
Android 14
Samsung’s One UI 6.0 Update: Galaxy S20, Note 20, and More Left Behind, New Options for Android Enthusiasts
Android 14 will soon start to roll out for Google Pixel phones. Samsung, on the other hand, started the One UI 6.0 Beta Program for Galaxy S23 series in August 2023. Samsung consumers have high expectations with the One UI 6.0 update, but many Galaxy devices are no longer supported.
Samsung should have pledged the Android 14 update for Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series, but it didn’t. It leads the Galaxy S20 FE to ineligibility for the next major update. Launched pre-installed with Android 10, the S20, Note 20 and S20 FE devices are no longer eligible for any major upgrade.
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The popular Galaxy A series phones – Galaxy A51 and A71 have also finished their OS upgrade eligibility with the Android 13-based One UI 5.0. Now, the Korean tech giant focuses more on affordable phones, with the Galaxy A24 as a recent example, which will get 4 OS upgrades.
The 2nd generation Galaxy Z Fold smartphone was also eligible for three major updates. The company had released it with Android 10-based One UI 2.5, which means, it has also completed its big OTA lifespan with Android 13. You can check One UI 6.0 unsupported devices in the list below.
- Galaxy S20 Series
- Galaxy Note 20 Series
- Galaxy S20 FE (LTE/5G)
- Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G
- Galaxy A71 & Galaxy A51
How to get One UI 6
To experience the next Samsung mobile OS, you need to purchase a new Galaxy phone. There are a lot of sticking options, offering you a longer software lifespan across categories from budget to premium. Check the quick guide below, which embeds phones with great software support.
- Premium – Galaxy S23 series
- Bonus Tip – Galaxy S21 FE (flagship phone with affordability)
- Mid-range – Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34
- Budget – Galaxy A24
Earlier this year, Google started working on the new Android 14 operating system, with the Stable and AOSP release likely in October 2023. Samsung started its Android 14-based One UI 6 Beta testing on select Galaxy smartphones in the recent past.
Several Samsung devices are eligible for the Android 14-based One UI 6 upgrade. And thanks to the company’s software rollout history, it’s easy to figure out which Galaxy phones will be the first to receive the One UI 6 firmware update this year.
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Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series is first in line to receive the new One UI 6 update as soon as the official unveiling happens at SDC 2023, sometime in October. However, the S23 series and more models will be invited to Beta activity to test the OS before release.
Android 14 (One UI 6) update will first rollout to these Samsung Galaxy devices
- Galaxy S23 Series
- S23, S23 Plus and S23 Ultra
- Galaxy S22 Series
- S22, S22 Plus and S22 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 Series [Uncertain]
- S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold Series
- Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4
- Galaxy Z Flip Series
- Z Flip 5 and Z Flip 4
In the list we mentioned above, there’s an exclusivity of flagship devices, why not? The South Korean tech giant will first roll out the Android 14 to newer flagships, followed by older flagship models and mid-range ones. Along with them, select budget models will also join the party with new updates.
Congrats if you have an eligible Galaxy S or Galaxy Z series smartphone for One UI 6.0 software. Samsung will let you install the new OS, starting from August 2023, if it follows the same timeframe as the last year. You can check all One UI 6.0 eligible devices here.