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Samsung's October 2021 patch is out for Verizon's Galaxy S10 and Note10 series
Plus a whole bunch of last-gen foldables
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Samsung got an early start on delivering October's security patch internationally, delivering it to users before September had even drawn to a close. As usual, US-based devices are following about a week behind — not too shabby, considering Pixel owners only just got the update on Monday. As October carries on, more Samsung phones are receiving their stateside updates.
Samsung's got no more security updates planned for the Galaxy Note8
And there's new update schedules for some Galaxy A, M, and Tab models
The Samsung Galaxy Note8 had an excellent run. After the colossal exploding battery disaster that the Note7 represented in 2016, Samsung was looking for something that was good enough to not only clean up the Note brand but also become a sales success — and Samsung delivered. But all good things must come to an end, and for the Galaxy Note8, that time has come. It has officially reached end of life.
OxygenOS 12 Open Beta is now live for OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro users
A fresh look, improved dark mode, and updates to Shelf, Canvas, and more
Android 12 is finally here — even if it’s not out for Pixel devices just yet — which means the countdown for companies not named Google to update their devices is on. We’ve seen Samsung open up its One UI 4 beta program earlier than expected, and now it’s OnePlus’s turn. Building off its OxygenOS 12 developer previews, today’s Open Beta build gives OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro users the chance to test out some new features and enhancements alongside Android 12.
Samsung's latest foldables are getting the September 2021 security patch internationally
The September patch is also available for a plethora of phones and tablets including the S21 series
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Samsung is staying true to tradition this week as it releases the September 2021 security patch before any other company, in some cases before August had even finished. This update includes a new version of One UI for the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Flip 5G, bringing features from the new Z Flip3 to the older devices internationally.
Digital car key support for the Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra is finally coming
But only in South Korea for now
There's a good chance your smartphone has already replaced your wallet — I rarely pull out my debit card when making a purchase anymore — and it's coming for your car keys next. In January, Samsung announced its "digital key" feature alongside the Galaxy S21 for any UWB-equipped smartphone, but we haven't heard much about it since. With October's security update now arriving, the company has finally returned with some integration.
Samsung's September 2021 update arrives in the US for more Galaxy Z Flip users
The update is also out for several other phones including the unlocked Note10 series
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Samsung started updating its international devices with the September security patch just as August came to a close. Now it's time for customers in the US to get in on the action, as the unlocked Galaxy S20 and S21 begin to receive the September 2021 security update for themselves.
OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro get the new Hasselblad XPan shooting mode in Oxygen OS 11.2.9.9
The update includes several other camera tweaks, 'optimized wireless charging,' and Android's September security patch
We saw it earlier this week, now you can try it out for yourself. The latest software update for the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro just went live, and it's packing the new Hasselblad XPan shooting mode. This camera setting allows the phones' cameras to emulate a famously cool ultra-wide-angle camera in both the photo's aspect ratio and the camera's software interface.
We went hands-on with the OnePlus 9's new Hasselblad XPan Mode
A fun new mode, but does it supercharge the OnePlus 9's camera experience?
OnePlus has just released OxygenOS 11.2.9.9 to the OnePlus 9 series, and the update is packed with new camera features. In the spirit of OnePlus' collaboration with Hasselblad, the two companies have recreated a ton of features known from the classic Hasselblad XPan film camera for a vintage shooting experience, including an interface based on the camera's viewfinder.
Samsung's Android 12-based One UI 4 beta finally lets you use icon packs — here's everything new so far
Icon pack support has been added via Good Lock
If you're rocking a Galaxy S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra, and you want to check out the latest software goodies that Samsung is brewing up, you'll want to get involved with the One UI beta program. Version 4.0 is out to beta testers in the program today, and it has quite a few new changes. Chief among them, at least for owners in the United States, is support for eSIM cards, although this feature isn't working just yet. The feature was available previously in other countries and territories (as well as for the T-Mobile Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra).
Older Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip phones get new features in the latest update
The update is also available for the Galaxy S21 and A52 5G
Samsung released One UI 3.1.1 alongside the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Z Fold3, adding plenty of upgrades for its foldable lineup, like enhanced flex mode, drag and split, and the new taskbar. Thankfully One UI 3.1.1 is now available for all of Samsung's folding handsets, past and present, with some behind-the-scenes optimizations also making their way to Samsung's more conventional smartphones.
Galaxy Watch4 update fixes a touch bezel bug, leaves a notification bug intact
Along with 'improved system stability and reliability'
The new Wear OS-powered Galaxy Watch4 comes in two versions: the Classic, with a physical rotating bezel for easily navigating menus, and the non-Classic, which does the same thing with a touch-sensitive edge on its round screen. Samsung's latest software update addresses the latter, as some users were complaining of scrolling issues. It's available to download right now.
Xiaomi's new commitment to security updates is somehow even better than Google's
Three major Android updates and four years of security updates coming to the Xiaomi 11T series
Xiaomi has made a name for itself thanks to its smartphone's excellent bang-for-the-buck ratio. But where there's light, there's shadow, and Xiaomi devices are usually among those that see the fewest Android version upgrades. That's about to change for the company's upcoming new flagship phones, to be announced September 15. Xiaomi has just shared that the 11T and the 11T Pro will get three generations of Android upgrades and four years of security patches, stepping right up to Samsung's recent commitment.
The Pixel September security update is here, including the first round for the Pixel 5a
A few critical security patches, but nothing user-facing
It's that time again, every* Pixel owner's favorite day of the month: security patch day! Updates for the Pixel 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4, 4 XL, 4a, 5a 5G, and the Pixel 5 should all be heading out via over-the-air update over the next few days. And since there's a (sort of) new Pixel on the block, let's all welcome the Pixel 5a to its first monthly security patch.
The latest OxygenOS Beta for the OnePlus Nord includes Ambient Display tweaks
You can watch a little cartoon of yourself! Woo!
OnePlus Nord owners who are part of the company's open beta program should check their phones now: there's a new update headed down the pipe. It's not amazing in terms of content; the biggest practical addition is that the Android security patch is bumped up to August. But there's some big stuff in there if you really like the always-on display.
Germany wants to extend your smartphone's lifespan with seven years of security patches
One less reason to replace your phone, but it could just be politics at play
When it comes to smartphones, we all wish updates arrived faster and for more extended periods of time. As performance continues to improve with each passing year, upgrading to a new phone every two or three years can start to feel like an unnecessary expense. It's also an environmental concern, as many try to reduce waste created from constantly replacing gadgets. To that end, the German government has proposed a new policy that would extend the lifespan — and repairability — of your device for years to come.
Samsung's August 2021 update arrives for the Galaxy S10 series and the Galaxy S20 on T-Mobile
Just in time for September's update
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Every month Samsung continues to impress with its commitment to timely security updates. Right now, the August 2021 security patch is rolling out to a number of high-profile Galaxy phones in the US, less than a week behind international models.So far the update is available for the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra on all three major carriers, as well as the unlocked S20 and Note20 series and several A-series phones. It contains the usual bug fixes and security improvements. We'll keep this post updated as other phones receive the August patch.
The first Google Pixel Buds A-series update fixes a volume bug
It was still a good idea to clean your ears
Google did a damn good job of keeping most features of the 2020 Pixel Buds but drastically reducing the price of the Pixel Buds A-series. They still sound pretty good, are quite comfortable to wear, and...still have some static. While a new update is not fixing that, it's getting rid of a pesky volume bug.
The latest updates for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series include a bunch of bloatware and not much else
At least August's security patch is here
OnePlus doesn't have the best reputation for software updates, though a recent re-commitment seems to have things moving a little faster than before. Just over a month after the company (sort of) fixed HD playback issues on its 2019 flagships, it's returned with yet another refresh. The OnePlus 7 and 7T series are both receiving updates today, though this one may rub some salt into the wounds of owners everywhere.
Samsung's Galaxy A51 is receiving the August 2021 security patch internationally
It's also available for the Tab A7 LTE and several A series phones
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Samsung's July patch is rolling out to the international Galaxy Tab S6 Lite — here are all the updated devices
The update is also available for a number of A-series phones
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Samsung has consistently been ahead of the curve with security updates this year, and that continues now as the July 2021 patch hits the Galaxy devices series internationally. As the month rolls on, we're seeing it hit more and more devices.