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Samsung blesses Galaxy S20 and Note 20 devices with stable Android 13
This makes eight phones on One UI 5 in one day
We're on a schedule now. Well, at least Samsung is with Android 13: dozens of Galaxy phones across the globe are due to receive One UI 5 in the coming months. News came earlier this morning that Galaxy S21 series devices were getting the bump, but we're now getting word that the S20 and Note 20 phones are in the bag.
Samsung's advanced Expert RAW camera app will support these Galaxy phones
Support for up to 2 generations back on the Ultra models
Samsung has gained favor among smartphone photographers with the addition of the Expert RAW app to its Galaxy S21 Ultra, introducing some advanced features that exceed the capabilities of Pro Mode in the standard Camera app. While the Galaxy S22 announcement confirmed every model in the lineup would receive the app at launch, a Samsung forum moderator revealed Expert RAW would be supported on more devices. Just as the S22 is shipping to customers, Samsung has formalized the list of phones and dates they’ll receive official support for the latest Expert RAW app.
Android 12 is now landing on all Samsung Galaxy S20 devices in the US
Over three weeks after the Verizon rollout began
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Samsung has been aggressive in rolling out One UI 4.0 (and, as such, Android 12) to its phones and the Galaxy S20 series of devices have been no exception. A beta program rolled out in November while the stable, global OTA came just before the new year. Now, it's live for all US-based S20 devices, regardless of carrier.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Samsung's July 2021 update is coming to the Galaxy S20 on Verizon
The update is also available for the Verizon Z Fold2 and S10 Lite
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By this point, we know pretty well what to expect from Samsung when it comes to monthly security updates. Usually some international market will get the next month's release a little early, still in the waning days of the previous month — exactly like we just saw happen for the July release right at the end of June. And then if we're very good and patient, a few days later we start seeing the first releases start to appear for US carriers — just like what's happening right now.
It's not the first time we're hearing about display issues on Samsung phones, but it seems to be the first such instance for the Galaxy S20 series. Several owners have taken to the internet to complain about a display problem that's rendering their phones useless.
Samsung's June 2021 update is now available for the T-Mobile S21 series
The T-Mobile A51 has also been updated
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We might be facing the heat of July, but Samsung's June patch is still coming to a number of phones. Over the last two weeks, it's reached several devices in the US, including the Galaxy S21 and S10 series, the A10e, the A52, and more.
Samsung's One UI 3.1 update reaches the Galaxy A50 and A51 in the US — here's the complete list of devices
The update is also hitting the Sprint Tab S6 and several budget phones
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One UI 3.1 has been rolling out to older Galaxy devices quickly in the last few months. Despite only being an incremental upgrade over 3.0, it carries over several useful features from the Galaxy S21 to its older siblings. Over the last few weeks, One UI 3.1 has arrived for several mid-range devices and some T-Mobile variants.
Samsung's May 2021 security patch comes to more phones on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon — here's the complete list
Now arriving for the Galaxy S9 on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon
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Samsung was ahead of the curve again this month when it released the May 2021 security patch for the international Galaxy S21 before anyone else. That continues now as several devices on T-Mobile receive the same update, even as the June security patch arrives for several devices.
The international Galaxy S21 is finally getting the June 2021 update after a delay
The camera is buttery smooth now
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Samsung started updating its phones with the June security patch before May was out, but the S21 series seemed to be having issues. Now things seem to be back to normal as the update is rolling out widely.The June patch first appeared for Korean S21 users on May 27th, but instead of rapidly spreading to more regions, things went quiet. Another June update rolled out a short time later but, like before, failed to reach any other countries. Whatever problems or bugs were plaguing the update seem to have been squashed, with the US S21 getting it yesterday and it reaching the UK today.As well as the usual security fixes, the cameras have gotten a significant improvement. Until now, switching lenses in the S21 camera app was far from smooth, stuttering, and lagging as it zoomed in and out. That's finally been fixed, and switching between the cameras is smooth and buttery.I got it on my UK S21 Ultra today, carrying G998BXXU3AUF6 as the build number and weighing in at 477MB. Hopefully, it will arrive in other regions soon.As always we'll continue to update this post as new devices get updated.
Samsung rolls out April patch to more US carrier phones and tablets — here's the complete list
Our up-to-date list of all Samsung phones on the April patch in the US
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Samsung's May 2021 update arrives for the Galaxy Tab S6, Note8, and more — here's the full list
Bringing improved Quick Share to more flagships
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Samsung has been trying to improve its image in software lately, especially when it comes to security updates for Android devices. What better way than to release an update several days early? That's the case with the May security update, which is already rolling out to several devices, with new features coming to select flagships.
The March security patch is arriving for more Samsung devices in the US — here is the list so far
The unlocked Note20 and several T-Mobile devices are the latest to receive the update
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Samsung started updating some of its international devices to the March security patch last week, and now distribution is reaching unlocked devices in the US. As well as improvements to security, the update includes One UI 3.1, bringing with it a plethora of new features from the Galaxy S21 series to older phones.
Why I'm glad I made the switch from Google to Samsung
And why I don't think I'll ever go back the other way
I used Google devices exclusively for years. At the time, I loved my Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, the first two generations of the Pixel (XL versions), the Nexus 9 and Pixel C tablets, and even the Pixelbook. But after a few weeks with the Pixel 3 XL, I had to face a truth that I'd been trying to deny: Google hardware makes too many compromises. I went through at least three of each Pixel, all replaced on warranty for one reason or another. And the 3 XL wasn't faring any better in the software department, with the music app constantly being pushed out of memory and the camera failing to save many of the pictures and videos that I took. My fanboy emotions for Google were fading, and I needed to move on. In the end, Samsung was where I ended up.
Samsung's April update is ready for more tablets and Galaxy A phones
Now arriving for the A52, Tab A 10.5 (2018), and Tab S7+
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Samsung has put a lot of effort into improving its software reputation, and a big aspect of that change has been a renewed focus on issuing regular security updates. Over the last couple of years, Samsung has frequently managed to beat Google to the punch, and that continues even now as the Galaxy Note10, Z Fold2, and S21 have all received the April security patch, more recently followed by the Galaxy A72, Tab A 10.5 (2018), and Tab S7+.
Samsung sued over fragile camera glass on the Galaxy S20 series
Samsung hasn't taken corrective measures even after acknowledging the problem
Samsung is being sued, but no, it's not by Apple this time. The lawsuit was filed by disgruntled Galaxy S20 series owners facing issues with the camera module's glass fracturing or shattering without any external force being applied to it. While the problem isn't widespread, it should have been notable enough to warrant Samsung's attention — but apparently, the company largely tried to ignore it.