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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.
Google Fi's incredible Galaxy S21 deal will have you asking 'S22 who?'
$500 off some of 2021's best phones
Samsung's next flagship phones are set to arrive next month, featuring the latest and greatest in processors, displays, and more. They're also bound to sport price tags well above $1,000, which could turn off potential buyers. If you're looking to grab a reliable device without breaking the bank, Google Fi has some killer offers on all three of Samsung's 2021 flagship devices.
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Last year, Samsung released its most ambitious (non-folding) phone to date: the Galaxy S20 Ultra. It didn't go over especially well. A sky-high $1400 price tag and unremarkable camera performance torpedoed the phone outright in our final assessment, a rare miss for Samsung in the premium smartphone segment.
Fourth One UI 4 beta update for Galaxy S21 series packs plenty of bug fixes
The stable release should be right around the corner
Samsung has been running the One UI 4/Android 12 beta program for the Galaxy S21 series since mid-September, with three beta builds being rolled out packing plenty of changes and improvements. Last week, the company stopped enrolling new members onto the One UI 4 beta program, hinting that the final public release of the update is close. Samsung has now dropped a fourth beta of One UI 4 with numerous bug fixes and stability improvements.
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: 2021's best phones go head to head
The battle of Android flagships
Google finally has a flagship Pixel phone that can compete with the best of what Samsung has to offer. In many ways, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is a more compelling device than the Galaxy S21 Ultra, mainly thanks to its more attractive price-to-performance ratio. However, Google doesn't just let the lower price tag of its Pixel phone do the talking. The Tensor chip, 50MP primary camera, massive battery, and excellent display ensures the Pixel 6 Pro is more than capable of taking on the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Moment (M)Force case and accessories review: MagSafe comes to your Galaxy S21
Turn your phone into a professional camera
MagSafe was one of the standout new features of the iPhone 12 lineup, and it was something that I immediately wanted on my phone. Thankfully, there are already several options for retrofitting Android phones, and the (M)Force case from Moment could be the best yet.
Samsung's Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra are up to $275 off at Amazon today only
Killer deals on some great phones
The Galaxy S22 series — along with its mysterious ever-changing camera bump — have already leaked onto the web months early, but that doesn’t mean Samsung’s most recent flagship phones aren’t worth buying. If you’ve had your eyes on a Galaxy S21+ or S21 Ultra, today’s daily deal at Amazon is worth your attention.
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.
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).
Samsung's One UI 4 beta program launches tomorrow on the Galaxy S21
US-based owners can try out Android 12 on their phones
In July, Samsung accidentally announced its One UI 4 beta would begin sometime in September for Galaxy S21 owners, skipping an x.5 update altogether to provide faster access to new software. With Android 12's release candidate now live, it's finally time for Samsung's beta program to kick off in style — well before its usual schedule.
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 Galaxy S21 will get Android 12 and One UI 4 in a September beta
Time to start spamming the Samsung Members app
Many of us have been eagerly anticipating One UI 4, which will show us Samsung's take on Android 12. The company accidentally announced the beta early in July before pulling it and saying that we'd need to wait until September for more details. Now things are finally moving ahead, as the original announcement is reposted with more information.
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.
When Samsung unveiled the Fold3 and Flip3 earlier this month, it did something a little different with their software. Because One UI 4 is right around the corner, Samsung scrapped the 3.5 update and released the new foldables with an incremental 3.1.1 version instead. Because most of the new features are specifically for foldables, many wondered if existing phones would get the update or skip straight to One UI 4.0. Now we have our answer, as the Galaxy S21 series is being updated with some improvements from 3.1.1, even without formally graduating to 3.1.1.
Five great looking cases for your Galaxy S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra
Protect your shiny new investment in style
Samsung may have just launched a duo of hot new foldables for the 2021-2022 season, but the S21 series from earlier this year is still no slouch. Equipped with a Snapdragon 888 chip, impressive camera arrays, and a beautiful display, we even called it “the 2021 smartphone to beat (so far).” Here are just some of our favorite cases that’ll help you keep your S21 in good condition for years to come.
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.
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Samsung has steadily been improving its software update speed over the last few years. Security patches are already impeccable, but major Android updates are still two or three months behind Google. In June, there was a rumor that Samsung would be releasing One UI 4 based on Android 12 earlier than in recent years. That seems to be the case, as one of the community managers accidentally announced the beta early before swiftly deleting the post.