Firmware
Samsung updates 9 Galaxy devices to January 2023 security patch in Australia
Samsung is currently updating its Galaxy devices with the January 2023 security patch; now, it released the update for some Galaxy devices in Australia. Including Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S20, and Galaxy A51 devices. As per the previous timeline of the update, all devices have received the Android 13 update.
Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S21 is the company’s flagship device of 2021; it came with Android 11 on board; the device recently received Android 13, the second major Android OS update (Android 14). However, the Galaxy S21 is still eligible for one more Android update and will receive a number of security updates in the future. As of now, the Galaxy S21 devices are receiving the 2023’s first security update in the form of January 2023 with version numbers G991BXXU5DWA3, G996BXXU5DWA3, and G998BXXU5DWA3 for Galaxy S21 general, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra respectively.
Galaxy S20
Being a three years old device, it has now limited to Android 13, but Samsung is committed to serving a minimum of 5 years of security updates for its Galaxy devices. The company is distributing the latest security patch update for the Galaxy S21 devices to keep the promise. The update comes with new firmware version numbers G980BXXUFGWA4, G985BXXUFGWA4, and G988BXXUFGWA4 for Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra, respectively.
Galaxy Note 20
Galaxy Note 20 series devices are the last ones which are representing the Note lineup because Samsung has stopped introducing new models in the Note series. Now the company has introduced all the features of the Note lineup in new S series devices, starting with Galaxy S22 devices, and because of this, the S22 device is also called the Note series killer smartphone. But Samsung hasn’t forgotten about the Note series devices and now updating the devices with January
2023 security update. Users who own Galaxy Note 20 series devices can identify the update by the version number N981BXXU5GWA5 and N986BXXU5GWA5 for Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra, respectively.
Galaxy A51
According to the information, the device is listed under the biannual security update list, so the device is eligible to receive two security updates per year. The Galaxy A51 device has now received the January 2023 update with version number A515FXXU5GWA2. It is also noticeable that the update is currently available for the LTE variant. However, the 5G variant of the device will receive the update in the next few days. The device was launched in 2019 and came with Android 10; now, it is running on Android 12. And the device is no longer eligible for any Android update; however, the Galaxy A51 device should get more security updates in the future.
What is the January 2023 security patch?
The latest update is part of the security maintenance program, which is run by Google to provide better security for Android devices, so it generally improves the overall security of the device. Still, sometimes it comes with important enhancements for the device that make the working of the device smooth and give its internal function more stability.
The January 2023 update brings the latest Android security patch. It includes around 52 patches which are added by Google and targets the Android OS specifically, while Samsung has also attached 20 more patches for its Galaxy devices.
Here is the list of Samsung smartphones & tables that should receive One UI 5.1
How to install
Users who own the above mentioned devices in the Australia can install the January 2023 update by following the given steps
- Go to the device settings
- Then click on the software updates button
- Now tap on download and install
- wait until the search is finished,
- If it shows the security update is available, tap on the install button,
Usually, Samsung Galaxy devices are always ahead in getting new updates, but when it comes to the Google system update, there is no assurance when the latest update will come for the devices. This happens due to Google’s server limitations. For instance, the Galaxy S24 has received the January 2024 system update lately, but now Google is back on track and has started rolling out the April 2024 system update on ideal timing.
Google Play System April 2024 Update for Samsung Galaxy Phones
Last week, Google started rolling out the Play System update for Android devices, and now it has started expanding the update to Galaxy devices. For your information, with every new Play System update, the search giant provides some enhancements for Android devices through its built-in application upgrades.
With the April 2024 Play system update, Google has introduced some new changes under Google Play services. According to the changelog, under Account Management, if you are a supervisor user, you will be able to use a new dashboard to view parental control settings for wearables. This indicates that the April 2024 play system update is also available for the Wear OS.
Along with this, it introduces a new feature for smartphone users: the ability to connect with your contacts immediately after setting up your new phone. Additionally, the update also brings a new update for the Galaxy Play Store. For more clarification, you can check the official April 2024 system update changelog.
Google Play system update: April 2024 official changelog
Google Play Services v24.14 (2024-04-10)
Security and privacy
- [Phone] Find My Device can locate your powered-off device.
Support
- [Phone] With this new feature, you can now select a plan offer and activate an eSIM in Device Plans.
Wallet
- [Phone] Bug fixes for wallet-related services.
- [Phone] With this new feature, you can now use your Hong Kong Octopus Card in your wallet.
Google Play Services v24.13 (2024-04-03)
Support
- [Auto]: New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support related processes in their apps.
Wallet
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll get notifications whenever your cards are updated and when a new virtual card is ready for use.
Google Play Store v40.4 (2024-04-01)
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll have an improved installation experience when you get a prompt to download your official apps and games on Google Play.
Firmware
April 2024 update is live now for South Korean units of Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5
Samsung has already introduced the April 2024 security patch update to several units of Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 devices. Earlier, these devices had already grabbed the update in several regions, including the US, and now both of the foldables have started getting the latest security patch update in South Korea.
Users who own the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 can identify the latest update by the firmware version numbers F946NKSS1CXD1 and F731NKSS1CXD1, respectively. With the latest update, it doesn’t bring any significant improvements for the devices, but it will provide some enhancements to the system.
The April 2024 update will ensure users are protected against external threats that can harm important data, and it will also give a seamless experience of the device while using any feature, so if you want to get the latest update, you can check the update by going to the system software update via system settings.
Moreover, the latest update may also provide some new features that will improve the working of the devices, so in that case, it may help you get rid of the problem. It is worth noticing that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 have revived the One UI 6.1 software in the last update, where users have faced some problems regarding the different features, so if you want to improve them, then you should try the latest update.
Firmware
Samsung brings the LTE TDD band support for these Galaxy devices in Europe via software update
Samsung has rolled out the second April 2024 update, which provides support for the new LTE TDD band. Several devices, including the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy S23 FE, and Galaxy A54, have spotted the update in Europe as of writing. As per the changelog, it seems that the new feature, the 4G LTE TDD band, may be exclusively available for the European region.
Samsung Galaxy Phones get LTE TDD Band Support in Europe
Samsung, on the other hand, doesn’t explain the release of this update or its purpose, but it’s possible that the company will do so in the coming days.
As per the observation, the update seems to provide a boost to network connectivity on LTE. In simple words, the update may aim to enhance network connectivity by stabilizing the speed of the internet while connecting to the 4G network.
According to the changelog, it is worth noting that Galaxy users who purchase their smartphone in Germany will not be able to use 4G networks on TDD band connections in other countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
If you are using the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy S23 FE, and Galaxy A54 in Europe, then you should start getting new updates. To install them on your device, simply go to the software update menu via the system settings, wait for the update, and then hide the download button that appears.