News
Android 13 QPR2 update brings a large number of features
Android 13 QPR2 is the latest quarterly update for the Android 13 operating system, which Google initially launched in August as a significant upgrade to the previous version. The latest update, QPR2, builds upon the enhancements introduced in QPR1, released in December, further refining the user experience and addressing any known issues. Whether you’re a long-time Android user or new to the platform, Android 13 QPR2 promises to deliver an even more polished and feature-rich mobile operating system.
Google releases Android 13 QPR2 update
The Android 13 QPR2 was delayed beyond its usual first Monday of the month release date. Google gave absolute priority to the release of the DP2 of Android 14, which was released to developers on the evening of Wednesday, March 8th.
In addition to the delayed release, Android 13 QPR2 comes with a significant changelog, as Google has added a slew of new features and security patches updated in March 2023 to address a multitude of vulnerabilities, some of them critical. The update also includes the Pixel Feature Drop in March, which is the second for Android 13 and the first for this year. With this update, supported smartphones can expect to see an improved user experience and added functionality. The Pixel Feature Drop in March includes improvements to the camera app, call screening, and several other system optimizations.
Google Play Store app new version 34.8.07 improve your experience – Download link
Android 13 QPR2 Changelog:
Apps
- Fix for issue causing Live Translate feature to prompt for translation too frequently in certain apps *[1]
- Fix for issue occasionally keeping display on while certain app activities are active
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing screenshots from being captured in certain apps
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing Wallpaper & style settings to open
Battery & Charging
- Fix for issue occasionally causing app-specific battery restriction settings to be reset after a software update
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing Battery Share from charging certain devices or accessories *[2]
- General improvements for charging, battery usage or performance in certain conditions *[1]
- General improvements for wireless charging stability or performance in certain conditions *[2]
Biometrics
- Additional improvements for fingerprint recognition and response in certain conditions *[1]
Bluetooth
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing Android Auto to connect wirelessly with certain vehicle head units
- Improvements for connection stability with certain Bluetooth LE headsets or accessories
Camera
- General improvements for camera stability and performance in certain conditions *[1]
- Improvements for color accuracy or exposure level while using the front camera in certain conditions *[3]
Display & Graphics
- Fix for issue occasionally causing display flicker or artifacts in certain apps or conditions *[1]
- Fix for issue occasionally causing instability or playback errors with certain media apps or content *[1]
- Fix for issue occasionally causing video preview to flicker in certain apps *[1]
Framework
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing keyboard from displaying in certain apps or conditions
Sensors
- Additional tuning for haptics intensity and response in certain conditions *[4]
- General improvements for adaptive brightness response in certain conditions
System
- Fix for issue preventing device bootloader from being unlocked in certain conditions *[4]
- Fix for issue preventing device from booting to Android in certain conditions *[4]
- General improvements for system stability and performance in certain conditions
- Kernel updates to 4.14.295 *[5], 4.19.261 *[6], 5.10.149 *[1]
Telephony
- General improvements for network connection stability and performance in certain conditions
Touch
- General improvements for touch response and performance in certain conditions *[3]
User Interface
- Fix for issue causing certain on-device search results to launch apps in work profile
- Fix for issue causing certain text entries in Battery Usage settings to overlap each other while scrolling
- Fix for issue causing home screen UI to appear blurred in certain conditions
- Fix for issue causing lag or delay with switching between apps while third-party launcher apps are in use
- Fix for issue occasionally causing inner launcher icons to appear clipped after closing a folder
- Fix for issue occasionally causing input text to overlap inside search bar
- Fix for issue occasionally causing media player notification to appear cut off or trimmed
- Fix for issue occasionally causing navigation UI to display over Assistant interface
- Fix for issue occasionally causing notification drawer to appear empty or blank
- Fix for issue occasionally causing Overview screen panels to display over home screen
- Fix for issue occasionally causing Quick Settings tiles to be activated while menu is not pulled down
- Fix for issue occasionally causing screen unlock to overlap with notifications, home screen or other UI elements
- Fix for issue occasionally causing silent mode icon to appear hidden or missing from status bar
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing app icon size to scale correctly when changing display size
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing screenshot sharing or editing to work when tapping overlay buttons
- Fix for issue preventing haptic feedback when interacting with notification drawer in certain conditions
- General improvements for performance in certain UI transitions and animations
- Improvements for home screen icon behavior when switching between different grid sizes
- Improvements for status bar layout and response in certain device orientations
Wi-Fi
- General improvements for Wi-Fi network connection stability & performance in certain conditions
- Improvements for connection stability with certain Wi-Fi 6E-capable routers or networks *
Software versions
Global
- Pixel 4a: TQ2A.230305.008.C1
- Pixel 4a (5G): TQ2A.230305.008.C1
- Pixel 5: TQ2A.230305.008.C1
- Pixel 5a (5G): TQ2A.230305.008.C1
- Pixel 7: TQ2A.230305.008
- Pixel 7 Pro: TQ2A.230305.008.C1
T-Mobile & MVNOs, Google Fi (US)
- Pixel 4a (5G): TQ2A.230305.008.A3
- Pixel 5: TQ2A.230305.008.A3
- Pixel 5a (5G): TQ2A.230305.008.A3
Canada
- Pixel 7: TQ2A.230305.008.A1
- Pixel 7 Pro: TQ2A.230305.008.A3
WINDTRE (Italy)
- Pixel 7: TQ2A.230305.008.A1
- Pixel 7 Pro: TQ2A.230305.008.A3
To check for the update, just follow the path “Settings > System > System Update” and, in case your smartphone has not already detected the presence of the new update, tap on “Search for updates” (it may take a few hours before it is actually available to everyone).
The Korean brand – Samsung has recently announced its two mid-range Galaxy smartphones – Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G. A new benchmark listing has a spot for Samsung’s affordable smartphone, Galaxy35 5G.
Samsung is now gearing up for its next affordable Galaxy smartphone, the M35 5G, as the reports are unvunveilhey have found a new benchmark listing for Samsung the Galaxy M35 5G.
The smartphone has been spotted with the model number as an identification code – SM-M356B on the Geekbench 6.2.2 database. Not only this, but it also confirmed the presence of 6GB of RAM and Android 14 OS. The chipset also came to know which is the latest Exynos 1380.
The codename for the motherboard is also mentioned, which is ‘s5e8835.’ The reports say that it has scored 656 and 1967 points in performance scores on the benchmarking platform. Exynos 1380 is the latest chipset of the Korean brand, which is a 5 nm processor. It consists of 4 Cortex A78 cores, which clock at 2.4GHz, and 4 Cortex A55 cores, which clock at 2.0GHz. It is coupled with a Mali g68 MP5 GPU. It also has an AI Engine.
This also offers connectivity options, which include the latest Bluetooth version 5.3 and Wi-Fi 802.11 ax with three bands. It supports a camera resolution of at least 200MP for capturing images, and for video recording, there is support for up to 30fps 4K recording. The storage supported is UFS v3.1, and RAM will be of the LPDDR4x/5 type.
Samsung has recently debuted its two smartphones, Galaxy A55, and Galaxy A35; the Galaxy A35 5G smartphone is powered by Exynos 1380 chipset. From this perspective, Galaxy M35 5G could be a variant of Galaxy A35.
At the moment, no specs and features of the device have been revealed or leaked. Still, since Galaxy M series smartphones usually have a bit higher battery power of at least 6000mAh, the forthcoming Galaxy M35 5G smartphone also arrives with the same battery power.
Firmware
Verizon rolls out the March 2024 security patch update for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 devices
Verizon has rolled out the March 2024 security patch update for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 devices. Earlier, these devices had received the same update outside the US, but now they are gradually expanding to the US.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are spotted getting new updates with the firmware version numbers F926USQS5HXBD and F711USQS6HXBD, respectively. It is worth noticing the update is currently available for the devices locked to Verizon, but it will soon be available on more carriers.
For your information, the latest update for Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 doesn’t bring any significant changes, but as it is the latest security patch, it will provide some internal fixes to maintain the security of the devices.
If you are getting some other issues from the last update, you should also update the device to the latest update, as it may also address some issues. Along with the update, other improvements may also be made to enhance the overall performance of the devices.
Suppose you use the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Flip 3 device in the US. In that case, you can update the device to the latest version by simply going to the system settings and then to the software update. If you haven’t received the update, you should wait for some time, as it may arrive in the next few days.
Firmware
Samsung rolls out the March 2024 security patch update for the Galaxy S23 FE devices in the US
Samsung has rolled out the March 2024 security patch to almost all devices but still needs to complete the update distribution to all eligible devices. So, gradually expanding the update to remaining devices, the company has started rolling out the update for the Galaxy S23 FE in the US.
Notably, the Galaxy S23 FE devices are getting a new update in the carrier-unlocked version with the firmware version number S711U1UES2BXBF. The update has already been rolled out to almost all carriers, including AT&T, Bluegrass Cellular, C-Spire, Cellular South, Comcast, Cricket, DISH, MetroPCS, T-Mobile, Tracfone, US Cellular, Verizon, and Xfinity Mobile.
According to the official changelog, the March 2024 security patch is one of the standard maintenance updates that provides some internal improvements for the device, and there will be no visible changes available. In other words, users may experience some improvement in the functioning of devices, but it doesn’t particularly bring any specific changes for the device.
Going to the details, the March 2024 security patch includes more than 40 fixes, 37 of which are provided by Google and address the issues found in the Android OS, while 9 more features are introduced by Samsung that enhance the performance of Galaxy devices exclusively.
Suppose you are using the Galaxy S23 FE in the US. In that case, you can update the devices to the latest version by following the simple steps: first, go to the system settings, tap on the software update, and tap on the download and install button; if it shows a new update available, tap on the download button.