Firmware
Samsung detailed October 2023 security patch with dozens of fixes
Samsung is very busy these days and working on multiple things right now, such as One UI 6 testing, which is almost coming to the final stage, but the stable update is stuck because the company is waiting for Google to officially release Android 14. But in the case of a security patch, there is no binding on Samsung; it freely releases the security-related update to its Galaxy devices.
Samsung Fixes 12 Vulnerabilities in October 2023 Security Update
Samsung has added a new page to the official documentation with the October 2023 bulletin. In the latest patch, the company has introduced nearly four dozen fixes that will enhance the security of Galaxy devices. In detail, the patch contains 34 fixes added by Google, which enhance the security of the Android OS, while 12 more fixes are included by Samsung, which exclusively resolve the issues found in Galaxy devices.
In those 12 fixes, the company has resolved the issues that are found in the Galaxy devices. If we analyze the official page, the company has disclosed some of them. The company has fixed the different issues, giving the possibility to install different versions of an app on a device to which the attacker has physical access, enabling and connecting to WiFi networks without the user’s permission, exciting harmful code remotely, and many more.
Samsung has already released the October 2023 update to the Galaxy S23 smartphones; however, it is currently available for beta users. The company will gradually expand the update to other smartphone users in the coming days. As there is no fixed pattern to bring the update, it could be available to any eligible smartphone, irrespective of its price range or region availability.
For some devices, which are no longer eligible for any major updates, the security patch update could also be packed with some enhancements that will surely improve the functioning of the devices.
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is the latest premium mid-range smartphone on the market. It debuted with Android 14 and One UI 6.1. To maintain its security, the company has started rolling out the fresh April 2024 security patch update for the device.
As of writing, the April 2024 security patch for the Galaxy A55 5G has been spotted in several regions, including Europe, Asia, and some Latin American countries. More specifically, the European units of the Galaxy A55 5G are getting a new update with the firmware version number A556BXXS2AXD3. In Asian countries, the update is coming with the firmware version number A556EXXS2AXD3. Meanwhile, the Latin American units are getting a new update with the firmware version number A556EXXS2AXD4.
According to the official changelog, the April 2024 security patch doesn’t bring any major changes for the devices, but it will strengthen their security. According to the official documentation, the latest security patch will provide more than 40 fixes, and Google has added 27 security vulnerability fixes related to the Android OS. Along with this, Samsung has also provided 17 more fixes that remove the security-related bugs from the Galaxy devices.
Moreover, if you update your Galaxy A55 5G smartphone to the latest version, you may get some new changes that can improve the overall performance and stability of the devices. So if you are facing any issues, then the new software update may bring resolution for you.
To take advantage of new software improvements for your device to the latest version, if you are using the Galaxy A55 5G device in any of the above-mentioned regions, you can now install the latest software by going to the software update menu from the system settings.
Firmware
One UI 6.1 with Galaxy AI Feature update rolled out for Galaxy Z Fold4, Flip4, Fold3, and Flip3
Usually, Samsung expands the One UI update gradually to Galaxy devices, but today the company has released the One UI 6.1 update for several devices. After spotting the update on the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 devices, the update is now live for the older foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
It is worth noticing that all these foldable devices are initially getting the One UI 6.1 in South Korea. Users who own the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 can identify the latest update by the firmware version numbers F936NKSU2FXDC and F721NKSU2FXDC, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are getting new updates with the firmware version numbers F926NKSU2IXDC and F711NKSU3IXDC, respectively. With the latest One UI update, the company will provide several new features that will enhance the device’s utility. It is worth noticing that the update is still using the April 2024 security patch.
Informatively, the One UI 6.1 update will also provide new Galaxy AI features that will surely elevate the device experience while using the different communication functionalities and many routine functions.
For your information, there are several Galaxy AI features, including Browsing Assist, Chat Assist, Circle to Search with Google, Edit Suggestion, Generative Edit, Interpreter, Live Translate, Note Assist, and Transcript Assist.
If you are using any of the aforementioned foldable devices in South Korea, then update the Galaxy devices to the most recent update. To do that, simply go to the software update settings under the system settings.
One UI 6.1 and Galaxy AI Features
- Circle to Search feature for instant search.
- Chat Assist helps to translate incoming and outgoing chats in real time and offers different conversation tones.
- Interpreter, which translates in-person conversations in real time.
- Live Translate helps translate phone calls in real-time.
- Note Assist improves the overall functionality of the Notes app.
- Transcript Assist allows for the recording of speech and offers transcription.
- Browsing Assist summarizes and translates web pages.
- Generative editing helps with advanced editing.
- Edit Suggestion offers advanced editing suggestions and options like remastering, erasing shadows, and more.
- Instant Slow-Mo helps to slow down high-action videos after recording them. (Limited Models)
- Generative wallpaper permits you to create as much wallpaper as you want.
- Photo Ambient Wallpaper allows the addition of special effects to the wallpaper based on weather conditions.
A short horror moment for a smartphone user is the end of software support! Samsung plays with monthly, quarterly, and biannual firmware security updates including patches for Android OS-related security issues and Samsung-specific security issues. Sad to relate, here we are listing the Samsung Galaxy devices that are losing their software support in 2024.
Samsung has its policies for allotting software support, according to which it delivers the software update on time, and once the device reaches the limit of update, the brand ends the software support for that. Initially, Samsung offered three major updates to flagship devices and two major updates to the rest of the Galaxy devices, then it expanded the limit and started offering four years of major OS updates to particular devices and three for the affordable ones. Now earlier this year, it promised seven years of major OS updates for its flagship Galaxy S24 series.
However, Samsung hardly ditched its software policies, but now things appear the opposite since the giants are shifting the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series repeatedly between the monthly and quarterly updates list.
Hope your device will not be listed in the list, since here we are mentioning the software support ended devices list in 2024.
Galaxy A series devices
- Galaxy A71
- Galaxy A51 LTE
- Galaxy A02
- Galaxy A01
Galaxy M series devices
- Galaxy M21
- Galaxy M31
Galaxy Tabs & Foldable
- Galaxy Tab S6
- Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- Galaxy Z Flip LTE
- Galaxy Z Fold2 4G
- Galaxy W20 5G
- Galaxy S10 Lite
- Galaxy Note 10 Lite