Firmware
Carrier-locked Galaxy S21/S22/Note 20 series receiving March 2023 security update in the USA
Samsung is always ahead when it comes to providing new updates to its devices; being a smartphone giant, the company also dominates in the Android software market after Google; most of the time company has also beaten Google in the security updates segment, as it has updated its devices with new security patch even before the official bulletin announcement.
But on the other hand, the company is also struggling to provide the update at the same time for the devices available around the world. However, the company is evolving and trying its best to provide new updates as soon as possible. And we observed it at the time of the One UI 5.1 update, where the company updated several devices together and expanded the update worldwide in a very short time.
Now the company is expanding the March 2023 update in the US
In March 2023 rolling-out session, Samsung rapidly updated several devices which belong to an unlocked variant category, but due to carrier restrictions, the company has to slow down the pace still; the high-end devices are getting the update on time. Now continuing the speed, the locked variant of Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Note 20 series devices are getting the March 2023 update on several networks. Let’s know more about the update.
Galaxy S21 is now getting the March 2023 update on several networks, including T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon. The update comes with different version numbers for all the models, such as Galaxy S21 base– G991USQS5EWB3, Galaxy S21+ — G996USQS5EWB3 and Galaxy S21 Ultra— G998USQS5EWB3.
The March 2023 update is landing on Galaxy S23 devices by the Verizon network. Users who own Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra devices can identify the latest update by these firmware version numbers S901USQS2CWB7, S906USQS2CWB7 and S908USQS2CWB7, respectively.
The Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra devices are receiving the latest update, which is coming as of March 2023 security devices; for identified this update, users can see the software version numbers N981USQS3HWB7 and N986USQS3HWB7 respectively. The update is currently available on the Verizon network for locked variants.
What is March 2023 update?
Samsung has recently taken a significant step towards addressing various security and privacy issues that are affecting its smartphone users. In a recent update, the tech giant resolved 40 CVE items as part of Google’s Android security bulletin and 23 SVEs for Galaxy One UI devices.
These issues are related to Bluetooth, function driver, Galaxy Themes, Samsung Keyboard, System UI, and other One UI services. This move highlights Samsung’s commitment to providing its users with a safe and secure experience while using their 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