Samsung Still Hasn’t Updated a Single Device to Android 15, One UI 7

Samsung has lengthy been referred to round these components because the “King of Android Updates” due to their long-term dedication to system help, regular supply of month-to-month patches, and their quickness at delivering main Android OS updates even with their heavy One UI pores and skin on high. Google caught and surpassed Samsung’s stage of help lately, however that hasn’t stopped Samsung from remaining proper on the high of the listing with them. Nonetheless, their standing there’s unsure at this time after what seems to be a severely delayed Android 15 (and One UI 7) rollout that the corporate hasn’t been that open about.

To catch you up, we’ll rewind to October 2024, only some weeks after Google had launched Android 15 to AOSP. You see, Samsung hadn’t launched any Android 15 beta builds in any respect up till this level and had been quiet on once we may see these. That was odd, since Android 14 (and One UI 6) landed in beta as early as August for the Galaxy S23 sequence the yr prior. That update went stable in November for numerous Samsung telephones. So not listening to a phrase about Android 15 or One UI 7 from Samsung up till October was eyebrow-raising.

However in October, Samsung announced that they have been getting ready a One UI 7 (Android 15) beta and it might launch “earlier than the tip of the yr” for the Galaxy S24 sequence solely. Their plan was to then launch One UI 7 as a secure software program on the Galaxy S25 sequence when it landed in early 2025. Samsung caught to these two issues, delivering the One UI 7 beta to the Galaxy S24 in early December 2024 adopted by a secure model on the Galaxy S25 in January.

And that’s the place we sit at this time, on February 17. Samsung hasn’t launched One UI 7 (Android 15) to the Galaxy S24 as a secure replace, nor have they expanded the One UI 7 beta program to different gadgets. We’re months and months behind what we sometimes anticipate and see from Samsung they usually have been tight-lipped concerning the explanation why.

The one replace we’ve had on a possible rollout was by way of a press release on Samsung’s Korean newsroom that interprets to the next:

Samsung Electronics plans to complement person suggestions obtained by way of the beta program and set up ‘One UI 7’ beginning with the Galaxy S sequence to be launched within the first quarter, after which sequentially apply it to present Galaxy gadgets thereafter.

This seems to counsel that the Galaxy S sequence of telephones will see One UI 7 (Android 15) inside Q1, which solely has a bit over a month left. As soon as that occurs, the plan is to push it to different gadgets, which we assume means all of Samsung’s foldables, just like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6.

What’s the issue with all of this? Delays are by no means enjoyable. We all know that One UI 7 is a big replace from Samsung, one of many greatest in One UI’s historical past, however we’re effectively into 2025 and Samsung has but to ship it to any telephones past their new Galaxy S25 sequence. If you couple that with the truth that Google has pushed up its Android 16 schedule to a Q2 release, Samsung telephones are about to be two Android variations behind. That’s not look for a corporation that has been the “king” for so long as it has been and positively prioritized delivering new Android OS variations as rapidly as doable.

I do marvel if Samsung is taking a look at all of those considerably minor Android OS releases lately and pondering it is likely to be OK to place much more deal with promoting One UI, moderately than being the quickest to getting new Android out. Android 14, 15, and (probably) 16 don’t carry main forward-facing options. One UI however, continually introduces new concepts, themes, designs, and experiences that may be an enormous promote for Samsung to its clients. Whereas there are underlying adjustments in every new model of Android which are vital, they typically aren’t promoting factors.

We’ve come to this place the place a brand new Android model drops and we simply anticipate all Android telephone makers to instantly ship it. What if Samsung has determined it’s not that vital to take action? I’m not saying that’s what Samsung is doing or ought to do, however their dedication to updates is on the variety of OS updates, not as a timing launch along side Google.

It might additionally make plenty of sense for Samsung to prioritize new software program concepts on its latest telephones, like they’re doing with the Galaxy S25 sequence, after which roll these options out to older gadgets. Once more, I’m not saying Samsung is doing that or ought to, however it might make some sense to assist transfer extra models.

All that stated, delaying main updates and never speaking about that reality is rarely good. Google has up to date all of its still-supported telephones to Android 15, as has OnePlus. OnePlus’ new OxygenOS 15 can be a fairly main replace and they delivered it as a beta in October adopted by a first stable update in early November. They’ve since updated gadgets as outdated because the OnePlus 10 Pro to Android 15, all earlier than Samsung has despatched a single secure replace out. They’ve even up to date some mid-range Nord gadgets.

If Samsung has altered its software program replace schedule to prioritize releases round new system launches, that’s in all probability wonderful, I simply suppose they need to say that publicly. In any other case, I hope this One UI 7 delay is just a 1-year off yr (which it may be) for a corporation who has actually been nice within the replace division.