Samsung to end lengthy updates

For several years now, Android has supported a function that makes the update process more pleasant and secure for users. Now Samsung also seems to finally be bringing the so-called seamless updates to its new devices. WinFuture.de

‘Invisible’ system updates

Since 2016, Android has enabled developers and manufacturers of smartphones to update their system software using a specific procedure. With so-called seamless or A/B updates, the new version of the operating system is installed on a parallel partition.

This means that the installation runs in the background while smartphone owners can continue to use their device as normal. Seamless updates also offer security benefits. If something goes wrong during the update process, the previous version of the operating system, which remained untouched on the other partition, can simply continue to be used.

Samsung is lagging behind

Despite these and other advantages and although Google wanted to oblige all manufacturers from Android 11 onwards to use ‘invisible’ updates, Samsung has not yet used A/B system updates. The only exception to the manufacturer’s smartphone lineup is the Galaxy A55. As a leak reveals, more devices could soon be added.

Implementation on S25 series

Like leaker chunvn8888 in one Post on X (via Android Authority) writes, the entire Galaxy S25 series will receive the seamless operating system updates in the future. This would make the phones the first flagship models to use this Android feature. It is therefore quite possible that other future Samsung devices will also support A/B updates.

However, this is not possible for older models. A subsequent ‘conversion’ to this type of update is not possible. With the release of Android 13 in August 2022, it was suspected that Samsung would begin using seamless updates on its new devices. However, why the company has not yet made use of the function remains somewhat unclear.

Probably starting in 2025

There is no official release date for the Galaxy S25 series yet. Based on the previous release windows for the Korean manufacturer’s smartphones, experts are currently assuming that the new devices will be presented in mid-January 2025. A particularly thin “slim” version of the S25 could also appear at a later date, as was recently said.