Owners of the South Korean giant's smartphones have long been accustomed to the fact that the company does not abandon their devices immediately after release. Android 13, also known as the shell One UI 5.0, became a landmark update that brought a lot of visual changes and improvements to the operation of the security system. Users around the world were waiting for the arrival of the new version in order to evaluate the redesigned interface and new widgets.
The update distribution process took several months, covering flagship and budget lines at different times. Samsung rollout traditionally begins with the top models of the series Galaxy S, gradually moving to mid-segment and series devices Galaxy A. It is important to understand that the timing depends not only on the model, but also on the region, as well as the telecom operator through which the gadget was purchased.
In this article we will look in detail at which devices have been honored to receive the latest firmware, and how to check for the update on your device right now. We will also touch on the technical features of the installation and possible problems that may be encountered during the process.
List of compatible flagship models Galaxy S and Z
The company's most powerful devices were the first to receive the update. The flagship line Galaxy S22, released at the beginning of 2022, was initially focused on working with the new OS. However, support also affected previous generations, which was good news for owners of Galaxy S21 i Galaxy S20.
Particular attention should be paid to folding smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 models received interface optimization for large screens, which made multitasking much more convenient. Previous generations of foldable devices were also included in the list of supported devices, having received all the key security features.
Owners of older flagships, such as Galaxy S10 or Galaxy Note 9, unfortunately, did not receive the update. The official support cycle for these models ended with version Android 12which is due to technical limitations of processors and the company's policy on updating devices older than three years.
Below is a list of the main flagship series that received the update:
- 🚀 Galaxy S22 Ultra, S22+, S22
- 🚀 Galaxy S21 FE, S21 Ultra, S21+, S21
- 🚀 Galaxy S20 FE, S20 Ultra, S20+, S20
- 🚀 Galaxy Z Fold 4, Fold 3, Fold 2
- 🚀 Galaxy Z Flip 4, Flip 3, Flip
Update for the Galaxy A series and budget lines
The mid-market segment has always been the most popular for Samsung, and the company is trying not to deprive these devices of attention. The series Galaxy A53 i Galaxy A73 became the first of the "people's" smartphones to receive One UI 5.0. This allowed users of the budget segment to experience the same functions as owners of premium devices.
The update process for the series Galaxy A went in waves. If in Europe and India updates arrived faster, then in other regions the delays could be several weeks. Models Galaxy A52s and Galaxy A52 were also included in the list of lucky ones, which extended their life cycle.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions, the update for budget models of the A series may arrive later than the stated global schedule. This is due to the need for additional firmware certification by local telecom operators.
Owners of entry-level devices such as Galaxy A12 or Galaxy A03should check the settings, since support for these models depends on the amount of RAM and the regional version. Often, such devices receive lightweight versions of the interface.
Why do state employees receive updates later?
The manufacturer needs more time to optimize the heavy One UI interface for less powerful processors in order to avoid lags and problems with autonomy.
Release schedule and regional rollout features
It is impossible not to mention that the release date is a relative concept. The global version of the firmware may be ready, but a specific user will receive a notification only when the servers Samsung reach his region. The process usually takes from 2 to 4 months to cover all countries.
Unlocked versions of smartphones purchased directly from the manufacturer or from large networks are often updated first. Carrier-locked models require additional testing by the mobile operator, which adds a delay of 1-3 weeks.
You can use the official application Samsung Membersto track the status in your region. In the notification section, information about the start of testing or a stable release for your specific model and country often appears.
| Region | Start of updates (Flagships) | Start of updates (Series A) | Completion status |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA (Unlocked) | November 2022 | December 2022 | Completed |
| Europe (EU) | November 2022 | January 2023 | Completed |
| India | December 2022 | January 2023 | Completed |
| Russia/CIS | December 2022 | February 2023 | Completed |
Key changes in One UI 5.0 based on Android 13
The transition to Android 13 brought not just a new version number, but significant changes in design. The color palette has become softer, and new widget design options have appeared that blend better with the wallpaper on your desktop. The interface has become more “airy” and convenient for one-handed operation.
In terms of functionality, the security system has received a powerful boost. Private Space and improved permission control for applications allows the user to flexibly configure what data is seen by each installed software. The camera also received new algorithms for processing night shots and improved noise reduction when recording video.
Working with the clipboard deserves special attention. The system now automatically clears copied text after a certain period of time if the user has not pasted it, which increases data privacy. Connection stability has also been improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Use the "Stacker" function in the gallery to create stickers from objects in the photo. They are automatically synchronized with the keyboard and are available in any messenger.
How to check and install the update manually
If the notification does not arrive for a long time, do not panic. You can initiate the search for a new version of the system yourself through the standard settings menu. This is a safe procedure that does not require connection to a computer.
First, make sure that your smartphone is charged at least 50% and connected to a stable network Wi-Fi. Then go to Settings, scroll down to Software update and click Download and install. The system will contact the server and check that your version is up to date.
☑️ Check before updating
In some cases, the system may prompt you to update Google Play services or interface components before installing the main package. Agree to all the proposed steps, as this will guarantee that the new functions will work correctly after a reboot.
⚠️ Attention: During the installation of the update, the phone will automatically reboot several times. Do not try to turn off the device or remove the SIM card at this moment, so as not to damage the system files.
Solving problems when updating
Despite the stability One UI 5.0, users may encounter typical problems. Most often, an error occurs during loading or the process freezes at the verification stage. In most cases, this can be solved by clearing the cache of the "Software Update" application through the recovery menu or resetting the network settings.
Another common complaint is the rapid drainage of the battery in the first days after the update. This is normal as the system takes time to index files and optimize background processes. Usually, after 3-5 days, autonomy returns to its usual levels.
If, after updating, applications begin to crash, try updating them via Google Play Store or Galaxy Store. Old versions of software may be incompatible with new libraries Android 13.
Resetting to factory settings after a major update to the Android version is a radical, but the most effective way to eliminate errors and lags if other methods do not help.
Do you need to reset to factory settings after an update?
Usually this is not necessary. Android is designed to retain data and settings when updated. You should only do a full reset (Wipe Data) if you encounter critical errors, constant reboots, or a severe drop in performance that cannot be eliminated by other methods.
Is it possible to roll back to Android 12 if you don’t like the new version?
Officially, this option is not provided. The rollback process requires flashing the device via the Odin app on a PC with the loss of all data. In addition, if you are using an older version of firmware, Knox protection may be triggered, which will permanently block some security features and payment services.
Why is there no update on my Samsung, although my friends have already received it?
The distribution of updates occurs in stages. Samsung uses an algorithm that first sends the firmware to a small percentage of users to collect statistics. If no errors are detected, the wave expands. Also affected by the region, processor model (Exynos or Snapdragon) and the unlocking status of the device.