Android 14 on Samsung: which models will receive and when to expect

The global update of the One UI software shell based on the new version of the Android operating system always becomes a landmark event for owners of equipment from the South Korean giant. This time, users are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Android 14, which Samsung labels as One UI 6.0. This is not just a change in numbers in the settings, but a deep rethinking of interaction with the device, including new personalization options, improved multitasking and a redesigned design of system elements.

Owners of current flagship lines and popular mid-budget series have already received or will soon receive access to betas, which allows you to assess the scale of changes before the official release. However, the main question that worries millions of users around the world concerns the compatibility of their specific devices. List of supported models this year turned out to be wider than one might expect, given the company's policy of increasing the support period for gadgets.

In this article we will look in detail at which smartphones Samsung Galaxy will have the honor of working under the new OS. We will analyze official data, leaks from insiders and historical update statistics to create the most accurate picture possible. If you are planning to buy a new device or want to understand whether you should wait for an update for your current model, this information will be critical for you.

Official list of Galaxy S and Z series devices

Traditionally, the flagship series Galaxy S and Galaxy Z are the first to get access to new versions of Android. For Android 14, Samsung has confirmed that support extends to devices released in the last few years. This means that even models that were released a couple of years ago will not be left out of technological progress.

Particular attention should be paid to the series Galaxy S23, which initially came with Android 13, but is guaranteed to receive three major OS updates. The list also includes older flagships, such as Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 FE, which is an excellent indicator of the longevity of the brand’s devices. For folding smartphones, support has also been expanded, covering the second and third generations.

⚠️ Attention: The update release date for a specific model may vary depending on the region, telecom operator and firmware version. In some countries, the release may be delayed by several weeks relative to the global launch.

Below is a detailed list of models that will definitely receive the update to One UI 6.0 (Android 14):

• 📱 Galaxy S series: S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE, S22, S22+, S22 Ultra, S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, S21 FE.
• 📱 Galaxy Z series: Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Z Fold4, Z Flip4, Z Fold3, Z Flip3.
• 📱 Galaxy S20 series: S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, S20 FE (5G and 4G versions).
• 📱 Galaxy Note series: Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Note 10, Note 10+.

It is important to note that for devices in the series Galaxy S20 i Note 10 this update may be the last major update of the operating system, although Security patches will continue to arrive for some time. Users of these models are recommended to make the most of the new features, as they prolong the relevance of the gadget.

Support for Galaxy A smartphones and other series

The mid-budget segment represented by the series Galaxy Aaccounts for the lion's share of sales Samsung worldwide. That is why the company pays great attention to timely updating of these devices. Android 14 will bring many flagship features to these smartphones, making the user experience more uniform regardless of the price of the device.

In the current update cycle, Samsung has decided to support models that are quite old for the Android world, released back in 2021. This applies to popular Galaxy A52 i Galaxy A52s, which are already preparing for their third major OS update. For the budget segment, this is exceptional generosity, allowing you to significantly extend the life of the smartphone.

List of A series devices awaiting the arrival of the new shell:

• 🚀 Galaxy A54 5G, A53 5G, A52s 5G, A52 5G.
• 🚀 Galaxy A34 5G, A33 5G.
• 🚀 Galaxy A24, A23, A14, A13.
• 🚀 Galaxy A04s, A04.

In addition, the update will affect other lines, including tablets Galaxy Tab (S8, S7 FE, A8 series) and even smart phones watch Galaxy Watchthat will switch to Wear OS 4. This speaks to the Samsung ecosystem's comprehensive approach to software updates.

Why are older models getting updates?

Samsung has implemented a long-term support policy to compete with Apple and Google. Even if the device's processor is not the most powerful, optimization of One UI allows you to run the new features of Android 14 without a critical drop in performance. Owners of entry-level models such as

Owners of entry-level models such as A03 or A02should prepare for the fact that the update may arrive later or not at all, depending on the amount of RAM and technical limitations processor. Technical characteristics hardware play a decisive role in the ability to run heavy graphic elements of the new interface.

Key innovations of One UI 6.0

The transition to Android 14 is marked not only by bug fixes, but also by the introduction of a number of long-awaited features. One of the most noticeable changes is the ability to quickly customize the Quick Settings panel. Now users can change the size of buttons, their location and background transparency without the need to use third-party launchers or complex modifications.

Another important aspect was working with widgets. The new version of the OS has a special section in the settings that allows you to control the visibility of widgets on the lock screen. You can hide unnecessary data or, conversely, bring the most important information to the forefront, such as weather, calendar or activity tracker.

⚠️ Note: Some features, such as advanced AI capabilities or specific camera settings, may be exclusive to certain regions or models with Snapdragon processors. On Exynos devices, the feature set may be slightly limited.

Other improvements worth noting:

• 🎨 New emoji and system icon designs to match the Material You style.
• 🔋 Improved power management and more detailed battery consumption statistics.
• 📸 New shooting modes and improved photo processing in night mode.
• 🔒 Enhanced privacy protection and new settings for application access to data.

The improved integration with Google services and Samsung’s own services deserves special attention. For example, the Digital Wellbeing feature has new tools for monitoring time spent in applications, which is especially important for parents monitoring their children's screen time.

Update release schedule for different regions

Samsung's update distribution process is gradual. Devices in pilot regions, which traditionally include South Korea, the USA, Germany and India, are the first to receive new firmware. In these countries, beta versions and stable releases appear with minimal delay after the announcement.

For users from Russia, CIS countries and Europe, the wait can range from two weeks to a month and a half after the global launch. This is due to the need to certify the firmware from local telecom operators and adapt the regional features of the software. Regional codes (CSC) play a key role in the order in which the update is received.

An approximate release schedule can be presented in the form of a table:

Region / Country	Status	Expected period
USA, South Korea	Stable version	October - November 2023
Europe (Germany, UK)	Stable version	November - December 2023
Russia, CIS	Pending	December 2023 - January 2026
Asia, Latin America	In progress	January - February 2026

It is worth considering that operator versions smartphones (locked for a specific provider) take longer to update than unlocked Retail versions. If it is critical for you to receive an update as early as possible, you should pay attention to this nuance when purchasing a device.

How to check and install the update manually

If you want to know if a new version of Android is available for your device right now, you don't have to wait for a push notification. The system allows you to force a check for updates through the settings menu. This is especially true if you know that a release has already taken place in your region.

To perform the check, you must perform the following steps:

1. Open the application Settings on your smartphone.
2. Scroll down the list and select the item Software update.
3. Click on the button Download and installation.
4. The system will contact the server and check the relevance of the version.

If the update is available, you will see button Download. Before starting the process, make sure that the battery charge is at least 50% and the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network, since the amount of downloaded data may exceed 4-5 GB.

If the system reports that the software is updated, but If you are sure that the release is already underway, you can try clearing the update application cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications, find Google Play Services or Software Update in the list and select Clear cache. After rebooting, repeat the check.

Possible problems and solutions

Like any large-scale updating, switching to Android 14 may be accompanied by a number of typical problems. Users often report rapid battery drain in the first days after installation. This is a normal phenomenon: the system takes time (usually from 2 to 5 days) to re-index files and optimize background processes for the new code.

Another common problem may be the unstable operation of individual applications that have not yet been adapted by developers for the new version of Android. In this case, it helps to wait for updates to the applications themselves via Google Play Store or Galaxy Store.

⚠️ Attention: If after the update the smartphone starts to get very hot or freezes, try resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data). Be sure to save all important data before this procedure, as it will completely clear the device's memory.

In rare cases, the installation process may be interrupted and the device will go into a cyclic reboot. If this happens, you will need to enter Recovery Mode through a combination of physical buttons (usually Volume Up + Power or connecting to a PC) and selecting item Wipe Cache Partition. This action is safe for user data.

What to do if the sound or Wi-Fi is lost?

A simple restart in safe mode often helps. Press the power button, then press the "Power off" icon on the screen until you are prompted to enter safe mode. If everything works in it, the problem is in a third-party application.

Samsung technical support is actively collecting error reports through the app Samsung Members. If you encounter a bug that is not described in the official FAQ, it is recommended to submit a bug report through this application, indicating a detailed description of the problem. This will help engineers release a corrective patch faster.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Will my old Samsung Galaxy receive an update to Android 14?

It depends on the model. Support for devices released starting from 2021 (S21, A52 series and newer) has been officially confirmed. Models from 2020 and older will likely remain on Android 13 or earlier, receiving only security patches.

Will the update erase my data and photos?

When updating over the air (OTA) through Settings, all your data, apps, and settings are preserved. However, we strongly advise you to create a backup copy in case of unexpected failures during the installation process.

Is it possible to roll back to Android 13 if you don’t like the new version?

Officially there is no such option. A rollback is only possible by flashing the device using the Odin app on a PC, but this process is complicated, requires resetting all data and carries the risk of turning the phone into a “brick” if errors occur.

Why does the update not arrive, although friends already have it?

The distribution comes in waves. This is influenced by the region, telecom operator and specific modification of the device. Try checking for updates manually in the settings or wait a few days.

Will Android 14 worsen battery performance?

In the first 3-5 days, increased energy consumption is possible due to system optimization. In the long term, Android 14 contains improvements to save energy, so battery life should remain the same or increase.