Owners of the legendary flagship Samsung Galaxy S8+ often wonder about the current status of the software of their device. This smartphone, released in 2017, has long held a leading position in the market thanks to its innovative design and powerful hardware. However, over time, manufacturers' update policies change, and the relevance of the operating system becomes a critical factor for the security and compatibility of applications.
Today, the device has reached the final point in the cycle of official support from the vendor. Users who have not kept up with updates manually or who bought a used device may encounter outdated software. It is important to understand which version Android is the latest official one in order to assess the risks of using a gadget in modern realities.
In this article we will analyze in detail the evolution of firmware for this model, ways to check the current build and alternative ways to upgrade the system. You will find out whether it's worth staying on the stock shell or whether it's time to experiment with custom solutions to extend the life of your smartphone.
Official history of software updates
Initially Galaxy S8 Plus entered the market with a pre-installed operating system Android 7.0 Nougat, supplemented by a proprietary shell Samsung Experience 8.0. This was the era when the South Korean giant began to change its approach to interface design, making it lighter and airier. Users received smooth animation and new security features, such as Samsung Knox in an updated form.
A year later, the company released a major update to Android 8.0 Oreo with interface Samsung Experience 9.0. This update brings Picture-in-Picture support, improved notification management, and background power optimization. For many owners, this became the most stable period of use of the device, when the balance between functionality and autonomy was the best.
⚠️ Attention: The update to Android 8.0 on some models with an Exynos processor caused increased heating in the first days after installation. It is recommended to give the system a few days to optimize the application cache.
The final major update in the official line was the version Android 9.0 Pie with shell Samsung Experience 9.5which was later transformed into an earlier version One UI. This update radically changed the ergonomics of the controls, moving the main interface elements to the lower third of the screen for ease of use with one hand on large displays.
Why did the updates stop?
Samsung guaranteed 2 major OS updates for flagships of that period. Since the S8 came out with version 7, the logical conclusion was version 9. Further support would require significant changes to the drivers, which is not economically feasible for an old device.
How to find the current version of Android on a device
Checking the software version is a simple procedure that does not require connecting to a computer. All necessary information is stored in the system settings menu. You just need to follow a specific path to see the build number and security patch level.
Open the settings menu and scroll to the bottom of the list. Find item Phone information or About device. Inside this section there will be a tab Software information. This is where all key data about the system is displayed.
- 📱 Android version: shows the number of the main operating system (for example, 9).
- 🛡️ Security patch level: date of the last vulnerability database update.
- ⚙️ One UI version: number of the current interface shell.
- 🔢 Build number: unique identifier of a specific firmware version.
If the menu indicates that the software is updated to the latest version, but you know that newer official versions exist, the update may not have arrived over the air. In this case, you should check for the update manually through the item Software update in the main settings menu.
If the check for updates button is inactive, make sure that a SIM card of any operator is connected and there is a stable Wi-Fi connection. Some regional firmware requires an active network connection for validation.
Technical characteristics and compatibility
Hardware platform Samsung Galaxy S8+ based on a chipset Samsung Exynos 8895 (in the global version) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (in the USA and China). Both processors were flagship at the time of release and had enough power to work with modern applications, despite their age.
The amount of RAM was 4 GB, and the built-in memory was 64 GB, expandable with microSD cards. This configuration made it possible to comfortably work with multitasking in the Android 9environment. However, modern applications are becoming increasingly resource-demanding, which puts a strain on older hardware.
| Parameter | Characteristics | Impact on software |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 8895 / SD 835 | Support 64-bit applications |
| RAM | 4 GB LPDDR4 | Limiting heavy games and multitasking |
| Screen | 6.2" Super AMOLED | High resolution requires interface optimization |
| Battery | 3500 mAh | New versions of Android may reduce battery life |
It is worth noting that the drivers for the graphics accelerator and modem were no longer updated by the chip manufacturer quite a long time ago. This means that new features Androidthat require support at the kernel or driver level simply cannot be officially implemented on this device.
Data security on an outdated system
Using a device with the latest 2021 security update carries certain risks in today's digital landscape. New viruses and phishing methods can exploit vulnerabilities that have already been closed in more recent versions Android.
However, the built-in protection system Samsung Knox continues to work at the hardware level, ensuring bootloader protection and isolation of personal data. This creates an additional barrier for attackers, even if the operating system does not receive the latest patches.
⚠️ Attention: When using online banking on a device with an outdated security patch, be extremely careful. It is recommended not to store large sums in accounts accessible from this gadget and not to follow suspicious links.
Browsers and instant messengers, such as Chrome or Telegramcontinue to receive updates through store Google Play, which partially compensates for the obsolescence of the system. But system components responsible for working with the network and Bluetooth remain vulnerable.
If you plan to use your smartphone as your main one, consider installing a reliable antivirus from a trusted source. This is not a panacea, but an additional line of defense against malware targeting older versions of the OS.
Custom firmware capabilities and unlocking
For enthusiasts for whom the official version is not enough Android 9, there is a market for custom firmware. The XDA developer community has created ports of newer versions of Android, including 10, 11 and even 12, projects like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which entails complete data loss and triggering the flag Knox 0x1. This irreversibly disables functions such as Samsung Pay, Secure Folder and some banking applications that use strict system integrity checks.
☑️ Preparing to install custom firmware
The advantage of such solutions is to receive the latest security patches and a new interface. However, the stability of the camera, fingerprint scanner and NFC module may be lower than on stock firmware due to the lack of original drivers.
Custom firmware gives a second life to the device, but deprives you of Samsung's proprietary security features and guarantees of stable operation of banking applications.
Performance optimization on the latest version
If you decide to stay with the official version Android 9, you can significantly speed up your smartphone through proper optimization. Over time, the system becomes clogged with cache and background processes, which leads to slowdown of the interface.
The first step is to switch to developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → Phone information → Software information and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After the message about enabling developer mode appears, return to the main settings menu.
At the bottom of the list, find the item Developer options. Find the section responsible for animation and change the scale of the window animation, transition and animator duration from 1x to 0.5x. This will visually speed up the response of the interface without losing functionality.
- 🧹 Clear cache: regularly clear the application cache through memory settings.
- 🚫 Autostart: limit the background activity of unnecessary applications in the battery settings.
- 📉 Screen resolution: lowering the resolution in display settings can save battery and GPU resources.
It is also recommended to remove or disable pre-installed applications that you do not use. This will free up RAM and reduce CPU load during idle times.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use Task Killers. In modern versions of Android, they do more harm than good, disrupting the memory management system and increasing battery consumption.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to officially update the Samsung S8 Plus to Android 10 or higher?
No, Samsung has officially stopped supporting this model on Android 9.0 Pie. Further updates are only possible through the installation of custom firmware from third-party developers.
Will banking applications work on the latest version of the software?
Yes, most banking applications continue to work on Android 9, since the minimum requirements of many of them have not yet risen above this version. However, some applications may require a more recent security patch.
Why is the update not received over the air (OTA)?
This may be due to the fact that the device already has the latest available version installed, or the phone was flashed unofficially, or the region (CSC) has been changed. Try checking the update manually in the settings.
Does the Android version affect the speed of your smartphone?
Yes, newer versions of Android often require more resources. For the old S8 Plus hardware, Android 9 is the optimal balance between functionality and performance. Newer versions through custom firmware may work slower.
Is it safe to use a phone without security updates?
This carries increased risks when using public Wi-Fi networks and visiting dubious sites. For basic tasks (calls, music, navigation), the risk is minimal, but for financial transactions you should exercise caution.