Title: Updating Your Galaxy: What's New for S24, S23, S22, and S21, and a Twist for S25
Samsung has unveiled details of its initial security update for 2025, merging the latest Android fixes and a plethora of its own enhancements. Luckily, no alarming attack warnings have surfaced so far. However, the usual gradual rollout will unfold, with devices lined up by model, region, and carrier, causing frustration among users who observe Apple's universal updates with a hint of envy.
A pressing concern is the prolonged deployment of December's security patches to some devices. This situation seems unlikely to change, affecting the monthly schedule of flagships, including the S21, S22, S23, and future S24, which is set to be replaced by the S25 this month.
Intriguing developments await the S25 launch, with rumors of Samsung introducing seamless updates for the first time, emulating Pixel's long-available A/B system. This feature allows devices to download updates in the background, and initiate the installation after a simple reboot.
Android 15 boasts a broad spectrum of new security advancements, including several pioneered by Samsung. The objective is to close the gap between Samsung and Apple's security and privacy standards, while also pushing the boundaries of Galaxy AI, aspiring to surpass Apple Intelligence.
Samsung's January update highlights five critical updates to Android's fundamental system, with one of the most significant potentially allowing proximal code execution without needing additional execution privileges. Apart from these, other significant fixes, for both Android and Samsung, carry high severity, but their potential for exploitation is contingent on their discovery and compromise before patch deployment.
Although Samsung has not disclosed any critical updates of its own this month, it has cryptically hinted that some January update items will remain undisclosed at present. This eyecatching news could suggest more significant notifications on the horizon.
Notably, users running the S25's One UI 7 beta will be first in line for the January update, with flagship devices expected to follow soon, commencing possibly with the S24. The Galaxy S25, anticipated to debut on or around January 22, remains the center of abiding anticipation.
As for the S25 series, it is slated to incorporate several advancements in security, AI capabilities, and design. The updated lineup will feature a powerful Personal Data Engine, on-device AI processing, camera enhancements, larger displays, and a Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass coating to ensure enhanced durability. With its time-honored commitment to software updates, the S25 series guarantees seven years of forthcoming software updates, ensuring users will continue to avail of the latest Android versions and security patches.
The upcoming Samsung S25 is rumored to introduce seamless updates, emulating Google's Pixel's A/B system, allowing for background downloads and simple reboot installations (samsung s25, pixel's A/B system).
Android 15, set to be integrated in the S25, promises advanced security features, aiming to bridge the gap between Samsung and Apple's security and privacy standards (android 15, security advancements).
Samsung's Galaxy AI, a part of the Galaxy S25, aims to surpass Apple Intelligence with its innovative technologies (galaxy ai, surpass apple intelligence).
In the Samsung CES 2025, it is expected that Samsung will showcase the S25's features and improvements, potentially causing a shift in the Samsung vs iPhone competition (samsung ces, s25 features).