Galaxy-S25 series: Samsung, where are the software updates? 101 comments
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25 + and S25 have been available since February 7. The new UI 7.0 is based on Android 15 on smartphones – so far. With security patches and Google Play system updates, you wonder why devices are stuck last year almost two weeks after launch.
The editorial team has owned a Galaxy S25 Ultra (test) since the Keynote Unpacked by Galaxy on January 22 and was explicitly pointed out by Samsung that not all new AI-Galaxy AI- features are available on the ready device or work smoothly. A corresponding software update with all new functions was expected at the time by Samsung Germany and the editorial team for the launch.
So far, the Galaxy-S25 series has only received regular app updates from the Google Play Store. The operating system has remained with the corresponding security patch level since receipt on December 1, 2024. In the Google Play system updates, Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S25 + (test) are even on the status of October 1, 2024. Galaxy S25 + has already returned to Samsung, on the Galaxy S25 Ultra version S938BXXU1AYA1 is installed.
No firmware updates for necessary AI features
In the meantime, the editorial team has new knowledge that the full range of functions of the new Galaxy AI features has been fully submitted via app updates, so at least on this point there is no firmware update. At least no features are missing.
Old Google Play security patches and system updates
Nevertheless, it is not understandable why the new flagship series in terms of software updates is currently neglected by Samsung. Security patches from the beginning of December 2024 on Samsung are compared to current patches from February 2025 on a Pixel 9 Pro XL (test) on Google.
This also includes important updates to the Google Play system, which can be distributed to smartphones as part of Project Mainline even without a firmware update. But also on this point, the Galaxy-S25 series is at a very obsolete level with October 1, 2024. Since then, Google has been shut down by Google, sometimes critical security gaps via Google Play system updates.
Samsung was faster once
Samsung’s current approach is unusual in several ways. On the one hand, it has so far been common to get a larger firmware update with new Galaxy S smartphones near the start of the market, which concerns areas such as camera, performance, stability and general bugs. On the other hand, Samsung has become a secure bank for fast and long-term (7 years) updates over the past few years, sometimes in Samsung you were even a few days faster than Google with security patches.
The light on the horizon can currently be seen from Korea. A 600 MB firmware update has been offered there for almost a week. This also includes the current security patches from February of this year. The update is not yet offered on the publisher’s test device, so far it was identical to many users on Reddit. Early adopters from the USA are now also reporting on the preservation of current security patches as part of a new firmware.
Topics: Android Android 15 Samsung Smartphones Source: Own
Sarah tracks innovations in smartphones, evaluating their performance, design, and key features.
