Samsung's Potential Android 15 Disclosure may Disappoint the Majority of Galaxy Users
Samsung's Potential Android 15 Disclosure may Disappoint the Majority of Galaxy Users
Republished on December 27 with fresh info on the alleged Android 15 launch schedule for suitable Galaxy devices.
If the latest speculation is on the money, Samsung's problematic One UI 7 beta still has some unexpected twists in store for Galaxy owners. The beta was overdue, albeit it adds some impressive features. And now as more users eagerly anticipate installing the beta over the coming weeks, they could end up disappointed.
As reported by @familytaes on X, "24 series OneUI 7 beta 3 will be released between 30th~6th (with a margin of error of up to 2 days). Following beta 3, there might be 2-3 more beta builds at most. S23/22/21/A series won't have any beta program." The good news is that the stable release appears to be on track. "The stable rollout schedule will be revealed at Unpacked on January 22 (most likely during the 1st or 2nd week of February)."
Android Authority broke the news with this "unfortunate One UI 7 beta rumor to cast a shadow over your holiday cheer... If this information is accurate, this would represent an unusual One UI beta program from Samsung. The lack of beta software for older Galaxy flagships won't sit well with users who are already dissatisfied with Samsung's delayed Android 15 rollout."
This is regrettable. Samsung's interpretation of Android 15 is promising. And while it won't appeal to all dedicated Samsung and Android fans, as I've previously reported separately, the move towards more stringent restrictions as the default setting, restricting sideloading, and limiting dangerous wireless and physical connections, and closer control over the ecosystem, is commendable given the worsening threat landscape. At least from a security and privacy perspective, Samsung is making progress (to a degree) towards iPhone and distinguishing itself from Pixel.
As with all leaks, there's a major warning here. As Android Authority notes, "it's crucial to remember that more reliable Samsung leakers have yet to validate this rumor." I have reached out to Samsung for any comments on the leak or confirmation of changes to its plans.
When One UI 7 becomes available for your device, whether in beta or the stable release scheduled for release alongside the Galaxy S25 in a few weeks, it will be a game-changer for your phone. Although Samsung took flak for the delays, it seems worth the wait. And you should familiarize yourself with Samsung's and Google's own Android security and privacy updates when you install.
Samsung asserts that with One UI 7, it "amplifies security and privacy in the era of AI, offering users increased transparency and choice," and I think that's a fair assessment. The timing is right for this. You will likely have encountered multiple stories over recent weeks as AI-powered threats start to take a heavy toll on the mobile security landscape. Whether that means more convincing phishing attempts or malware enhanced with AI to avoid detection, the consequences are not positive for users.
Android 15 and One UI 7 will help, particularly with real-time threat detection and tighter controls over installations, downloads, and permission abuse. As such, the lack of a beta (if true) is manageable. What matters more is the timely arrival of the stable release for your device.
A number of delays to other updates in recent months—most notably the One UI 7 beta itself—have left Samsung users concerned as to how quickly the stable Android 15 release will hit their devices.
We won't know for certain for a while, but as SamMobile recently pointed out, "over the past 2-3 years, Samsung has released the stable One UI update before the end of the year. This year, however, the South Korean firm postponed the release of the One UI beta update by three months... At the SDC 2024 event in October, Samsung announced that it would commence rolling out the stable One UI 7.0 update in the first quarter of 2025. It appears that Samsung will stick to its word. However, don't expect all phones in all regions to receive the update simultaneously."
Ironically, the expected release date for One UI 7 coincides with the rerelease of the Galaxy S25, which also seeks to address the patchy update schedule that leaves many Samsung users waiting for updates to arrive on their devices.
Although this won't resolve the region, model, carrier issues that hamper Android updates, the long-overdue implementation of seamless updates at least starts to address the problem and makes it less burdensome for users. What we really want to see is an all-inclusive, everywhere approach, akin to Apple's. But unfortunately, that's not on the horizon yet.
With One UI 7, the additional care and attention might also extend the rollout timeline. "Samsung has been late this year with the release of the new One UI update," SamMobile notes. "The company reportedly wanted a major update with an improved user experience, and it delivered. One UI 7 introduces a significant UI design overhaul." You can check if your device is eligible for the update here.
Android 15 is such a compelling security and privacy overhaul, enhanced by Samsung's One UI wrap, that it's a shame there are delays in making the new OS available for phones—especially new flagships. But it's a game-changer for Android, and there's not much longer to wait now. Just be cautious in the meantime and avoid installing pre-release software or apps from internet or social media sources.
The Twitter user @familytaes predicts that the beta for Samsung's 24 series with One UI 7 will be released between December 30th and January 6th, with no beta program for the S23/22/21/A series. (Samsung vs google, Samsung update, Samsung s22, Samsung s23, Samsung s24)
Despite the delays, Samsung's interpretation of Android 15, focusing on increased security and privacy, is commendable and differentiates it from competitors like iPhone and Pixel. (Samsung, Samsung Android 15)
Android Authority warns that the information about the lack of beta software for older Galaxy flagships should be treated with caution, as it hasn't been confirmed by reliable Samsung leakers. (Samsung, Android authority, warning)
With the rumored release of Android 15 and One UI 7, Samsung's Galaxy S25 could be a game-changer for users, offering improved security and privacy features. (Samsung, Android 15, Samsung s25)
When installing Android 15 and One UI 7, it's essential to be aware of theOS's security and privacy updates and to avoid installing pre-release software or apps from untrusted sources. (Samsung, Android 15, Samsung security and privacy updates)