NEWS
Bye-Bye Monthly Updates: Galaxy S21 series phone shift to Quarterly plan
Samsung recently released its February 2025 software update details, and there’s a big change for the Galaxy S21 series. Starting in February 2025, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra phones will no longer receive monthly security updates, Instead, they will now get updates quarterly update plan.
This means that users of these phones will now receive software updates every three months instead of every month.
The Korean tech giant has recently announced its revised update schedule for its Galaxy devices with February 2025, which places the Galaxy S21 5G, Galaxy S21+ 5G, and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G in the Monthly Updates to Quarterly update category.
Apart from this, Samsung has also included the recently launched Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra in the monthly security update plan. Also, Galaxy M05 and Galaxy F05 are also listed in the quarterly security update plan. Read more…
Launched in 2021, the Galaxy S21 series phone came with Android 11 pre-installed. Since then, it has received three major Android updates and will receive its last major Android OS upgrade (Android 15). After that, the device will no longer be eligible for additional major Android OS updates. Users will still receive security updates, which will now be delivered every three months.
If you are using the Galaxy S21 series and are thinking of buying a new phone, it might be a good idea to check out the latest models of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. The company introduced the Galaxy S25 series including the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra at Galaxy Unpacked 2025 on January 22. These phones come pre-installed with Android 15-based One UI 7.0. Pre-orders started the same day and the first sale is scheduled for February 7.
The Galaxy S21 series will receive security updates every three months instead of every month. If you want to stay up to date with the latest security and new features, you may want to consider upgrading to a new Samsung Galaxy device.
Samsung is reportedly planning major upgrades for its future Galaxy S27 series. Even though these flagship phones are still far from launch, new leaks have revealed that Samsung is working on the Galaxy S27 Pro alongside the Galaxy S27, Galaxy S27 Plus, and Galaxy S27 Ultra models.
Galaxy S27 Pro leaks
As per the GSMA database Documents, Samsung has three unannounced devices in the pipeline. The database has three model numbers: SM-S956U, SM-S957B/DS, and SM-S958U. According to this, the SM-S956U model number identifies it as the Galaxy S27+, while those for the SM-S957B/DS identify it as the Galaxy S27 Pro, and the SM-S958U lists it as the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
Additionally, the Pro variant phone is expected to resemble the Galaxy S27 Ultra in terms of specifications closely.
In terms of specifications, the Galaxy S27 Pro is expected to feature a more compact design, sporting a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display. There is also talk that it will not include an S Pen.
As for the cameras, this phone could feature a 200MP primary rear camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus, and a 50MP telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom. Additionally, it includes a 12MP front camera for better selfies.
The Galaxy S27 Pro is expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro for Galaxy processor. Additionally, it may come with 12GB or more of RAM and 256GB or more of UFS 5.0 storage. The phone could house a 5,000mAh battery with 45W or faster charging.
Based on previous launch timelines, the Galaxy S27 series is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027. Stay tuned for more facts.
Samsung has reportedly commenced Android 17-based One UI 9 testing for the Galaxy S26 series. The first-ever Android 17 build has surfaced on Samsung’s firmware server, suggesting an early debut of the next One UI version.
An alleged Android 17 firmware has been listed on CheckFirm (via TarunVats) for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. That said, Samsung kicked off its work on the One UI 9 system for the latest flagship nearly two months earlier than usual.
Based on available information, Samsung is currently testing the BZC5 build on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung will take its time to refine this new operating system for Galaxy devices and will not rush the release of the firmware.
Although testing for One UI 9 has commenced early, this does not imply that it will become available to customers any sooner. Samsung will take the necessary time to optimize this new operating system for Galaxy devices and will not rush the firmware release.
On February 25, Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series, and these phones will be available starting March 11. A day later, the company began rolling out Beta 6 for the Galaxy S25 series, but it seems this may not be the last beta before the stable version is released. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 series is still receiving updates through the One UI 8.5 beta program.
Samsung One UI 8.5 beta 7
A reliable tipster, @TarunVats, spotted a new One UI 8.5 beta build for the Galaxy S25 series on testing systems. The build ending in ZZC3 indicates that Samsung is preparing the seventh beta update for the S25 phones. It’s worth noting that this build began rolling out in March, but the patch level is still February 2026.
The new build suggests that the beta program is still active even after the Galaxy S26 series launched with One UI 8.5 features and improvements. Galaxy S25 Users may have to wait a little longer for the final stable update.
The latest One UI 8.5 Beta 6 update fixed many problems and improved the phone’s performance, including Bixby, Gallery, Now Bar, Now Brief, Display settings, Modes, and Routines.
At this time, Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed how many more beta updates will arrive or when the stable One UI 8.5 version will be released for the Galaxy S25 series and older phones. However, the new beta build is a strong indication that at least one more beta update is on the way. Galaxy S25 users who are part of the beta program should keep an eye out for new updates.
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