Samsung is famous for delivering Android updates quickly, and Samsung devices often get more OS upgrades than Google’s Pixel phones. The company is on track to deliver Android 14-based One UI 6 earlier than expected, as promised in the One UI 5 beta program in early August. It took nearly two months for the stable version of Android 13 to be released after Google released it.
Samsung offers four generations of One UI and Android OS upgrades and five years of security patches. In contrast, Google’s Pixel phones are limited to only three years of Android OS upgrades, while Samsung offers four years of Android OS upgrades.
Fifteen per cent of Android users are still using Android 1 devices, and Samsung devices are the top contenders in terms of market share. Samsung’s large market share played a major role in increasing the market share of Android 13 by updating all its eligible devices.
Galaxy S23 to Get Android 14 Beta in Mid-July
Samsung is planning to release the Android 14 update for Galaxy smartphones soon. The beta version is expected to be available to Galaxy S23 users in mid-July, and the stable version in October. The beta version will allow users to test new features and report bugs.
The One UI 6 was internally tested for three of Samsung’s best phones, including the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Fold Z, and Flip 4. The Android 14 update is expected to be even faster in 2023, and Samsung plans to work with Google to make the most of user feedback to deliver on its promise with One UI 6.
Although the Galaxy S23 series is expected to be the first to join the upcoming Android 14 One UI 6.0 beta program, the company has not yet revealed any dates. The beta program will be available only in selected countries. The company previously brought the beta program to seven markets in Asia, Europe, and North America. These seven markets are expected to remain unchanged for the One UI 6 beta, while the beta program is scheduled to be open to participants in China, Germany, India, Poland, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Users must register through the Samsung Member application on their devices to participate. The One UI beta program is voluntary; users must enrol to install the beta software. The beta software will be available only for specific devices, OS versions, and countries.
According to some sources, Samsung is already testing the early build of the Android 14 update, which is approximately two months ahead of schedule. Samsung controls access to the beta via the Samsung Members app, which is region-specific. Even if you can’t participate in the beta program, you can still read an extensive preview of the beta software on the Galaxy S23.
Samsung has yet to expand the beta market availability to other countries despite unifying CSC for European variants about two years ago. Before installing the beta software, users must ensure all applications on their devices are updated to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues.
One UI 6 Custom Skin Based on Android 14
Samsung is working on an update for its OneUI version that includes new features like improved handling of background apps, partial screen recording, and more options for customizing the lock screen. Android 14 will also bring new customization capabilities, privacy, and security upgrades to Samsung’s Galaxy devices.
Based on user feedback, the program aims to create a better and more reliable operating system and user experience for Samsung devices. Some of the new features include:
- Improved handling of background apps
- Partial screen recording
- Moving content between apps without opening them first
- Saving app pairs for faster multitasking
- More options for customizing the lock screen
Google plans to release the official version of Android 14 in August, similar to its timeline for Android 13. The stable version is expected to roll out to most compatible high-end smartphones before the end of this year. Although Samsung has not announced the exact date for the beta program, it is expected to start in August or September. Whether the beta program will be available in the Netherlands and Belgium is still determined.
Samsung Begins Testing Android 14 Beta with New Material You Colours
Samsung is currently working on its version of Android 14, One UI 6.0, and is testing its app in advance of the release. Samsung’s Calculator app supports Android 14’s API level, indicating that the Android 14 release might be close. The Android development cycle provides some information about the Android 14 update, but Samsung might make changes and only include some features for some devices.
Google has released Android 14 Beta 1, but only for Pixel smartphones. We expect Samsung’s devices to receive the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update sometime in Q4 2023. Typically, Samsung rolls out a beta build of the latest Android version soon after Google’s final release.
This update includes the following features:
- New Colour Palette Option: The new Fidelity style uses bolder colours. Users can choose their wallpaper and apply it to other parts of the system, such as the app drawer, notification shade, and quick settings.
- Improved Background App Handling: Samsung is collaborating with Google to improve this behaviour in Android 14, resulting in better performance and battery life for Samsung’s devices.
Samsung plans to add at least one new option to its Colour Palette feature in One UI 6, which will likely be the Fidelity style recently added to Android 14. The company is also working with Google to improve the handling of background apps in Android 14.
The company has streamlined its software update policies, making many devices eligible for up to four Android OS upgrades. This means even models up to three years old will receive the update. The devices eligible for the Android 14 One UI 6.0 update include the Galaxy Z, S, A, M, F, Tab, and XCover. The company also expects a refreshed UI and a new feature from One UI 6.0.
One UI 6.0 is coming soon with many new features, like Read Text Loud, Samsung Note, Samsung Messages, S-Pen, Samsung Health, Modes and Routines, and more. Other features include Ultra HDR, Drag-and-Drop capabilities, a Better Dynamic Palette, Video Upgrade, Improved Eye of Darkness, Separate Live Wallpapers, Improved compatibility brightness, Emoji-based Wallpapers, App Lock, One UI Start animation, and more.
Some specific improvements include:
- New Back arrow for gesture navigation: This makes it easier to return while using apps and looks nicer, too.
- Custom Sharing Actions: This makes sharing things from within apps easier, with more options available.
- Pre-app language preference: You can now set a different language for each app, which can be helpful if you speak multiple languages or need to use a different language for various tasks.
- More Secure Accessibility Service: This will only give access to specific views if they claim to help users with disabilities.
- Option to show or hide weather information on the lock screen: You can choose whether or not to see weather information on your lock screen.
- Transparent navigation bar: App developers can make the navigation bar transparent or change its colour to match their app’s theme.
- More detailed battery health statistics: Android 14 will provide more detailed information about battery health, like battery charge cycle count, charging policy, and state of health.
The beta program for One UI 6, which is based on Android 14, is expected to launch in or around September 2023.
Samsung devices Eligible for OneUI 6.0
Samsung plans to release the official version of Android 14 by August 2023. The latest Galaxy S23 Series is expected to be the first to receive the Android-14-based custom Skin One UI 6.0 update by the end of this year.
Eligible devices will receive the update after the Galaxy S23 Series. However, users should not expect any updates regarding Android 14 before Google’s official announcements. The update will be available, and the stable update will be available for the Galaxy S23 Series, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, and the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
List of Samsung Devices That Won’t Get Android 14 and One UI 6.0
Samsung has a policy of supporting its devices with software updates for several years. Unfortunately, some popular Galaxy devices will not receive the One UI 6.0 (Android 14) update. These include the Galaxy S10 Lite, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy S20, Galaxy Note 10 Lite, Galaxy A33, Galaxy A53, Galaxy A73, and some older models. However, these devices will still receive security updates for a while longer.
If your device is not listed above, you are likely eligible for Android 14 and One UI 6. The schedule for Android 14 Beta for the Galaxy S23 doesn’t seem to deviate much from last year’s rollout of Android 13. The official public update will follow a few months later, starting in October for the S23 and most other Samsung phones that get the update in the months after.
Galaxy S10 Series
- Galaxy S10 Lite
Galaxy S20 Series
- Galaxy S20 FE
- Galaxy S20
- Galaxy S20+
- Galaxy S20 Ultra
Galaxy Note 10 Series
- Galaxy Note 10 Lite
- Galaxy Note 20
- Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Galaxy Z Flip/Fold Series
- Galaxy Z Flip (LTE/5G)
- Galaxy Z Fold 2
Galaxy A Series
- Galaxy A22 (LTE/5G)
- Galaxy A32 (LTE/5G)
- Galaxy A51
- Galaxy A71
Galaxy Tab Series
- Galaxy Tab A8
- Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2020)
- Galaxy Tab S7
- Galaxy Tab S7+
One UI Watch 5 Beta Delayed
The release of One UI Watch 5 Beta, which was supposed to happen in May, has been delayed. Samsung has not provided any further details about the delay, but it will likely make its first appearance in July.
One UI Watch 5 is significantly improved over the current version found on the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 Series. Samsung may be working on additional features for the One UI Watch 5 Beta program, which includes a focus on sleep health and management, sleep insight, and sleep coaching to help users build healthy sleeping habits. It also creates a personalized heart rate zone during the running experience.
Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 can enrol to test the latest software before the broad, stable release via the One UI Watch Beta Program. Samsung has a dedicated Galaxy Watch called One UI Watch, based on Google’s WearOS. It will be available for the Galaxy Watch 4, the Galaxy Watch 5, and the upcoming Galaxy Watch Series members. Other Galaxy Watches will not be eligible for the update. The new UI will come pre-installed on the soon-to-launch Galaxy Watch 6.