Samsung Galaxy Android 12 Update Info (2023)

Samsung’s still pushing its Android 12 and One UI 4 updates to Galaxy users which means we’re seeing questions about the release. We’ll answer as many as we can in this guide.

The company’s Android 13 and One UI 5 update is out for select models but Samsung’s still rolling out its version of Android 12 and One UI 4 to some devices.

While Samsung has answered a lot of questions, some continue to linger. To help, we’ve put together a Samsung Galaxy Android 12 roadmap using confirmed information, rumors and traditions.

This roadmap will help you set proper expectations as we push toward Samsung’s next Android 12/One UI release for Galaxy devices.

• Samsung Galaxy March Update
• Samsung Galaxy Android 12: What’s New
• Will My Device Get Android 12?
• Samsung Galaxy Android 12 Release Date
• Samsung Galaxy Android 13 Update

In this guide we’re going to take you through what you should know about Android 12 if you currently own, or if you’re planning to buy a Galaxy S21, Galaxy S20, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S10, Galaxy Tab S7, or another Samsung device.

We’ll take you through what we know about Android 12’s features, the Android 12 release date, and everything else Samsung owners need to know as we push through the year.

Samsung Galaxy March Update

Samsung has deployed its March update and the software is moving out to Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra models in select regions.

You can learn more about the contents of Samsung’s March update, and its other monthly updates, over on the company’s security website.

As a reminder, here’s the current breakdown of Samsung’s current Android security update coverage. Samsung updates this list fairly regularly and we’ve seen a number of changes occur in recent months.

Current Models for Monthly Security Updates

• Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, Galaxy Z Flip4, W23, W23 flip
• Galaxy S10 Lite
• Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20+ 5G, Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy S20 FE 5G, Galaxy S21 5G, Galaxy S21+ 5G, Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Galaxy Note10 Lite, Galaxy Note20, Galaxy Note20 5G, Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
• Enterprise Models: Galaxy A52, Galaxy A52 5G, Galaxy A52s 5G, Galaxy A53 5G, Galaxy Xcover Pro, Galaxy Xcover5, Galaxy Xcover6 Pro

Current Models for Quarterly Security Updates

• Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 5G
• Galaxy Note10, Galaxy Note10 5G, Galaxy Note10+, Galaxy Note10+ 5G
• Galaxy A40
• Galaxy A02, Galaxy A22, Galaxy A22e 5G, Galaxy A22 5G, Galaxy A32, Galaxy A32 5G, Galaxy A72, Galaxy A82 5G
• Galaxy A03, Galaxy A03s, Galaxy A03 core, Galaxy A13, Galaxy A13 5G, Galaxy A23, Galaxy A23 5G, Galaxy A33 5G, Galaxy A73 5G
• Galaxy A04, Galaxy A04s, Galaxy A04e, Galaxy A14 5G
• Galaxy M21 2021, Galaxy M12, Galaxy M22, Galaxy M32, Galaxy M32 5G, Galaxy M42 5G, Galaxy M52 5G, Galaxy M62, Galaxy M13, Galaxy M23 5G, Galaxy M33 5G, Galaxy M53 5G, Galaxy M04
• Galaxy F12, Galaxy F22, Galaxy F42 5G, Galaxy F52 5G, Galaxy F62, Galaxy F13, Galaxy F04
• Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, Galaxy Tab A8, Galaxy Tab Active Pro, Galaxy Tab Active3, Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro
• Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Galaxy Tab S7, Galaxy Tab S7 FE, Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+, Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
• Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Fold 5G, W22 5G
• Enterprise Models: Galaxy A50, Galaxy XCover4s, Galaxy Xcover FieldPro

Current Models for Biannual Security Updates

• Galaxy A10, Galaxy A10e, Galaxy A10s, Galaxy A20, Galaxy A20e, Galaxy A20s, Galaxy A30, Galaxy A30s, Galaxy A50s, Galaxy A60, Galaxy A70, Galaxy A70s, Galaxy A80, Galaxy A90 5G
• Galaxy A01, Galaxy A01 Core, Galaxy A11, Galaxy A21, Galaxy A21s, Galaxy A31, Galaxy A41, Galaxy A51, Galaxy A51 5G, Galaxy A71, Galaxy A71 5G
• Galaxy A02s, Galaxy A12, Galaxy A42 5G
• Galaxy M10, Galaxy M10s, Galaxy M20, Galaxy M30, Galaxy M30s, Galaxy M40, Galaxy M01, Galaxy M11, Galaxy M21, Galaxy M31, Galaxy M31s, Galaxy M51
• Galaxy Tab A 8 (2019), Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019), Galaxy Tab A with S pen, Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020), Galaxy Tab A7
• Galaxy Tab S5e, Galaxy Tab S6, Galaxy Tab S6 5G, Galaxy Tab S7+
• W20 5G, W21 5G

Samsung confirmed plans to keep select Galaxy phones and tablets updated with security patches for four years. A more recent announcement states that the company plans to keep some models updated for five years.

The company says by “extending support for security updates delivered on a monthly or quarterly basis, Samsung is giving users peace of mind knowing their data is protected for as long as they use their Galaxy device.”

So while some devices won’t get upgraded to Android 12, they’ll still get regular, and in some cases irregular, security updates in 2023 and beyond.

Of course, Samsung says that availability of “security updates may vary by device and market” and that its lists of security update models are subject to change and will be reviewed on a periodic basis.

Samsung Galaxy Android 12: What’s New

Samsung’s version of Android 12 looks different than the version Google’s released for Pixel devices because it utilizes the company’s One UI.

The company’s One UI upgrades typically deliver design changes, enhancements to older features, and features for newer and older devices alike.

Here’s the full Android 12/One UI 4 change log:

• Home screen
  • Home screen widgets have been redesigned to give you more information at a glance while also making your Home screen more stylish. You’ll also get recommendations for widgets that may be useful for you.
• Lock screen
  • You can now change the audio output to a different device, such as headphones or a speaker, right from the Lock screen. You’ll also get customized controls depending on which music app you’re using.
  • A new Voice Recorder widget for the Lock screen lets you record voice memos without unlocking your phone.
  • A monthly calendar appears on the Calendar widget to help you keep track of your events from the lock screen.
• Always On Display
  • You can set the Always On Display turn on whenever you receive a notification.
  • New animated stickers are available.
• Quick panel
  • Manage your notifications more comfortably with an enhanced layout and an integrated section of alert and silent notifications.
  • The brightness bar in the quick panel is larger so it’s easier to see and adjust.
• Dark mode
  • Wallpapers, icons, and illustrations are now darkened automatically to provide a more consistent look and more comfort for your eyes.
• Charging effects
  • New visual effects appear when you start charging to help you check the charging speed.
• Samsung Keyboard
  • Get to your emojis, GIFs, and stickers directly from the keyboard with a single button. Self-expression is a tap away.
  • Looking to express something new? Combine two emojis, then add an animation so you can really get your feelings across.
  • New animated stickers are available for download.
  • Keep your grammar and spelling on point with the new Writing assistant, powered by Grammarly (English only).
• Tips
  • Preview videos now appear when you enter the Tips app, helping you learn everything your Galaxy can do.
• Sharing
  • You can customize the list of apps that appear on the share panel to reduce clutter, and scroll left and right across the lists of apps and people for quicker access.
  • When you try to share pictures that have problems like poor focus or framing, you’ll get suggestions for fixing them, so your pictures always look their best.

• Camera
  • Enjoy a simpler, clearer layout with a preview that shows only the information you need. The scene optimizer button will only appear in Photo mode if there’s low light or you’re scanning a document. Settings for Portrait and Night modes are now more intuitive.
  • Lens and zoom: See the zoom level on the lens icons for easier zooming, even in modes that only support one lens.
  • Video that never misses a moment: Recording now starts immediately after you tap the Record button, instead when you release it. In Photo mode, touch and hold the Shutter button to start recording a video. Drag your finger to the Lock icon to continue recording without having to hold down the button.
  • Single take: Add extra time while recording in Single Take, so you don’t miss important moments. After the recording is finished, the content selection menu has been improved to help you easily choose the perfect shots.
  • Pro mode: Settings have been reorganized for a cleaner look. When grid lines are on, horizontal level indicators help you line up the perfect shot.
  • Enhanced scan features: After scanning a document, you can zoom in for fine editing. When you scan a QR code. you can choose from several options depending on the type of QR code.
• Gallery
  • Stories now show a video preview on the cover and a highlight video inside. You can also see where each picture in a story was taken on a map.
  • More options are available for sorting albums that contain lots of photos.
  • Album covers are now shown at the top of the screen when you open albums.
  • Search suggestions have been improved to help you find pictures and videos. Recent searches are also suggested.
  • Remastered pictures can be reverted to their original versions at any time, even after they’re saved.
  • You can now edit the date, time, and location that pictures and videos were taken.
• Photo and video editor
  • Add fun emojis and stickers to your pictures and videos.
  • Create video collages by combining multiple images and videos from your Gallery.
  • The new Light balance option lets you edit the tone of pictures more easily.
  • The Highlight reel editor has also been enhanced to give you even more control.
  • Revert edited videos back to their original versions at any time, even after they’re saved. •
  • Cut out a face, pet, building, or any other object from a photo and paste it onto a different one.
• AR Emoji
  • Use an AR emoji as your profile picture in Contacts and Samsung account. You can choose from over 10 poses or create your own expressions.
  • New AR emoji stickers that show only your face has been added. Have fun decorating your photos and sharing them with your friends.
  • Make cool dance videos with your AR emojis. Choose templates from 10 different categories, including #Fun, #Cute, and #Party.
  • Use your own drawings to create unique clothes for AR emojis.
• Multitasking
  • Pin the window options menu to the top of a pop-up window to make it easier to access.
  • Easily resize picture-in-picture windows with pinch zoom.
  • Keep your current app in view while using edge panels. Blurring has been removed to help you see more at once.
• Settings
  • The new Safety and emergency menu lets you manage your emergency contacts and safety information all in one place.
  • Improved search features help you find the settings you need when you need them. You’ll get suggestions for related features depending on what you search for.
• Digital Wellbeing
  • Keep your eyes on the road with the new Driving monitor. You’ll get reports on how much you used your phone and which apps you used.
• Clock
  • The dual clock widget now shows different background colors for each city depending on whether it’s day or night.
• Calendar
  • The new Calendar layout lets you add events instantly. You can also find events more easily with improved search features.
  • A new Home screen widget shows your monthly calendar along with today’s events.
  • Create shared calendars and invite other Galaxy users to join.
• Messages
  • Photos, videos, web links, and other content will now appear in search results in the Messages app.
• My Files
  • Search features have been improved. You can still find the files you’re looking for, even if there’s a typo.
  • The Recent files area has been expanded to help you more easily find files you’ve used recently.
• Samsung Internet
  • Get more search suggestions when you enter text in the address bar. Results will appear with an all-new design.
  • The new search widget helps you find what you’re looking for right from the Home screen.
  • To protect your privacy, Samsung Internet will automatically start in Secret mode if you were using Secret mode during your last browsing session.
• Device Care
  • The main screen shows battery and security issues, making it easier to solve problems quickly.
  • Your phone’s overall status is shown as an emoji, helping you check the status at a glance.
  • Now you can get right to Samsung Members diagnostics from Device Care. If something seems wrong with your phone, try the diagnostic tests to find out what the problem is and get suggestions for solving it.
• Samsung Health
  • A new tab layout at the bottom of the screen helps you access the features you need more easily.
  • The new My page tab shows your profile, weekly summary, badges, and personal bests.
  • For your gender selection, you can now choose “Other” or “Prefer not to say.”
  • It’s now easier to invite your friends to team challenges by sending a link.
  • Additional snacks have been added to the food tracker.
• Bixby Routines
  • More conditions are available for your routines. Start a routine during a call or when a certain notification arrives.
  • Make your routines do more. You can now turn on Enhanced processing with a routine. There are also more options for connecting and disconnecting Bluetooth devices.
  • Reorder actions by touching and holding actions on the edit page. Advanced options have also been added to let you wait before action starts, confirm actions, and more.
  • We’ve removed restrictions for some combinations of conditions and actions so you can do even more with your routines.
  • Create custom icons for your routines using the Camera or an image from Gallery.
• Accessibility
  • Perform actions more quickly by moving your mouse pointer to one of the 4 corners of the screen.
  • Adjust contrast and size at the same time with custom Display mode (High contrast or Large display).
  • Access accessibility features more quickly with a floating button that’s always available.
  • More visibility options are available to meet your needs. You can reduce transparency and blur or make the screen extra dim.
  • Set different colors for each app’s notifications so you can easily determine where notifications are coming from.
  • The Magnifier window has been merged with the new Magnification menu, giving you more options and more control for magnifying content on the screen.
• Privacy
  • See which apps are accessing sensitive permissions such as Location, Camera, or Microphone in Permission usage history. You can deny permissions for any apps you don’t feel comfortable with.
  • A green dot will appear in the upper right corner of the screen when any app is using the camera or microphone so you can see if an app is recording you without your consent. You can also use quick panel controls to temporarily block all apps from using the camera or microphone.
  • Take more control over apps that want to access your location. For apps that only need to know your general area, such as weather apps, you can allow access to your approximate location so they can’t determine exactly where you are.
  • Sometimes you need to copy sensitive information, like passwords or credit card numbers, but you don’t want it to fall into the wrong hands. You can choose to be notified any time an app accesses content copied to the clipboard in another app.

These Galaxy Devices Will Get Android 12

Samsung used to keep Galaxy phones and tablets updated with major Android software updates for two years. Fortunately, the company has come to its senses and changed that policy.

The company says it’s now committed to providing three to four years of major software upgrades going forward. This is obviously a huge development as it means Galaxy owners can hold onto their devices for a lot longer.

Initially, it looked like this change would only apply to higher profile devices, but according to Samsung, lengthier support will be extended to other devices as well. Here’s the full list:

• Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy S20+ 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20 5G, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 Lite, and newer devices.
• Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy Note 20 5G, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 10+ 5G, Galaxy Note 10+, Galaxy Note 10 5G, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10 Lite, and newer devices.
• Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Fold 5G, Galaxy Fold, and newer Z series devices.
• Galaxy A71 5G, Galaxy A71, Galaxy A51 5G, Galaxy A51, Galaxy A90 5G, and newer A series devices.
• Galaxy Tab S7+ 5G, Galaxy Tab S7+, Galaxy Tab S7 5G, Galaxy Tab S7, Galaxy Tab S6 5G, Galaxy Tab S6, Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, and newer Tab S series devices.

If your device is on this list, and you haven’t received an update yet, you should get Android 12/One UI 4 in 2023. If it isn’t, you may find yourself (officially) stuck on Android 11.

If Samsung hasn’t confirmed Android 11 for your phone or tablet, you won’t get upgraded to Android 12. That means devices like the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 will get left behind.

Samsung Galaxy Android 12 Release Date

When will Samsung release its Android 12 updates? Let’s start with what we know. Samsung has pushed the Android 12/One UI 4 update to the following devices:

• Galaxy S21
• Galaxy S21+
• Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Galaxy Z Fold 3
• Galaxy Z Flip 3
• Galaxy S20
• Galaxy S20+
• Galaxy S20 Ultra
• Galaxy S20 FE
• Galaxy S20 FE 4G
• Galaxy Note 20
• Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
• Galaxy S10
• Galaxy S10+
• Galaxy S10e
• Galaxy S10 5G
• Galaxy S10 Lite
• Galaxy Note 10
• Galaxy Note 10+
• Galaxy Note 10 Lite
• Galaxy Z Fold 2
• Galaxy Fold
• Galaxy Fold 5G
• Galaxy Z Flip
• Galaxy A90 5G
• Galaxy A72
• Galaxy A71
• Galaxy A71 5G
• Galaxy A52
• Galaxy A52 5G
• Galaxy A52s
• Galaxy A52s 5G
• Galaxy A51
• Galaxy A42 5G
• Galaxy A42
• Galaxy A41
• Galaxy A32 5G
• Galaxy A32
• Galaxy A31
• Galaxy A22
• Galaxy A22 5G
• Galaxy A21
• Galaxy A21s
• Galaxy A13 5G
• Galaxy A12
• Galaxy A12 Nacho
• Galaxy A11
• Galaxy A03
• Galaxy A03s
• Galaxy A02s
• Galaxy A01
• Galaxy A Quantum
• Galaxy F41
• Galaxy F22
• Galaxy F12
• Galaxy M62
• Galaxy M52 5G
• Galaxy M51
• Galaxy M31
• Galaxy M31s
• Galaxy M22
• Galaxy M21
• Galaxy M12
• Galaxy M11
• Galaxy M01
• Galaxy Tab S7
• Galaxy Tab S7+
• Galaxy Tab S7 FE
• Galaxy Tab S6
• Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
• Galaxy Tab A8
• Galaxy Tab A7
• Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
• Galaxy Tab Active 3

Samsung Galaxy Android 13 Update

Samsung’s launched its Android 13/One UI 5 update for select Galaxy devices.

The software is rolling out to a number of Galaxy smartphones and tablets including the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S10 Lite, Galaxy Note 10 Lite, and many others.

It’s important to note that some devices won’t get upgraded to Android 13 and One UI 5. Devices like the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10e are at the end of their software support rope so they won’t move to Android 13.

For more about Samsung’s version of Android 13, check out our guide.

Wait for Design Changes

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Last year, Apple introduced a brand new pill-shaped notch the company calls Dynamic Island. Unfortunately, this change is only available on the company's high-end iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. That will likely change this year. Analyst Ross Young believes Apple could bring Dynamic Island to the lower-end iPhone 15 models. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman does as well. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the iPhone 15's proximity sensor will be integrated into Dynamic Island. The proximity sensor on the iPhone 14 Pro models is under the display outside of Dynamic Island. This could lead to Face ID improvements. This might give some of you considering Apple's iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus a reason to hold out and wait for the new models. On the flip side, Young doesn't think the standard iPhone 15 models will get 120Hz/LTPO like the iPhone 15 Pro models. This has been backed up by another source who says the iPhone 15/iPhone 15 Plus won't get ProMotion and Always-On display capabilities.  We've heard the the iPhone 15 Max's design will be made out of titanium as opposed to stainless steel. The frame supposedly has a brushed finish. In a tweet, a prominent leaker says the iPhone 15 Pro models will "have thinner bezels" with curved edges. The display is reportedly still flat, however. ShrimpApplePro says additional sources now agree with the information and that the bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro models will indeed be thinner. In a tweet, well-known leaker Ice Universe says the iPhone 15 Pro Max will break the record for thinnest bezels on a smartphone. The record is currently held by the Xiaomi 13.  In a follow up tweet, he's shown off what are evidently glass displays and third-party screen protectors for the iPhone 15 series.  Analyst Jeff Pu from Haitong International Securities also believes the company is working to deliver a new titanium design. So does Gurman. In a report Gurman says the iPhone 15 Pro models could be about 10% lighter than their predecessors thanks to the new design.  We've also heard the iPhone 15 Pro will have a new mute button that replaces the switch. This "Action" button could work like it does on the Apple Watch Ultra in that it will allow users to map it to different functions. This new addition has seemingly been confirmed by the iOS 17 beta.

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