The Galaxy S-series smartphones are the highest-selling Samsung devices, accounting for millions of units sold worldwide. The company offers these phones with powerful processors, high-quality cameras, large power backup, long software update support, and more. However, one part of these phones isn’t really appreciated by consumers, and it is the phone’s launch date-based rollout priority.
In the past five years, Samsung has drastically changed its software policy for S Series, Foldables, and non-flagship phones. However, it’s the Galaxy S-series that is at the center of all discussions.
Starting with the Galaxy S24, Samsung started offering 7 major OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates. So, we have three Galaxy S-series phones that are part of the 7 major software updates club:
- Galaxy S24 series (2024)
- Galaxy S25 series (2025)
- Galaxy S26 series (2026)
Not to forget, the Galaxy S23 series is eligible for four OS updates. It means this lineup will also get Android 17 (One UI 9).
All of these phones are well-received and praised by consumers. Yet, the same consumers are also criticising the way Samsung is treating their phones as time passes by.
To be specific, Samsung releases One UI beta for three phones, the most recent flagship. Then expand it to the program to the most recent foldables. The next phase includes the S-series from the year before. And the cycle continues in that descending order for all eligible phones.
Now comes the important part. The first phone to enter the beta also receives the first stable update. Since the latter devices entered the beta program on a separate timeline, their beta program will close later. In other words, the rollout dates for devices will vary.
Previous-gen S-series users criticize Samsung for these practices. They say Samsung has reduced the importance of their phones in terms of OS upgrades, even though they paid the same price as the most recent release. They also suggest that all Galaxy S-series phones should get major OS updates together, instead of different dates.
That’s true, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra cost as much as the S26 Ultra, which makes them as important as the other devices. The S23 Ultra, on the other hand, is only $100 less than these three generations. So, basically, all of these customers have paid a high price to buy these phones.
Yet, the first shot at a major update belongs to the most recent flagships. Then, gradually turns its eyes toward other devices.
Why does it happen?
It’s about the development. Samsung has a process of developing the firmware first for the most recent releases. Then move the development toward previous generations based on their release dates.
Though this is a common software development practice among Android smartphone makers, it doesn’t suit the company that claims to be the top smartphone maker in the world.
In fact, it becomes very crucial at a time when Samsung is directly competing against Apple in markets like the U.S. Apple has a long-standing practice of releasing software updates simultaneously for many iPhones. And they’re consistent on that part.
Some argue that Apple releases only three or four phones a year, but Samsung releases many. That’s true, but you can’t put this logic on consumers who care about their own devices, and why should they care about the company’s overall sales? They are buying phones based on their face value.
For example, I have a Galaxy S26 Ultra, and I want the major software updates as soon as they are released. I don’t care about how many flagships or non-flagship phones Samsung has to cover with the latest update; I will only care about my device, and that’s how it is for the majority of consumers.
In reality, the update priority for Galaxy S26 Ultra will start to decline once the S27 hits the market. That cycle will continue with the following release. This can be seen as a potential case of consumer discrimination.
How to fix this problem?
If Samsung cannot provide updates for all of its devices at once, it should at least release the software update for the S-series and Foldable lineups at the same time. Followed by other price categories. If Samsung is running low on developers, hire new ones to maintain the rollout consistency.
Why it should be done
The company should treat these S-series and foldables with equal priority. There are two reasons why it should be done.
First, it provides consumer satisfaction. Seeing their phones getting new updates on time builds brand reputation. It’s an unprompted expression that expands ecosystem awareness from one user to another. That also works as indirect promotion, which is more powerful than paid ads.
Second, if the user has to wait for the release, they will share that experience with other users and other people in their circle. It wasn’t the case before, but consumers have become more aware of what they’re getting for what they’re paying. Therefore, it will leave a bad impression.
Reflecting on the second reason, I’ve seen a bunch of people commenting that Apple provides updates all at once, or my next phone will be an iPhone. These are the most common comments that I’ve come across in different online communities and conversations.
Who knows, they might eventually hold on to their thoughts by the end of their Samsung flagship’s lifespan.
Before that happens, Samsung needs a drastic change in its major updates and release strategy for the Galaxy S-series, its best seller. This is the least improvement consumers are expecting from the company.
The post The Galaxy S-series should get major updates together appeared first on Sammy Fans.
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