Samsung has released a comprehensive list of 38 smartphones and tablets that will benefit from its new three-generation update policy. Galaxy S, Note, and Z from 2019 and 2020, as well as the last two generations of high-end tablets, are on the list. A few Galaxy A’s have even managed to lock-in.
Two weeks ago, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 2, as well as the Galaxy Tab S7 and S7 +. During this virtual conference, known as Unpacked, Samsung promised that very few people could decipher it: offering three “generations” of features and security updates. What does that actually mean? Is the Android kernel involved in this plan? How long exactly? Which smartphones and tablets are affected? It’s up to everyone to make their predictions.
This week, Samsung brings several information to light up our lanterns. The first is the list of smartphones and tablets. The list includes 38 references. Some of its smartphones are just the 5G version of another affected phone. So the list is less impressive than it could have been. But it is still very important. Here are all the details, broken down by family and generation:
Galaxy S20
- Galaxy S20
- Galaxy S20 5G
- Galaxy S20+
- Galaxy S20+ 5G
- Galaxy S20 Ultra
- Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S10
- Galaxy S10
- Galaxy S10+
- Galaxy S10 5G
- Galaxy S10 Lite
- Galaxy S10e
Galaxy Note 20
- Galaxy Note 20
- Galaxy Note 20 5G
- Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
Galaxy Note 10
- Galaxy Note 10
- Galaxy Note 10 5G
- Galaxy Note 10+
- Galaxy Note 10+ 5G
- Galaxy Note 10 Lite
Galaxy Z
- Galaxy Fold
- Galaxy Fold 5G
- Galaxy Z Flip
- Galaxy Z Flip 5G
- Galaxy Z Fold 2
- Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G
Galaxy A
- Galaxy A51
- Galaxy A51 5G
- Galaxy A71
- Galaxy A71 5G
- Galaxy A90 5G
Galaxy Tab S
- Galaxy Tab S7
- Galaxy Tab S7 5G
- Galaxy Tab S7+
- Galaxy Tab S7+ 5G
- Galaxy Tab S6
- Galaxy Tab S6 5G
- Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
Two remarks on this list. The first: all the models affected by this new update policy were marketed from 2019. No 2018 smartphone (like the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy Note 9) will benefit from it. The second remark concerns the ranges. If the most expensive families (S, Z and Note) are obviously present in the list, the range is also. We are particularly surprised to find the Galaxy A51. It is the most affordable model on this list. And it will be as well maintained as a model sold over 5 times the price like the Z Fold 2.
This is three years of updating
In its message, Samsung also specifies the terms of this update policy. The company confirms that the word “generation” does refer to iterations of the Android operating system. Samsung promises that the Galaxy S20 series, released on Android 10, will receive three major updates from Android. It will also be the first affected by the migration to Android 11. This includes system updates, security patches and new features.
The Galaxy S20, for example, will, therefore, move to Android 11. And to Android 12 and 13 later. Samsung adds that some updates will depend on the technical platform of each model. The Galaxy S20 firmware deployment under this version of Android is expected before the end of the year. Then, the other families will be gradually concerned. Samsung promises the wait will be quick.
Finally, the smartphones on this list will be the first to benefit from this new policy. All future Galaxy S, Galaxy Tab S, Galaxy Note, and Galaxy Z will be covered by the same warranty, with no exceptions. As for the next Galaxy A, they will not all be affected. But the presence of the Galaxy A51 is encouraging for mid-range models, even if the successor to this smartphone is not necessarily guaranteed to benefit from it.