The first week of September was a fast one for software updates across the Android world. Every big name in the industry from Samsung and Google, to even Microsoft and the estranged Huawei brand is bringing updates to their respective smartphones and tablets in the second week.
Have you been sieving through the internet to find out if you've been fortunate enough to get an update that fixes an existing problem on your device or offers new features? We're here to do the dirty work, so you don't have to go through the trouble. Read on to find out more!
Devices Lined Up for Today
Samsung
Galaxy Z Flip3, Z Fold3, & Older Foldables
Galaxy Note 9
Android 12 out for Galaxy A03s
Galaxy S20 FE 5G & Galaxy S21
Galaxy Tab S7 Series
Google Pixel
Microsoft
Surface Duo and Duo 2
Huawei
Huawei Nova Y70
Huawei P40 Lite
Realme
Realme Pro 9
Now that we've listed the devices and brands above for you to easily find yours, time to dive head first into the list!
Samsung
Galaxy Z Flip3, Z Fold3, & Older Foldables Get Android 12L
Samsung is now pushing out the highly anticipated OneUI 4.1.1 update packed with Android 12L to the older lineup of foldable, being the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Z Fold3.
The update has a file size of 1.5GB and includes a number of improvements for folding phones, including better multitasking with a new taskbar and options to change the call background, improve search, and modify motion smoothness. Also included is the security patch from August 1.
The new software will also be released for the Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 2, and Galaxy Z Flip.
The new taskbar, which instantly appears when you are in the app drawer or on the applications screen so you can easily go from one app to another app, start apps in split-screen mode, and store and open your favorite split-screen pairs, is one of Android 12L and OneUI 4.1.1's most significant new features.
Galaxy Note 9 Update Cycles Comes to an End
Samsung is now officially discontinuing the Galaxy Note 9. There won't be any more software updates for the smartphone. Yesterday, the South Korean company announced the September 2022 security patch's information. It lists the devices it actively supports on its website. It deleted the Galaxy Note 9 while adding more recent gadgets like the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to the list.
The Galaxy Note 9 won't even receive security upgrades from Samsung as a result. The smartphone, which runs Android 8.1 Oreo, was introduced in August of last year, four years ago. It received the Android 9 upgrade in 2019 and the One UI 2.5 update, which was based on Android 10, in 2020. Later, the phone kept receiving yearly updates.
The Galaxy Note 10 series was likewise demoted to quarterly upgrades by the South Korean company. Security patches for the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ were previously released every month. However, going forward, Samsung will only update these phones' security once every three months. These phones came equipped with Android 9 when they were released in August 2019.
The Android 10 upgrade for the Galaxy Note 10 series arrived in early 2020, followed by updates for One UI 3 based on Android 11 in early 2021 and One UI 4 based on Android 12 earlier this year. However, it won't receive the Android 13 upgrade.
Android 12 is out for Galaxy A03s
The Galaxy A03s began receiving the Android 12 upgrade a few months ago. At the time, Samsung had only made the update available for the device's international model. The unlocked Galaxy A03s now got the Android 12 upgrade thanks to the firm.
The Galaxy A03s receives the Android 12 update with firmware version A037U1UEU2BVH2 in the US. It is accessible on practically all of the nation's carrier networks, including AT&T, Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular South, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Xfinity Mobile, and it includes the July 2022 security patch.
The Galaxy A03s now has One UI Core 4.1 thanks to the Android 12 upgrade. It has a revamped widget picker UI and a refreshed user interface with an improved Dark Mode.
Galaxy S20 FE 5G & Galaxy S21 Get New Updates
On top of Android 12 and One UI, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and the Galaxy S21trio get the September 2022 security patch.
According to reports, the release of the Galaxy S21 series security patch for September 2022 has begun in Germany. The Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra's respective firmware versions are G991BXXS5CVHI, G996BXXS5CVHI, and G998BXXS5CVHI. As expected, there are simply performance and security improvements and fixes to discuss.
Early in October 2020, Samsung announced the Galaxy S20 FE, which came pre-installed with Android 10. (personalized with One UI 2.1). The G781BXXU4FVI1 firmware version, which is based on Android 12/One UI 4.1, is currently rolling out for the 5G variant in Europe. The security fix for the 4G version ought to be applied this week.
Galaxy Tab S7 Series Gets Android 12L
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 was the first Samsung handset to ship with One UI 4.1.1 software built on top of Android 12L. The One UI 4.1.1 upgrade for Android 12L was first made available to the Galaxy Tab S8 series a few days after the introduction. The Galaxy Tab S7 series has now received the update.
The Galaxy Tab S7's One UI 4.1.1 update for Android 12L has the firmware version T870XXU2CVH3, while the Galaxy Tab S7 update has the firmware version T970XXU2CVH3. The new version has already been made accessible in France and South Korea, and it will soon be made available in additional nations. The August 2022 security patch, which addresses a number of security and privacy flaws, is also included in the updated software.
First Android 13 Out for Pixel Devices
Google's upgrade comes as the first fix for all compatible Google Pixel phones since the release of Android 13's public beta. There are numerous improvements included in this version for problems caused by the Android 13 release. Pixel 4 (4 XL), 4a, 4a (5G), Pixel 5, 5a, Pixel 6, and 6 Pro are currently receiving this month's update with the build number TP1A.220905.004.
The patch will address the excessive battery drain brought on by specific wallpapers and resolve a problem wherein wireless charging would occasionally fail to activate. Additionally, there are fixes for the fingerprint reader, a Bluetooth connectivity issue that occasionally prevented some devices from connecting, and a glitch that prevented some notifications from displaying correctly.
Microsoft
Surface Duo and Duo 2 Get September Security Updates
New firmware updates from Microsoft have been made available for its dual-screen Android smartphones. The September 2022 update for the Surface Duo first and second generations is currently available for download. Sadly, there are no brand-new features, device-specific upgrades, or noteworthy updates this time.
What's in the changelog is as follows:
The scenarios covered by this upgrade are those listed in the Android Security Bulletin—September 2022.
Owners of the Surface Duo 2 can get version 2022.521.8, while those of the original Surface Duo can download version 2022.519.41. Remember that the unlocked first-generation Surface Duo is the only model that supports the September 2022 upgrade. The most recent update, according to Microsoft, will soon be available for AT&T handsets because it is now undergoing testing and final approval.
Huawei
Huawei Nova Y70 Gets Update for Camera Optimizations
Finally, the Huawei Nova Y70 family will receive the EMUI-based June 2022 software update. With this upgrade, the smartphone's most crucial component—its camera—is optimized, and the security of the device as a whole is enhanced.
The security patch for May 2022 was installed on the Nova Y70 phone. However, users will eventually have the opportunity to download the improved version.
Huawei has released the June 2022 EMUI update for the Nova Y70 smartphone with the EMUI 12 version 12.0.0.174, according to the changelog (C432E4R3P1). It update has a total download size of 766 MB.
The upcoming firmware upgrade will stabilize the other features and applications of the gadget while also enhancing the camera quality.
Huawei P40 Lite EMUI 12 Update is Here
The August 2022 EMUI update for Huawei P40 Lite devices has begun to be released by Huawei. The September 2022 security updates have already begun to be distributed by Huawei, starting with its premium flagship Mate 40 Pro phone.
Although there won't be any new system modifications, the upgrade merely improves security. On the other hand, we advise installing it for a better experience. According to the update information, the new update is available for EMUI 12 with a build number of 12.0.0.241 (C432E5R6P2) and a 307 MB installation size.
Users of the Huawei P40 Lite in Europe can currently download the August 2022 EMUI upgrade. Users in other markets must wait a little longer because the corporation is releasing the update in stages.
Realme
Realme Pro 9 August Security Update is Out
Realme is releasing the Android August 2022 security patch for Realme 9 Pro 5G in India after the Realme 9 Pro+; the changelog only listed the security patch and system optimizations as well as fixes. The build number RMX3471 11 A.43, the update can be located. This is being phased out and will soon be accessible to all users. Please wait patiently for your device to receive the update.
Realme hasn't specified the amount of these upgrades, but it is advised to update your smartphones while they are charging and over a reliable Wi-Fi connection. Go to Settings > System > System updates to manually check for the update.
Final Words
And that's everything you need to know about how the second week of September went for the Android OEM industry. While some companies have yet to finalize the Android 13 rollouts, some sources have already indicated that Google is ready with the next major update for Android 13. If there's an update we have missed out to mention, do let us know in the comments section down below.