Has Samsung dropped the ball by pushing again One UI 7? Type of, however I perceive the delay

Samsung has lastly launched its much-awaited One UI 7 with the Galaxy S25 vary after months of delays. The brand new flagship contains the newest Android 15-based interface with upgraded options, however different Galaxy customers must wait months for the replace to hit their telephones.

It has been a irritating few months for customers trying ahead to updating their Galaxy phones as a result of Samsung stored delaying the discharge of its newest software program. The transfer appears calculated to profit the corporate’s newest flagship to the detriment of the opposite fashions within the lineup. So, did Samsung drop the ball and let its legions of followers down? Let’s unpack the state of affairs.

Android 15’s launch date

It has been round for some time

Android 15, also called Vanilla Ice Cream, underwent 4 rounds of beta testing earlier than being launched in September 2024. It provided quite a few upgrades, reminiscent of Non-public Area, which retains delicate apps locked away from the remainder of your telephone, and App Archiving, which helps you to delete apps you now not use whereas preserving the settings and person info.

Different up to date options embrace higher theft safety, partial display sharing, and quality-of-life upgrades. Android 15 additionally launched many safety and privateness updates to fulfill the newest requirements and provides customers peace of thoughts that their units and knowledge are protected.

Vivo was the primary model to undertake the brand new OS, adopted by Google Pixel telephones on October fifteenth. Others quickly adopted go well with, with manufacturers like OnePlus including Android 15 to its lineup by November 2024. Most Galaxy customers anticipated Samsung to maintain up with the opposite manufacturers listed right here, however they’re nonetheless awaiting the newest replace on their telephones. The wait was disappointing as a result of the Android 14-based One UI 6 launched on the Galaxy S23 sequence in October 2023.

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Why was One UI 7 delayed?

Strategic causes

Samsung introduced that it could launch One UI 7 with the Galaxy S25 Collection throughout the SDC 2024 occasion, so it is no shock that it is solely hitting the market now. Nevertheless, the event cycle was troubled, and the beta variations suffered quite a few delays.

Though Samsung by no means confirmed launch dates for its One UI 7 replace, preliminary rumors instructed that testing would start as early as August 2024 to match the earlier 12 months’s One UI 6 beta launch. The corporate took its time to iron out the bugs and remedy different improvement points, which pressured it to delay the discharge date quite a few instances till December 2024.

One UI 7’s first beta was launched on December 5, 2024, for Galaxy S24 telephones in territories like the US, India, and Germany. The second beta was launched on December 15, 2024, and the third arrived on January 6, 2025. As issues stand, we all know that the complete model will drop with the Galaxy S25’s official launch on 7 February, however we’re nonetheless in the dead of night in regards to the updates for different fashions.

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One UI 7 launches with the Galaxy S25 sequence on February 7, with the replace changing into out there on older units quickly afterward.

What about Android 16?

It is on its method

Google has adopted a brand new launch schedule, and Android 16 is already in its testing section. Pixel customers have already got entry to the primary Android 16 Beta, which affords new options like Dwell Replace for monitoring deliveries, navigation, and different ongoing actions. It additionally has a brand new scaling function to resize app home windows to suit your machine routinely, native help for the AVP video codec, and different new options.

Google is anticipated to roll out one other three beta variations earlier than launching the ultimate model in Q2. Rumors recommend the discharge shall be between April and July, however there aren’t any official dates but. If the finalized Android 16 model drops in July, non-S25 Galaxy customers will solely have round 4 months with Android 15 earlier than it turns into outdated.

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Has Samsung dropped the ball by delaying One UI 7?

It is determined by your perspective

I would say sure and no. Samsung intentionally deliberate its One UI 7 launch to coincide with the Galaxy S25’s launch as a part of its company coverage. The brand new Galaxy S25 vary affords lackluster upgrades over the earlier mannequin, and premiering One UI 7 offers customers one thing to be enthusiastic about.

Then again, customers anticipate extra from Samsung as a premium model. Ready months for an replace is unacceptable when smaller rivals can launch their merchandise early and beat them to the market. It is disappointing that Galaxy customers with older units will solely be on Android 15 for a number of months earlier than different manufacturers transfer on to the newer model.

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