21 March 2023 , 07:10
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Anyone with an older Samsung Galaxy smartphone in their pocket might want to consider switching to something new this year. That's because a batch of popular devices, including the Galaxy S20, will be blocked from getting the very latest version of Android.
Many of Samsung's ageing phones only come with a guaranteed three years of operating system updates and that time has now run out. It basically means that when the Korean firm releases its version of Android 14 - called One UI 6 - towards the end of 2023, millions won't be offered the chance to download and install it.
It will be a major blow to those who love to keep pace with the latest and greatest upgrades although Samsung has always made it clear that it only offers a limited number of Android updates so it shouldn't come as a surprise.
Want to know if your phone is on the list?
Here are all the devices that are unlikely to be offered Android 14.
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• Galaxy S10 Lite • Galaxy S20 FE • Galaxy S20 / Galaxy S20+ / Galaxy S20 Ultra • Galaxy Note 10 Lite • Galaxy Note 20 / Galaxy Note 20 Ultra • Galaxy Z Flip (LTE/5G) • Galaxy Z Fold 2 • Galaxy A22 (LTE/5G) • Galaxy A32 (LTE/5G) • Galaxy A51 • Galaxy A71 • Galaxy Tab A8 • Galaxy Tab A7 Lite • Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2020) • Galaxy Tab S7 / Galaxy Tab S7+
Although we're yet to find out full details about what's coming in Android 14 we do know that it will help improve the efficiency of apps and offer users the option to scale text up to 200% that's a boost of 70% over Android 13.
Another important change is that Android 14 will block older applications from being installed on devices. It's hoped that this should help to cut down on dreaded malware being spread.
As Google explains, "Malware often targets older API levels to bypass security and privacy protections that have been introduced in newer Android versions. To protect against this, starting with Android 14, apps with a targetSdkVersion lower than 23 cannot be installed."
Luckily there's not long to wait until more details are revealed with Google set to unveil much more at its yearly I/O 2023 conference on May 10 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California.
Samsung will also add its own tweaks via One UI 6 and if you think you'll want this update on your phone here are all the devices likely to receive it for free.
GALAXY S DEVICES
Galaxy S23 Ultra • Galaxy S23+ • Galaxy S23 • Galaxy S22 Ultra • Galaxy S22+ • Galaxy S22 • Galaxy S21 FE • Galaxy S21 Ultra • Galaxy S21+ • Galaxy S21
GALAXY Z DEVICES
Galaxy Z Fold 4 • Galaxy Z Flip 4 • Galaxy Z Fold 3 • Galaxy Z Flip 3 •
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GALAXY A DEVICES
Galaxy A73 • Galaxy A72 • Galaxy A53 • Galaxy A52 (A52 5G, A52s) • Galaxy A54 • Galaxy A34