Samsung Unveils Unexpected Upgrade for Legacy Galaxy Devices

Typically, Android smartphones receive a new update directly from Google once a month. These Google Play system updates impact all manufacturers and often include new features or improvements, but their availability may vary across devices.

This month, there was an unusual situation with Samsung devices. According to the GalaxyClub website, newer models like the S25 or Z Fold 7 did not receive an update, while older models such as the Galaxy S10, S20, and S21 did.

It’s worth noting that support for the Galaxy S10 ended in April 2023, and the S20 concluded its update cycle last year. Despite this, these older models received the recent update while newer ones did not, without an official explanation from Samsung or Google.

There is uncertainty about when Samsung’s newer smartphones will receive the update and why they were excluded this time.

Not the latest update

It’s important to clarify that the Google Play system update mentioned here is not the January patch released on 12 January. Instead, it is an update from November that had not been rolled out to Samsung users until now.

As per Samsung (via Heise Online), the Google Play updates had to be temporarily halted due to potential issues with Samsung devices. The updates have now resumed, starting with the November Google Play update (version 25.45, dated 17 November 2025).

The December update is expected to follow, with the current January patch coming last, assuming no further issues arise. It’s important to note that security patches addressing vulnerabilities and protecting devices from attacks were not impacted by the update pause.

You can easily check your current version by accessing Settings on your device, navigating to Security & Privacy > Updates > Google Play System Update, and selecting Check for Updates.

If you’re in the market for a new Samsung phone, take a look at our guide to the top Galaxy devices available now.