As we inch closer to the expected January launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25, the latest rumor surrounding the phone series suggests it’s getting an upgrade in terms of how updates are applied at the most fundamental level.
According to tipster @chunvn8888 (via SamMobile ), the Galaxy S25 phones will receive A/B updates, also known as seamless updates. These updates include new Android versions as well as minor security patches and fixes.
The A/B moniker refers to how the next software update (B) is downloaded and installed to a separate storage partition while the current software (A) continues to run. Most of the heavy lifting happens behind the scenes while you continue to use your phone.
A reboot is still required to apply the update, but the process is faster. Much of the installation work is already done, so you’ll spend less time watching a progress bar move across the screen.
Getting started with the program
Google introduced A/B updating for Android back in 2016, so it’s taken a while for Samsung to introduce it to the Galaxy lineup – if the prediction is correct.
The Galaxy S25 wouldn’t be the first Samsung phone to get the functionality, though: it’s also available on the Samsung Galaxy A55 that launched earlier this year. However, it would be the first time it’s appeared on a Samsung flagship.
As SamMobile notes, A/B support has to be built in at the hardware level – it’s not something that can be added to a device later. A phone either has A/B capabilities or it doesn’t, for the life of the device.
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We should see three Galaxy S25 phones launch in January, if Samsung copies its 2024 launch schedule to 2025. There have been plenty of leaks already, covering everything from the predicted colour options to the key internal specs.