Older S series should be considered as 2nd class phones

[usereWQV8WLNN3]

I just have a simple question that maybe the moderators can pass up the line. 

But when will Samsung stop treating it's year old phones that cost anywhere between $800-$1500. As 2nd class phones the moment a new phone is released?.

Why is it that in 2026, we are waiting months for a .5 update and when said update or any other update arrives, it's slowly rolled out.

Then in a few months time, I with my S25 ultra, will have to effectively stand in line behind those with an S26 ultra for software updates going forward?.

Samsung is the only company of the "big" 3 in the US stand still deliberately continues this practice. 

Their is no technical reason that is stopping Samsung from releasing updates to let's say their last 3 S line(24-26) phones all at the same time. Bar a refusal or unwillingness to do so.

This will be my last galaxy phone.

[AAbbott]

Is your phone working properly? Why does an interim update that you will surely get, matter so much. Samsung has always released their newest phones with the newest OS with the older phones catching up after.

[usereWQV8WLNN3]

Is your phone working properly? If so good.

I don't glaze companies or fanboy any billion dollar company.

Their update policies as it relates to 12 months old phones is poor. Point blank period and it's an active choice by them, their is no technical reason in 2026 for them to handle updates the way they choose to l.

[Puti]

Its funny that you think its Samsung withholding the updates from you. As someone who works in a phone store, I can promise you that Samsung does release updates to all phones at the same time. What's preventing you from receiving said update is the carrier that you have, whether its factory locked or unlocked. T-Mobile is usually fastest with testing the update and rolling it out to customers. Users with the S26 already had one ui 8.5 from the box, this is true with all new Samsung phones. The new ones are usually shipped with the latest One UI. It amazes me to see how many people blame Samsung when a simple Google search can tell you otherwise. Apple is like Google, once its rolled out everyone gets it. One UI is a skin on top of Android(google) so companies have to test the skin to make sure its compatible with the services provided(T-Mobile, Verizon, ATT, Boost)

[usereWQV8WLNN3]

Samsung most certainly does not release updates for the S24 the same time they lease it for the S25.

That's just factually incorrect, if you work at a phone store and believe that or think that is true, you need another job.

My point was about them staggering release for different year phones.

Apple does do it, Google doesn't do it.

Samsung does it

[AAbbott]

If all phones were the same there would never be a need for upgraded devices.  The fact is rollouts by model happen because newer software reacts differently on different hardware, not to mention that even one year old phones do not have the same features the brand new phones have.  Each model must have it's own update.  The carriers most certainly do tinker with and test each OneUI update for each model and they are the ones that deploy the updates on a schedule that's their own.

[usereWQV8WLNN3]

Carriers have 0 to do with Samsung not releasing one UI 8.5 for the S25. Absolutely nothing.

Once Samsung releases one UI 8.5 that's when carriers get involved, and most will have their updates within 7-10 days after that.

All phones aren't the same for Google & apple. Guess what they still release updates to all their phones at the same time. Unlike Samsung who deliberately staggers the updates, so after 12 months the phone you just paid $1300 for. You are not at the back of the line etc.

At this point you are just saying words, without thinking through what you are saying.

[AAbbott]

Apple and Google use their own servers and don't go through carriers to release their updates. They also release patches, not improvements to the interface. The fact that OneUI is a Samsung shell, is the issue - it's the reason you can do customization of your device.  OneUI needs different tweaks for different models.  I still don't understand what the big deal is about an interim update.  You will still get the update; your phone, apparently, is still functioning properly.  From what I'm hearing, there is no magic in the 8.5 update.  It's only an update of the UI, not of the Android version. Will you be back here complaining about the update if it somehow messes things up for you, because you'd rather have one that's not ready for prime time?  Or, are you just upset that you didn't get into the beta?

If you really, really, really need your updates "on time", then switch to Apple or Google. I'm sure you will be happier.

[TipsyTrex]

Google develops android for the pixels. Samsung has to get that new version of android after google has deemed it good enough to release to them, work out all the changes, add their own changes on top of it and then make sure everything works. This takes time and because samsung has a *significantly* larger and more varied device lineup, this means it takes longer to get new versions of android out and different devices have different validation requirements. The staggered rollout is probably the smoothest way to ensure the updates are rollout without issues.

[usereWQV8WLNN3]

I don't expect them to release updates at the same time as Google.

I expect them to release updates in a timely manner and to update at least 3 years old S devices all at the same time. Which they can 100% do.

But choose not to, in order to have the persons with the newest phone feel "special". Which only lasts for 12 months before they put you behind in the line again.