14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung's security update schedule in the United States is a bit of a mess, as unlocked smartphones get new security patches much more slowly than carrier-branded handsets. That must have been very frustrating for those who purchased unlocked Samsung phones thinking they will be the first to receive software updates.
Unfortunately, while carrier-branded Samsung smartphones are getting new security updates on a weekly basis, customers with unlocked units receive the same updates on a quarterly basis.
The good news is that, starting this month, things will change for the better. Samsung confirmed it addressed all the issues that prevented it from delivering these security updates on a weekly basis.
ZDNet reports that many Samsung users have asked the company what's happening with these security updates. Surprisingly, the South Korean company has responded to a couple of them, so here is the official statement that some got in the email inbox:
“Due to various circumstances, we have been releasing security updates for unlocked (open) Galaxy devices in the U.S on a quarterly basis. However, we have now resolved the challenges; and we are committed to releasing security updates for those devices on a monthly basis. We plan to release this month's security update soon and you can be rest assured that it will include all security patches to date.”
It appears that the last update delivered by Samsung to its unlocked Galaxy smartphones in the United States is the December security patch.
However, as mentioned by Samsung, the next update that should hit Galaxy smartphones very soon will also contain all the other security patches that haven't been made available.
Keep in mind, though, that the new monthly update schedule does not apply to Android OS updates, which means those who own unlocked Galaxy S7/S7 edge smartphones in the United States will have to wait a while longer until Nougat arrives on their devices.