Android 11 is now rolling out to some Samsung Galaxy phones, if you’re lucky

By Christian de Looper December 3, 2020

Samsung users are set to finally get Android 11. Samsung has finally offered some information about its update rollout — and as long as you have a recent Galaxy device, you may be able to get it relatively soon.

The first phones to get Android 11, which includes One UI 3.0, will be the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, minus the Galaxy S20 FE. In the U.S., South Korea, and most of Europe, Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra users should expect to get the update over the next few weeks, with some users set to get it right away. According to reports, however, it seems as though some UK Note 20 users have already gotten the update.

Samsung is somewhat contradicting itself when it comes to the update schedule for other phones. In a press release, the company says that “the upgrade will gradually become available in more regions and on more devices, including the Galaxy Note 20, Z Fold 2, Z Flip, Note 10, Fold and S10 series, in the coming weeks.” But, in the Samsung Members app, it claims updates may be dragged out until February depending on the model. In that app, the company lists the Note 20 series and Galaxy S20 FE as getting the update in January, and the Galaxy Fold, S10 series, Note 10 series, Z Flip, Fold, and Z Fold 2, as getting the update in February. So users with those phones will likely have to wait a couple of months before they get the update for themselves.

Unfortunately, you can’t do much to get the update sooner, except to make sure that you have the latest apps and software, and that you’re signed into the Galaxy Apps store and Samsung Members app (which you may have disabled — be sure to re-enable it). You could obsessively refresh the software updates section in the Settings app, however that likely won’t help you actually get the update any faster.

Android 11 in general brings a few new features to your phone, but in the case of One UI 3.0, it mostly brings visual refinements. Menus have a new translucent look, while lock screen widgets are a bit more functional. Other features are present too — like the ability to turn the screen off by double-tapping an empty area on the home screen.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…

Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: 11 fun things to do with the S Pen

Galaxy S22 Ultra in Phantom Black with S Pen.

The S Pen made the Galaxy Note lineup one for professionals. After the Note line bid adieu, Samsung brought its stylus to other flagships, including the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but with a caveat -- there was no place to keep the stylus. With the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung not only provided a Note 20 Ultra-like design to house the S Pen, but also improved the latency to match the pen-and-paper-like feel. I've been using the Galaxy S22 Ultra with the S Pen for a few weeks now, and here's what the stylus is capable of doing.
Screen-off memos

If you pop the S Pen out from its residing place, the powered-down screen turns into a canvas where you can jot something down quickly and save it in the Samsung Notes app. All of it works without you needing to turn on the screen.

Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Which should you buy?

Galaxy S22 camera module.

Samsung just launched its 2022 flagships, the Samsung Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra. With Apple already having the iPhone 13-series out for sale, there's a pretty big reason to cross-shop these two device families against each other. Both are seen as the best phones for their respective platforms, both come with extensive ecosystems and both will have a large selection of cases and third-party accessories.

From this slate of devices, we'll be comparing the basic iPhone 13 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 to see which of these two you should buy. They're the basic models of each line, and more similar than they are different.
Specs

Mobile

Should the Galaxy S22 Ultra replace your Note 20 Ultra?

Galaxy S22 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra screens held in hand.

If the S Pen is like an extension of your body, then you’ve probably stuck with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra since it was released, unwilling to compromise by getting an S21 Ultra and the S Pen case accessory. But now Samsung has the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and it comes with an S Pen stylus inside the body. Does that mean it’s time to upgrade, and if so, what else should you expect?

I’ve given the two a back-to-back workout to see if now is the time for Note 20 Ultra owners to get a new phone.
Hold the phones
There is almost no difference whatsoever between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Note 20 Ultra when you hold them both. It’s uncanny how similar the two are, with the same flat end caps, the same sharply curved sides, and essentially identical dimensions. Even the placement of the speaker grille on the bottom of both phones is exactly the same. However, Samsung decided the 208 gram Note 20 Ultra wasn’t heavy enough and added another 20 grams to the overall weight of the S22 Ultra.