The seamless Android A/B software update might be coming to the Galaxy S flagship series.
Only one Samsung Galaxy phone—the Galaxy A55 5G—supports the seamless A/B update method, despite Google already permitting smooth Android updates, which I have been able to enjoy on the Pixel phones I’ve had. As a result, no top Galaxy phone provides smooth upgrades. But with the anticipated debut of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series early next year, things might be about to change.
Leakster Chun Bhai, who is followed by two of the most prominent leakers in the Ice Universe community as well as Ross Young of DSCC, posted a brief tweet on “X” that reads, “S25 series support A/B update.” One partition, either A or B, is running the operating system at any one time in an A/B system. The new software is installed on the dormant partition upon loading.
Leaker writes a tweet calling for seamless Android updates to be available for the Galaxy S25 series next year. | Image credit-X
The device is restarted into the newly updated partition after the update is finished, allowing for a seamless transition to the new software with no downtime. Using the A/B updates has the following benefits:
quicker updates because the user’s device can continue to function while the phone refreshes.
decreased downtime since users must cope with shorter boot times and interruptions.
increased dependability because the phone can be restarted into the prior functional partition in the event that an update fails.
a more efficient, seamless user experience that increases user happiness.
The Galaxy S24 range uses an older method called a full-system reboot, which takes minutes and needs the device to reset entirely. The phone’s new software is installed during that period, and once it’s finished, the device reboots with the updated software loaded. This approach is thought to be less effective and to cause greater user interruption, particularly when there are significant upgrades. This was the method used to upgrade Android devices prior to the development of the A/B updates.
Users of the Galaxy S25 series will also enjoy seamless Android updates if leaker Chun Bhai is correct. In January 2025, Sammy’s next major series might be released.