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The January 2023 Android security patch is available for a host of Samsung smartphones in the US. The Galaxy S21, Galaxy S20, Galaxy Note 20, and Galaxy A12 are the latest recipients of this month’s security update stateside. The former three flagship lineups have already received the new SMR (Security Maintenance Release) in international markets.
Samsung is widely rolling out the January SMR to the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra in the US. Both carrier-locked and unlocked units are picking up the new security release. The updated firmware versions are G99*USQS5DWA5 and G99*U1UES5DWA2, respectively. All eligible users should receive this update over the next few days. Don’t expect any new features, though. Samsung is only pushing the latest vulnerability fixes. The 2021 Galaxy flagships will get One UI 5.1 next month or in March with a host of new features.
The upcoming One UI update will also be available to the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra. But ahead of that, users are getting the January security patch. Following the rollout in international markets earlier this month, Samsung has released the new SMR in the US as well. As of this writing, only carrier-locked units are getting the update. The new firmware build number for the devices is G98*USQS3GWA2 (via). Unlocked Galaxy S20 phones should get this update in the coming days.
The Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are also picking up the January SMR in the US. The update for the last Note-branded Samsung flagships is also live for both carrier-locked and unlocked variants, with firmware versions N98*USQS3GWA1 and N98*U1UES3GWA1, respectively. Once again, there aren’t any new features in tow. The update is all about vulnerability fixes. Thankfully, the S Pen-wielding Galaxy Note 20 duo will also get One UI 5.1, which will debut with the Galaxy S23 series next week.
Samsung’s Galaxy A12 budget handset is also getting the January update
The Galaxy A12 is another Samsung smartphone picking up the January SMR in the US. The rollout has begun for unlocked models with firmware version A125U1UES5CWA2. Carrier-locked units should also join the party soon. The budget handset hasn’t received the new security update anywhere else, and there’s no telling if it will. The device is only eligible for biannual security updates (one update every six months). So, Samsung may skip this release in some markets. This phone is also not eligible for Android 13, though security patches will come, at least, until the end of 2024.