This firmware replace for the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, and S8 higher be well worth the builders’ bother

5 years after their preliminary launch, most smartphones are not receiving common safety patches, not to mention Android updates. That mentioned, each as soon as in a whereas we see some huge exception, the place a cellphone firm reaches out to ship a presumably very particular replace to a handset it was in any other case not supporting. That is the kind of scenario we’re excited about proper now, as Samsung makes the bizarre transfer to launch software program updates for old Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S7 fashions — reportedly to repair a… GPS problem?

Lately, Samsung has earned a well-deserved repute for dependable, common updates, and software program help that extends longer than many different OEMs. As a substitute of a measly three years of Android updates and 4 years of safety patches, Samsung gives as much as 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of patches.

Though the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge aren’t purported to obtain software program updates anymore, Samsung has launched a 31MB firmware replace (model G93*FXXU8EVG3) for the phones (through SamMobile). This is the second unscheduled replace since Samsung pulled help in spring 2020, the final one being in November 2020. The patch doesn’t contact the safety degree, however the change log signifies that GPS stability is being improved.

A equally labeled GPS-related replace is additionally rolling out to Galaxy S8 homeowners, however as half of a bigger 420MB obtain. As soon as once more, this firmware replace (model G95*FXXUCDVG4) doesn’t embrace a new safety patch, leaving the cellphone at its earlier April 1, 2021, degree.

Info on Samsung’s firmware servers suggests related fixes are additionally arriving for the Galaxy S9, and probably even older gadgets, together with the S6 and the 2015 Galaxy J7. Most individuals have seemingly forgotten about these phones (or lengthy since traded up), and seeing Samsung replace fairly so many fashions like this, absent some essential safety flaw being mounted, appears very odd. We’ll be retaining a watch out for any additional developments on this saga, and hopefully achieve a little extra perception into what appears to be the world’s most essential GPS repair.