In December 2023, Samsung released its last software patch, which fixed some security vulnerabilities on the phone. This patch is for Samsung-branded Galaxy series devices, and in order to protect users' privacy and device security, Samsung has launched a security update in December. This update mainly addresses 75 different vulnerabilities, seven of which are marked as critical fixes.
Unlike Android updates in general, security updates are mainly focused on addressing security vulnerabilities without any impact on the device's UI and Android system. This means that security updates don't change the way devices operate, just to fix security flaws that already exist. In this December security update, Samsung and Google worked together to address these vulnerabilities, with 16 fixes identified as critical.
In this update, some specific patch components are available for various applications, such as AR emojis, Smartclips, and Contacts apps, to name a few. These issues were all addressed in the December update. This update is also the first update for some devices after the release of OneUI6.
Samsung has prioritized some mainstream products in this update. The Galaxy S23 series is the first phone to receive the December security update. This makes sense, considering that the Galaxys series has been one of Samsung's most popular products. In addition, some of the more affordable phones such as the A14 have also received comprehensive bug fixes.
1. Galaxy S23, S23 and S23Ultra - These are the first devices to get the December update. Since they have been one of Samsung's most popular devices, it makes sense to prioritize updating these models. Devices such as the Galaxy S22, S22, and S22Ultra are also expected to get the December security update soon.
GalaxyS23 S23 - United States: Available with carrier unlocked.
Galaxy S23 Ultra - US: Can be used with carrier unlocked.
2. GalaxyZfold and Zflip series - This is Samsung's best foldable product line, and it's no surprise that they continue to get updates. The GalaxyZfold2 is the first foldable phone to receive the December update.
3. GalaxyNote Series - For Samsung, the GalaxyNote series is outdated, and no new Note devices will be released. Existing devices are nearing the end of their runtime and can no longer get Android updates and security patches. However, the Galaxy Note 20 is still a device that continues to get updates, and the December security update is no different for it.
4. Galaxya M F Series - The GalaxyA, M, and F series are Samsung's budget choices, but their performance in recent years has proven that they can compete with more expensive Samsung products to a certain extent. So far, the Galaxy A14 and A52 have received the December update.
With the December security update, Samsung addressed a number of security vulnerabilities and protected users' privacy and device security. For mainstream Galaxy series devices, such as the S23 series and Zfold series, updates are given a higher priority. And for outdated product lines, such as the Note series, although no new devices have been released, existing devices still get updates with bug fixes. In addition, the Galaxya M F series that is a budget choice is also able to enjoy the benefits of security updates. As more devices are rolled out, we can expect more devices to get the December security update.
Through continuous security updates, Samsung is committed to providing a more secure experience and protecting users' data and devices from potential threats. Whether it's a mainstream or budget product, every Galaxy device deserves full protection and support. It is crucial for users to keep their devices updated with security to not only improve the security of their devices but also to enjoy better performance and functionality. As users, we should also always pay attention to and install updates in time to ensure that our phones are safe and secure. Samsung's efforts and updates also remind us that protecting personal privacy and device security is an ongoing process that requires us to work together. Only in this way can we truly have a safe and secure digital life.