Samsung Alters Methodology of Android Updates Across All Users
In a groundbreaking move, Samsung has adopted Google's trunk-based development (TBD) approach for its Android updates, significantly accelerating the rollout of new features for its Galaxy devices. This shift from the traditional branch-based model marks a new era in Android update processes, setting a potential precedent for other manufacturers to follow.
With trunk-based development, Samsung develops software in a single stable codebase, eliminating the lengthy delays caused by merge conflicts. New features are managed via feature flags, ensuring a reliable stable branch while allowing iterative background development until features are ready to be rolled out.
This streamlined approach has allowed Samsung to release major One UI updates, such as One UI 8 based on Android 16, just one month after Google’s official release. This timely update cadence is a significant change from the past, where updates would take months, if at all, to arrive.
Samsung's move has set it apart from other Android OEMs like Xiaomi and OnePlus, who have yet to adopt trunk-based development on a similar scale. While Google has mandated the trunk-based approach for Android platform development internally, OEMs have traditionally developed their own customized skins independently, often using variant branch-based models.
However, Samsung's success with trunk-based development could encourage other manufacturers to follow suit. The benefits are clear: faster updates, longer device support, and a more competitive edge in the Android market.
In addition to faster updates, Samsung is also pushing the boundaries of its Galaxy AI features. The company is enhancing Google's Gemini AI with new capabilities like real-time call translation, AI image editing, and writing assistance.
Samsung is also committing to extended update support for its flagship devices. The S24 and Z Fold 6, for instance, are promised up to 7 years of updates, ensuring Galaxy users can enjoy the latest Android features for a longer period.
In summary, Samsung's adoption of trunk-based development has revolutionised the Android update process, enabling faster and more reliable delivery of new Android versions and One UI features. While other manufacturers are yet to catch up, Samsung's lead in this area could set a precedent for more OEMs to follow in the future.
[1] Samsung Newsroom. (2023). Samsung's One UI 8: A New Era for Android Updates. Retrieved from [https://news.samsung.com/global/samsungs-one-ui-8-a-new-era-for-android-updates] [2] The Verge. (2023). Samsung's One UI 8: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from [https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/1/23620238/samsung-one-ui-8-release-date-features-android-16] [3] Android Central. (2023). Samsung's One UI 8: A Game Changer for Android Updates. Retrieved from [https://www.androidcentral.com/samsungs-one-ui-8-game-changer-android-updates] [4] TechRadar. (2023). Samsung's One UI 8: A Leap Ahead for Android Updates. Retrieved from [https://www.techradar.com/news/samsungs-one-ui-8-a-leap-ahead-for-android-updates]
- Samsung's adoption of Google's trunk-based development approach for its Android updates has introduced a more streamlined process for developing new features, particularly for smartphones like the S24 and Z Fold 6, which are now promised up to 7 years of updates.
- With this new approach, Samsung is not only working on faster updates for its gadgets but also enhancing its AI features, such as real-time call translation, AI image editing, and writing assistance, further setting it apart in the competitive Android market.
