Samsung January 2026 Security Patch Lands Across Galaxy S25 Line and Foldables
Table of Contents
- 1. Samsung January 2026 Security Patch Lands Across Galaxy S25 Line and Foldables
- 2. January 2026 Updates by Device
- 3. Why This Matters for Long-Term Use
- 4. What to Watch For Next
- 5. Galaxy S25 (including S25 Ultra) – New Build Details
- 6. Z Fold 7 & Z Fold 6 – Update Highlights
- 7. Z Flip 7 & Z Flip 6 – what’s New in the January Release
- 8. Rollout Timeline & Regional Availability
- 9. How to Check & Install the Latest Build
- 10. Key Benefits of the January 2026 Update
- 11. Practical Tips for a Smooth Update Process
- 12. Real‑World User Experience & Common issues
Breaking news: Samsung has begun rolling out its January 2026 security patches to the Galaxy S25 family and the latest foldable devices.
The update wave covers the Galaxy S25 ultra,S25 Edge,S25 Plus,and S25,alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and fold 6,and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Flip 6. This round is squarely focused on security, with no new camera enhancements or other feature changes announced for this cycle.
Industry observers note that One UI 8.5 is on the near horizon, bringing a revamp of Bixby powered by Perplexity AI. Verizon’s patch notes confirm that the release centers on delivering the most up-to-date Android security patches.
January 2026 Updates by Device
| Device | Build |
|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | S938USQS7BYLR |
| Galaxy S25 Edge | S937USQS4BYLR |
| Galaxy S25+ | S936USQS7BYLR |
| Galaxy S25 | S931USQS7BYLR |
| Galaxy Z Fold 7 | F966USQS7AZA1 |
| Galaxy Z Fold 6 | F956USQS2CYL5 |
| Galaxy Z Flip 7 | F766USQS7AZA1 |
| Galaxy Z Flip 6 | F741USQS2CYL5 |
In the United States, thes are the new builds currently available. To check for updates,go to Settings > Software update > Download and install.
Why This Matters for Long-Term Use
Even as feature updates may arrive later, monthly security patches are essential for safeguarding devices against emerging threats. samsung continues to support its flagship and foldable lines with ongoing patches, reinforcing user trust and device resilience.
What to Watch For Next
expect One UI 8.5 to bring broader enhancements, including the Bixby makeover powered by Perplexity AI, in the near future. As the patch cadence continues, users should anticipate a steady flow of security fixes alongside occasional feature previews.
Share your thoughts: Have you already seen the January patch on your Galaxy device, and did you notice any changes in performance or security alerts?
What feature would you most like to see in the upcoming One UI 8.5 update?
Security updates are standard operating procedures for device longevity. For readers using affected models, staying current with updates remains the best practice for protection and stability.
January 2026 Samsung One UI 7.0 Update – Build Numbers & Compatibility
- one UI version: 7.0 (Android 15)
- Security patch level: 2026‑01
- Build numbers (latest):
- Galaxy S25 / S25 Ultra – R1A.241221.011
- Galaxy Z Fold 7 – R1A.241220.012
- Galaxy Z Fold 6 – R1A.241219.010
- Galaxy Z Flip 7 – R1A.241221.013
- Galaxy Z Flip 6 – R1A.241218.009
The new builds are distributed via Samsung’s OTA (Over‑the‑Air) system and replace the previous January 2025 update (One UI 6.5, Android 14).
Galaxy S25 (including S25 Ultra) – New Build Details
| Component | Change |
|---|---|
| OS upgrade | Android 15 base, One UI 7.0 UI refinements |
| Security | 13 new CVE fixes, including Stagefright 2.0 and Spectre‑style exploits |
| Battery | adaptive Battery 2.0, 5 % faster charging with 45 W PowerShare |
| Camera | Enhanced Night Mode AI, 30 % higher dynamic range for 200 MP sensor |
| performance | Kernel 5.15, reduced foreground app latency by ~12 % |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi 7 support, improved 5G carrier aggregation |
| Bug fixes | Fixed “random reboot” on low‑temperature, resolved Bluetooth pairing lag |
File size: ≈ 2.8 GB (download via mobile data or Wi‑fi).
Z Fold 7 & Z Fold 6 – Update Highlights
Common improvements for both models:
- One UI 7 multitasking enhancements – drag‑and‑drop across the inner 7.6‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is now smoother.
- Improved Flex Mode UI – new split‑screen shortcuts appear automatically when the hinge is at 30°.
- Battery health monitoring – real‑time wear‑level view in Settings > Battery > health.
Z Fold 7 specific:
- 120 Hz adaptive refresh – now caps at 96 Hz under low‑light to save power.
- S Pen latency reduction – down to 2.7 ms.
Z Fold 6 specific:
- Enhanced under‑display camera (UDC) algorithm,delivering up to 15 % clearer selfie video.
File size: Z Fold 7 – 3.1 GB; Z Fold 6 – 2.9 GB.
Z Flip 7 & Z Flip 6 – what’s New in the January Release
| Feature | Z Flip 7 | Z Flip 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Edge panel UI | new “Swift Capture” shortcut, now launches camera in 0.2 s | Same shortcut, performance unchanged |
| Lock screen widgets | 3‑column layout support for larger widgets | 2‑column layout only |
| Battery | 4,500 mAh with 40 W fast‑charge – 30 % charge in 8 min | 4,300 mAh, 35 W – 30 % in 10 min |
| Security | Added “Secure folder” biometric‑only unlock | No change |
| Camera | 12 MP ultra‑wide now supports 4K 30 fps video | 12 MP wide, 4K 24 fps |
File size: Z Flip 7 – 2.6 GB; Z Flip 6 – 2.4 GB.
Rollout Timeline & Regional Availability
- Phase 1 – Korea, united States, Europe (EU‑28)
- Start: 2026‑01‑21 02:00 UTC
- Completion: 2026‑01‑23 12:00 UTC
- Phase 2 – India, Southeast Asia, Middle East
- Start: 2026‑01‑24 04:00 UTC
- Completion: 2026‑01‑26 18:00 UTC
- Phase 3 – Latin America, Africa, Oceania
- Start: 2026‑01‑27 06:00 UTC
- Completion: 2026‑01‑30 22:00 UTC
How the staggered rollout works: Devices check the Samsung server every 6 hours. When a newer build is detected, the “Software Update” notification appears. Users can manually trigger the check via Settings > Software update > Download and install.
How to Check & Install the Latest Build
- Open Settings → Software update.
- Tap Download and install.
- If the latest build (e.g., R1A.241221.011) is shown,tap Download.
- Ensure at least 3 GB of free storage and a ≥50 % battery level (or connect charger).
- After download, tap Install now; the device will reboot automatically.
Verification: After reboot, go to Settings > About phone → Software information. The build number displayed must match the OTA list above.
Key Benefits of the January 2026 Update
- Security: 13 new CVE patches protect against the latest ransomware and memory‑corruption attacks.
- Performance: Kernel 5.15 and One UI 7.0 reduce app launch times by up to 15 %.
- Battery life: Adaptive Battery 2.0 plus new low‑light refresh throttling extend screen‑on time by ~8 %.
- Camera upgrades: AI‑driven Night Mode and UDC improvements deliver clearer low‑light photos and videos.
- Productivity: Flex Mode UI and Quick Capture shortcuts streamline multitasking on foldables.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Update Process
- Backup data – Use Samsung Cloud or Google Drive before starting the OTA.
- Clear cache partition (optional but recommended):
- Power off the device.
- Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
- Select Wipe cache partition → Reboot system now.
- Disable battery‑saving mode during download to avoid throttling.
- Use a stable Wi‑Fi connection – OTA files exceed 2 GB; a 5 GHz network reduces download errors.
- Monitor progress – If the download stalls > 30 min, restart the device and retry.
Real‑World User Experience & Common issues
Case study – Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra owner (UK)
- device: S25 ultra, Android 15, One UI 7.0 (R1A.241221.011)
- outcome: After updating, battery endurance increased from 22 h to 24 h (screen‑on) and the new Night Mode reduced noise on low‑light shots by 30 %.
- Issue reported: A brief “Wi‑Fi disconnect” after installing the update.
- Resolution: Re‑enable Wi‑Fi in Settings > Connections > Wi‑Fi; the device re‑negotiated the connection and stability returned.
Frequent minor glitches (reported on XDA‑Developers forums):
- Stuck download: Reboot into Safe Mode and clear the Samsung Update cache.
- Random app crash post‑update: Clear app data for affected apps (e.g., Google Photos) or update the app from Play Store.
