What NO ONE Has Shown-Taught You About Samsung & Google Monthly Updates

Naveen Thakur

18 Mar, 2023

What NO ONE Has Shown or Taught You About Samsung & Google Monthly Updates

If you’ve been using a Samsung or Android phone for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed the recurring “Security patch update” notifications that pop up monthly. Maybe you've installed them and moved on with your day — or maybe you've ignored them completely. But here’s the truth: there’s a lot more happening under the hood of these updates than most people realize.

In this in-depth blog, we’re uncovering the hidden side of Samsung and Google’s monthly updates — from what they really do, to why they matter, and how they influence your device’s speed, security, battery life, and longevity. This is the stuff no one’s been teaching you… until now.

1. They’re More Than Just “Security Patches”

Let’s start with the biggest myth: that monthly updates are just small bug fixes or security enhancements. The truth? They often include:

Hidden performance optimizations
Battery management tweaks
Background app behavior changes
Thermal control adjustments
Camera quality improvements (even when not mentioned!)

Samsung, in particular, tends to bundle under-the-radar improvements inside their Security Maintenance Release (SMR) updates. These are rarely listed in changelogs but are noticeable over time, especially if you're attentive to device behavior.

2. Samsung vs. Google: Different Philosophies

While both companies deliver monthly patches, the way they do it is quite different.

Google:

Ships pure Android patches directly to Pixel devices
Uses A/B seamless updates (since Android 7.1)
Prioritizes rapid security delivery via Play System Updates too

Samsung:

Merges Google’s Android patch with its own UI tweaks (One UI)
Often delays rollouts slightly to test regionally
Adds extra fixes specific to Galaxy models and features (e.g., Knox security layers, SmartThings)

This means a Galaxy device and a Pixel phone might both show a May security patch — but they’re not identical under the surface.

3. Why Regions Get Updates at Different Times

You might wonder: why did a friend in Germany get the update before you in India?

This staggered rollout isn’t random. Samsung uses “phased deployment”, a smart method to:

Test updates on a limited number of users first
Catch bugs early and avoid global disasters (e.g., bootloops)
Adapt rollout based on carrier, region, and hardware variations

So next time your update seems delayed, understand that it’s often intentional — for your protection.

4. Google Play System Updates: The Quiet Giant

Another unsung hero? Google’s Play System Updates via Project Mainline.

These updates land via the Google Play Store and don’t require a full system reboot. They silently patch core components of Android, like:

Media codecs (to prevent video/image vulnerabilities)
Permission handling
Network security configurations
Time zone and language settings

Yet, hardly anyone talks about them! They’re crucial for security and stability — and they keep your device resilient even if your OEM is slow with full updates.

5. The Secret Changelogs You Don’t See

Samsung and Google only publish the major vulnerabilities patched in monthly updates — usually via CVE IDs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures). However, internal changelogs often include:

Modem updates for better 5G/LTE performance
Wi-Fi driver fixes to reduce disconnection
Improvements in charging logic and heat dispersion
Game performance adjustments to prevent thermal throttling

Some tech-savvy users have even decompiled update packages to find unannounced fixes — showing that what we see in patch notes is just the tip of the iceberg.

6. They Help Fight Zero-Day Exploits

Zero-day vulnerabilities are flaws hackers can exploit before a fix exists. Monthly updates are Android’s best defense against these, and Samsung has been faster than even Google in some cases.

For example:

Samsung often patches critical vulnerabilities ahead of time, especially those targeting Knox and Exynos chips.
Google sometimes delays full patch info until most users are updated, to prevent exploitation.

So if you ignore updates, you could be leaving your device open to live threats — including spyware, malware injection, or remote access.

7. Battery Drain? That’s Not the Update’s Fault… Usually

Many users report battery drain after monthly updates. But here’s the truth:

After an update, the system reindexes media, rebuilds cache, and resettles battery AI — which takes a few days.
Background app compatibility also changes. Some apps may misbehave with the new firmware.

That’s why clearing cache or doing a reboot can often fix post-update battery issues. And over a week, most phones actually perform better than before.

8. They Influence App Behavior Silently

Did you know monthly patches sometimes change how third-party apps behave?

For example:

Permissions for background access may be tightened
Data usage restrictions might silently kick in
UI rendering priorities may shift (affecting animations or app loading times)

These subtle shifts can cause apps to crash, behave oddly, or demand new permissions — which isn’t always the app developer’s fault.

9. Samsung’s Exclusive Fixes: More Than Android

Samsung includes One UI-specific patches in every monthly update. These are not part of the generic Android patch and cover:

Edge Panel behavior
S Pen recognition
DeX mode stability
Secure Folder updates
Samsung Pay, Bixby Routines, and Good Lock module tweaks

It’s one reason why Samsung’s monthly patch size is larger than Pixel phones — and why they’re more tailored to individual features.

10. Update Schedules Vary By Tier and Country

Samsung devices follow a tiered monthly/quarterly update model:

Flagships (S, Z Fold/Flip, and Note series): Monthly patches for 3-5 years
Mid-range (A and M series): Quarterly patches
Budget models: Biannual or irregular patches

Additionally, models in the US and Korea get updates first, followed by Europe and India. Carrier-locked models may face further delays due to testing.

11. Samsung’s Galaxy Update Tracker Exists – But It’s Underused

Samsung publishes a monthly security bulletin on their Security Updates page, detailing:

Devices eligible for updates
CVEs fixed
One UI-specific patches

Few users ever check it — yet it’s the best way to know what’s coming and whether your device is safe.

12. Bonus Tip: Update Timing Hacks

Want to get updates faster?

Use Samsung Smart Switch for PC — it often pulls firmware updates earlier than OTA
Set your region to one that gets updates sooner (like Germany or South Korea) via Samsung’s CSC switching (advanced users only)
Sign up for Samsung Members Beta programs to test One UI features ahead of release

Final Thoughts: Updates Are Your Device’s Lifeline

It’s easy to ignore monthly updates — they’re small, quiet, and don’t make a big splash like Android version upgrades.

But in reality, they’re the single most important factor in ensuring your phone:

Stays secure
Performs smoothly
Lasts longer
Supports apps properly
Defends against evolving threats

So the next time your phone notifies you of a Samsung or Google update, don’t dismiss it. Download, install, and reboot with confidence — now that you know what really goes on behind the scenes.

Did you find this blog helpful? Share it with your friends and fellow Galaxy or Android users. Let’s spread awareness about the real power of monthly updates!