Past the Alphabet
Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each in and out of the confines of Mountain View.
Oh the woes of residing on the sting. Earlier this week, Samsung began rolling out the primary One UI 7 beta. Naturally, it is first being made out there to people who personal one of many Galaxy S24 flagship fashions (sorry, S24 FE.)
Nonetheless, when the rumor mill picked up steam main as much as the official announcement, I hoped to spend my weekend messing round with One UI 7 on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The announcement got here and went, and there was no point out of the Fold 6 being included within the beta program.
In truth, there wasn’t any point out of Samsung’s flagship foldable telephones in any respect. As an alternative, they’ve simply been roped in with the remainder of the corporate’s lineup, with Samsung stating “According to Samsung’s dedication to increase its OS improve coverage, the replace will progressively roll out to different Galaxy units.”
I did not truly count on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to be included within the One UI 7 beta program. Particularly contemplating what number of occasions rumors have surfaced about Samsung needing to delay the rollout. It is obvious that this is not simply your run-of-the-mill replace, as extra Galaxy AI options are on the best way, together with the brand new “Now Bar” and improved digicam controls.
Clearly, Samsung goes to prioritize its slab telephones over foldables, however there’s simply one thing that leaves me feeling a bit disillusioned.
We’re heading into 12 months 6 of the foldable cellphone experiment, with Samsung arguably offering essentially the most helpful and dependable software program expertise of all of them. So why is it that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Flip 6 aren’t even talked about in a footnote for being included or subsequent in line?
But once more, it feels as if foldable cellphone enjoyers are being handled like second-class residents who’ve a first-class funds. Samsung has made it abundantly clear that it’s greater than keen to ship out the identical cellphone for 3 years in a row, raking in income after which apologizing for “failing to innovate.” Solely to launch a cellphone with the modifications we have been wanting, however restrict it to only one particular area.
Foldable telephones are a distinct segment product class, I get it. And I do know that inside that area of interest, there’s an excellent smaller group that might entertain the thought of putting in beta software program. However this is my counterargument — if I already know that I am a part of an experiment, what makes you suppose that I would not need to be included in one other one?
It has been greater than two years since I wrote about my experiences residing within the “beta way of life,” however nothing’s modified. Nicely, I take that again. The units and a few of the apps have modified, however every thing else I expressed in that article nonetheless rings true.
A few of it positively has to do with FOMO, as there are some intriguing additions coming to One UI 7. Nonetheless, there’s additionally a sneaking suspicion that this could be an indication of issues to return. Not that Samsung goes to ditch its foldable telephones, however that we could be heading for a tough patch with One UI software program updates.
We have had the secure model of Android 15 since mid-October, but right here we’re virtually two months later, and there is not any clear timeline for when it should come to the Fold. And if Samsung is having this a lot of a difficulty already, what does that say for older fashions just like the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and even the Galaxy S23 Extremely?
I used to be going to only bypass the cash argument till I noticed that the $850 Galaxy S24 will get a style earlier than the $1,800 Z Fold 6. Sure, I do know that I answered the explanation as to why that is the case already, however my level nonetheless stands.
It isn’t like we’re speaking about an organization with restricted budgets and sources which may situation one or two updates, six months after the discharge. That is Samsung. You recognize, the corporate that generated virtually $60 BILLION in income in Q3 2024. In my thoughts, there’s actually no excuse for any of its flagship telephones to be left behind, even when they don’t seem to be as in style or promoting as properly.
Hell, Google not solely included the Pixel 9 Professional Fold in its first Android 16 Developer Preview launch, however it’s additionally out there for the unique Pixel Fold. Positive, some options are sure to be lacking, however that is to be anticipated provided that Google fumbled the discharge anyway.
The purpose is that if Google can do it, why cannot Samsung? If it wished to, Samsung may, and for causes which can be under my pay grade to know, selected to not.
