After months of waiting, the Android 13 update is finally available to users of unlocked Galaxy S20 phones in the US. Samsung has also released the major Android update for the unlocked Galaxy A42 5G in the United States. Both devices get the company’s custom One UI 5.0 software.
Samsung started rolling out the Android 13-based One UI 5.0 update for the Galaxy S20 series in early November last year. After the initial release in some international markets, the rollout reached the US in mid-November. However, the update was only available for the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra with a carrier lock. We expected Samsung to cover unlocked units in a week or two, but it didn’t.
Now, after a two-month wait, users with an unlocked Galaxy S20 are finally getting a taste of Android 13 in the US. SamMobile confirms that the rollout is live for units on virtually every network, including AT&T, Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular South, Comcast, Cricket, Nextech, Sprint, US Cellular, Verizon, and Xfinity Mobile. The remaining few should also be on board soon. The new firmware version for the Galaxy S20 trio is G98*U1UEU3GVL5.
The Android 13 update is also available for unlocked Galaxy A42 5G devices in the US. Unlike the Galaxy S20, users of this mid-range phone didn’t have to wait much longer for the major Android update. The carrier-locked units received it just over a week ago.
The update for the unlocked units comes with firmware version A426U1UEU4DVL3 and is already widely available, including on AT&T, Verizon, Bluegrass Cellular, Xfinity Mobile, Comcast, US Cellular, and other networks.
If you’re using an unlocked Galaxy S20 or Galaxy A42 5G in the US, the Android 13 update should be available to you soon. It brings loads of new features, changes and improvements to your phone. We have a revamped system UI, improved animations and transitions, improved privacy and security, and more extras. The devices also get newer security patches. The December 2022 release for the Galaxy S20 and the November 2022 patch for the Galaxy A42 5G.
The Galaxy S20 series is getting one more One UI update
Samsung launched the Galaxy S20 series with standard Android 10 at the beginning of 2020. In the past three years, the phones have received updates for Android 11, Android 12 and Android 13. They are not eligible for more. Android 14 will not reach them.
However, Samsung will roll out One UI 5.1 to 2020 flagships. The new One UI version will debut next month with the Galaxy S23 series. The Galaxy S23 trio will probably get it in March. We’ll let you know when the rollout begins.