Samsung has started rolling out the Android 14 update alongside One UI 6 to the Galaxy A52. The update brings the latest Android features and Samsung’s refreshed interface to the 2020 mid-range smartphone.
Background
The Galaxy A52 was launched in March 2021 as part of Samsung’s popular A-series lineup of mid-range smartphones. The phone originally shipped with Android 11 and One UI 3.1. Since then, it has received two major OS upgrades:
- Android 12 / One UI 4 in December 2021
- Android 13 / One UI 5 in October 2022
Android 14 will likely be the last major OS update for the Galaxy A52 as Samsung usually provides 2 years of OS upgrades for its mid-range A series models.
Rollout Begins in Europe
Earlier this week, Samsung kicked off the rollout of Android 14 and One UI 6 for the LTE variant of the Galaxy A52 (model number SM-A525F) in Europe. The update is currently seeding out via over-the-air (OTA) updates in:
- Germany
- Poland
- Scandinavia
- Southeast Europe
- the Baltic region
- Kazakhstan
Sources indicate the update will also make its way to Middle Eastern and Asian countries soon.
The OTA update package carries the firmware version A525FXXU4GWC1 and is about 2.3GB in size. It also installs the January 2024 security patches.
Key Features and Changes
Android 14 and One UI 6 introduces a host of new features, customization options, security enhancements, and performance improvements.
Here is an overview of some of the key additions in this update:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Privacy Dashboard | See how often apps have accessed permissions like location, camera etc. over the past 7 days or 24 hours. |
| WiFi auto-network switch | Automatically and seamlessly switch between trusted WiFi networks without losing connectivity. Useful when moving between home and office. |
| New lock screen customizations | New clock styles, font options, and color themes for lock screen along with support for interactive widgets. |
| Modes and Routines | Customize device settings for sleeping, working out, driving etc. Routines can also change modes automatically based on time or location. |
| Improved Samsung keyboard | Better autocorrect, search, and emojis. Support for over 50 new languages. |
| Bugs and performance fixes | Squashes bugs, improves stability, reduces lag, and smoothes out animations. |
What’s Next
Now that the update has begun rolling out in Europe, it should make its way globally over the next few weeks. Sources indicate wider availability can be expected by February end.
The Galaxy A52 5G variant is also slated to get the update soon. The US unlocked and carrier editions of the phone will likely get Android 14 by March/April 2024.
This will be the final major Android update for the Samsung Galaxy A52 series. Users can expect to receive security updates for an additional year before software support ends in early 2025.
Conclusion
The Android 14 upgrade brings Samsung’s 2-year old Galaxy A52 to feature and spec parity with recent budget phone launches. Users can experience the latest advancements without upgrading their hardware.
With its versatile camera setup, vibrant AMOLED display, capable mid-range processor, adequate battery life, expandable storage and 3.5mm jack, the Galaxy A52 remains a solid buy even 3 years from launch. Software support may be ending but the hardware has aged very well.
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