[Update: S10/Note 20] December 2020 patch already rolling out for Galaxy S9 series

Damien Wilde | Dec 7 2020 - 1:52 am PT

The December 2020 patch is now already rolling out for the Galaxy S9 and S9+, maintaining Samsung’s vastly improved update track record throughout 2020.

[Update 12/07]: After the Galaxy S9 series was treated to the latest December 2020 security patch, the newer and more capable Galaxy S10 and Note 20 series are now in line to get the latest update (via SamMobile). The update has started rolling out in the Baltic regions first, which does indicate that those with Exynos variants will be first in line. We’re not sure how this will affect the Snapdragon series but we’d imagine once localizations are made, then updates will begin rolling out.

This also coincides with the start of the One UI 3.0 rollout for the latest series handsets, so you may actually begin to see that alongside the December patch first. However, depending on the way that Samsung does rollout this incremental security patch, it will determine how and when you receive the OneUI 3.0 update.

You should see firmware versions N986BXXU1ATK4 begin rolling out for the Note 20 series with the December 2020 security patch. No word on the firmware build for the S10 series though as yet. Now might be the time to head to your device Settings > System updates panel and hitting refresh.

Given that the Pixel series is yet to receive the latest patch, it’s great to see the world’s biggest smartphone OEM getting older devices such as the Galaxy S9 and S9+ up-to-date and secure ahead of the holiday season. Now it’s worth noting that OEMs do have access to the patches way ahead of time, so while it’s impressive, it should really be expected rather than being an edge-case.

However, if you do have the Galaxy S9 or S9+, then the December 2020 security patch should now be rolling out (via SamMobile). Firmware build numbers G960FXXSCFTK2 and G965FXXSCFTK2 are now heading out, although we believe these are Exynos-specific builds for the S9 and S9+ respectively.

Both devices were updated to One UI 2.1 earlier this year and have since been updated to the latest One UI 2.5 update. It’s not entirely clear if the Galaxy S9 or S9+ will get updated to Android 11 in the form of One UI 3.0 but the December 2020 security patch is an indication that monthly patches show no signs of slowing ahead of support being removed fully in 2022.

From early-2021, the Galaxy S9 series will drop from monthly patches to quarterly — coinciding with three years since the device hit shelves across the globe. From March 2021 onwards, it is expected to drop to quarterly patches until March 2022. From this date, only major exploits will be patched.

Back in the here and now, should you have the Galaxy S9 or S9+, you should be able to pull the December 2020 security patch by heading to Settings > System updates and hitting refresh. That said, your OTA update may take a while due to regional localizations, etc.