Samsung S24 Review: Compact, Beautiful, Expensive

Google just took to the stage at I/O 2025 to confirm what Pixel fans already suspected — Android 16 is launching in June. As expected, Pixel devices will be the first to taste the new flavor of Android. It’s bold, sleek, and packed with some seriously exciting changes, including a refreshed design and new AI-powered features that might just change how we interact with our phones.

Samsung, not one to be left behind, also confirmed that its own spin on Android 16 — One UI 8 — will arrive “this summer.” But here’s the thing: many Galaxy users haven’t even received Android 15 yet, which rolled out last year under One UI 7.

Let’s pause for a second. Yes, Android 16 is shiny and new. Yes, One UI 8 sounds exciting. But ask anyone using a midrange Samsung Galaxy phone if they’ve gotten the Android 15 update, and you’re likely to be met with a blank stare or a frustrated sigh.

To be fair, Samsung hasn’t been sleeping on the job — if you’re using one of the flagship Galaxy devices, you probably got the One UI 7 update. Here’s a list of the lucky bunch that have already received Android 15:

Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra
Galaxy S24 FE
Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra
Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra
Galaxy Z Fold 6 / Z Flip 6 / Z Fold SE
Galaxy Z Fold 5 / Z Flip 5
Galaxy Z Fold 4 / Z Flip 4
Galaxy Z Fold 3 / Z Flip 3
Galaxy Tab S10+ / Tab S10 Ultra
Galaxy Tab S9 / S9+ / S9 Ultra
Galaxy Tab S8 / S8+ / S8 Ultra

So yes, Samsung has been pushing One UI 7 pretty aggressively — but only if you’re part of the elite club. If you own one of these devices yet the update hasn’t arrived, go check for updates in the settings menu. Otherwise, it’s just around the corner — because Samsung rolls out updates gradually in different regions.

Now, here’s where things get murky. The Galaxy A series — the real backbone of Samsung’s market in Kenya and many other countries — hasn’t received One UI 7 yet, at least not outside South Korea where only the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A54 have picked up the update.

And it’s not just the older A models being left out in the cold. Even newer, eligible devices like the Galaxy A55 and A35 haven’t gotten the update. Here’s a look at the long list of Galaxy A devices still waiting:

Galaxy A73
Galaxy A55
Galaxy A54
Galaxy A53
Galaxy A35
Galaxy A34
Galaxy A33
Galaxy A25
Galaxy A24
Galaxy A23
Galaxy A16 (LTE + 5G)
Galaxy A15 (LTE + 5G)
Galaxy A14 (LTE + 5G)

If you own one of these, talk of Android 16 might feel like a cruel joke — you still have to get past Android 15 first.

The big (and old) Android problem

Remember when Android fragmentation used to be the talking point in tech circles? Well, Google’s done a lot to patch things up in recent years — pushing its own Pixel phones, optimizing how fast brands can push updates, and so on. And it’s worked… sort of. But Samsung — despite being the biggest Android phone maker on the planet — still seems to be running two different universes: one for its flagships and foldables, and another for its midrange and budget phones. That divide is very real.

And while Samsung has every right to prioritize its top-end customers, let’s not forget: the Galaxy A series is where the bulk of users are, including here in Kenya. The neglect is hard to justify. Apple, for all its walled garden antics, does one thing right — every supported iPhone gets the new iOS update on day one. No wondering if your region, model, or color variant will be “next.” Just download, install, and move on. If only the same could be said about Apple Intelligence.

Samsung, on the other hand? Well, even if your phone is eligible, you might still be stuck in the waiting room depending on where you live.

So now we want to hear from you — yes, you reading this on your Galaxy phone.