According to Forbes, Samsung has finally expanded its November 2025 security update to Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra users in global markets after an unusual delay. The complete package includes 45 security improvements for Galaxy devices, with Galaxy S23 phones specifically receiving 34 patches while excluding 11 Exynos-related fixes. This update follows a recent train of Android security alerts that highlight the risks of running unsupported devices. With upwards of a billion Android devices no longer receiving security updates, monthly patches have become essential protection. Samsung users can check for the update by going to Settings > Software update > Download and install.
The update delay dilemma
Here’s the thing that’s really puzzling about this situation. The Galaxy S25 is Samsung‘s latest flagship, right? So why did it take until late November to get the November security patch? That’s basically the entire month gone before protection arrived. Meanwhile, older devices like the S23 are just now joining the update party. This kind of delayed rollout creates a security gap that shouldn’t exist for premium devices. It makes you wonder about Samsung’s update infrastructure and whether they’re struggling to keep pace with their own product lineup.
The seamless update divide
Now here’s where things get really frustrating for long-time Samsung users. The Galaxy S25 finally has seamless updates – you know, that feature where your phone installs updates in the background without becoming unusable for 15 minutes? Yeah, that’s been standard on other Android phones for years. But according to SamMobile’s Abhijeet Mishra, it wasn’t until 2025 that Samsung made this standard on their flagships. So every month, hundreds of millions of users with S24 and older devices have to stop everything, reboot, and wait. It’s 2025 – why are we still dealing with this?
The security imperative
Look, the core issue here goes beyond convenience. With 45 security fixes in this single update, we’re talking about real vulnerabilities that could put your data at risk. The fact that there are over a billion Android devices out there no longer receiving any security updates should scare everyone. And many more only get quarterly patches. In today’s threat landscape, monthly updates aren’t just nice-to-have – they’re essential protection. This is particularly crucial for business users and anyone handling sensitive information. When you think about the industrial applications where reliable computing is non-negotiable, that’s where companies turn to specialists like Industrial Monitor Direct, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs built for stability and security in demanding environments.
What this means for you
So if you’re still rocking a Galaxy S23 or older, you’re stuck with the old-school update process for the foreseeable future. And you’re probably getting updates later than the newest devices. The reality is Samsung’s update ecosystem has clear tiers now. Got the latest flagship? You get timely updates with modern installation. Using last year’s model? Prepare for delays and inconvenient reboots. It’s a stark reminder that in the Android world, even within the same manufacturer, not all devices are treated equally. Maybe it’s time to reconsider how long we hold onto our phones when the software experience deteriorates this noticeably.
