Samsung restructures Android update process for all users
In a groundbreaking move, Samsung has adopted trunk-based development for its One UI 8, significantly streamlining the update process for Android devices. This new approach, which consolidates all development into a single stable code branch, is expected to become standard for other Android brands in the future.
Previously, Android and OEMs like Samsung used a branch-based development approach, which caused complex and time-consuming merges that led to "merge conflicts" - bugs that required extensive fixing. The trunk-based approach, termed "Trunk Stable" by Google, maintains one internal development branch that stays stable at all times. New features are integrated behind feature flags, keeping them inactive until fully ready, which avoids instability and expedites release schedules.
This shift in development strategy has had a profound impact on the update process. Faster software update rollouts are now possible due to the codebase staying stable, and the reduced engineering effort spent resolving branch merges has accelerated the entire development cycle. Closer alignment between Google’s Android release schedule and OEM update delivery has also been achieved, enabling brands like Samsung to offer timely updates.
Samsung's adoption of trunk-based development has resulted in a rapid rollout of One UI 8, just weeks after Android 16 became official. This speed is due in part to Samsung's collaboration with Google on trunk-based development, a move that has put Samsung at the forefront of implementing this method among manufacturers.
Looking ahead, this means Android manufacturers employing trunk-based development can expect quicker, more reliable releases and improved coordination with Google’s own release cadence. Samsung's goal to match Google's update speed will likely lead to users receiving major Android versions and One UI updates with less delay compared to the slower past approach.
Samsung is also offering extended updates for its flagship devices. The S24 and Z Fold 6, for example, will receive up to 7 years of updates, potentially extending updates until 2032. Furthermore, Samsung is further developing Galaxy AI, incorporating real-time call translation, AI image editing, and writing assistance into the system, which relies on Google's Gemini AI with added Samsung-specific features.
The update experience is changing, with less emphasis on Android version numbers and more on brand-specific features. All new features, such as those in One UI 8, are expected to come to devices eventually, but at a varying pace for different manufacturers. Samsung is currently leading in implementing trunk-based development among manufacturers, but others like Xiaomi and OnePlus may soon catch up.
This approach allows Samsung, Google, and potentially other manufacturers to build Android versions in parallel, enabling faster and more frequent updates. The rollout of updates is expected to become standard for other Android brands in the future, marking a new era for Android updates that promises quicker, more reliable, and more brand-specific updates for users.
[1] https://9to5google.com/2022/02/24/trunk-based-development-android-16/ [2] https://www.androidpolice.com/2022/03/15/samsung-galaxy-s22-series-android-16-one-ui-4-0-update-details/ [3] https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/15/22982930/samsung-galaxy-s22-android-16-one-ui-4-0-update-details-features
As Samsung leads the way in implementing trunk-based development, this strategy promises quicker, more reliable, and more brand-specific updates for Samsung devices, such as the S24 and Z Fold 6. With up to 7 years of updates potential, users can anticipate less delays in receiving major Android versions and One UI updates compared to the slower past approach.
In the future, Android manufacturers adopting trunk-based development may be able to build Android versions in parallel, enabling faster and more frequent updates for smartphones and other gadgets, improving the overall technology user experience.
