Why Android 12 is extra special for Samsung Galaxy smartphones

The release of a major new version of Android is an exciting occasion for many of us. It's a yearly event that we all look forward to, as it breathes new life into our smartphones and brings with it many new features and improvements.

Android 12 is no different, but did you know that this year's big Android release is extra special for users of Samsung Galaxy devices? It certainly is: This is the first time any of Samsung's Galaxy phones or tablets will be receiving a third major OS upgrade.

Samsung announced last year that it would start providing three years of OS upgrades to all of its flagships and some of its mid-range smartphones. The new software update policy didn't just apply to devices set to launch after the policy's announcement, though. Samsung also included 2019 devices like the Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Fold, and the Galaxy A51 in the list.

And Android 12 is when we will see the policy go into full effect: The Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 lineups will be the first ever from Samsung to get a third major Android OS upgrade. And the update may not be far, either. Both devices (or at least their 5G variants) have already been spotted running Android 12, and Samsung is targeting a January rollout in many markets.

Whether or not Samsung manages to stick to its schedule notwithstanding, the point is that we will finally see Samsung's industry-defining update promise in action with Android 12, and that's got us excited. Here's hoping we see Samsung give four major OS upgrades to some of its devices in the future, though, because the competition is slowly but surely catching up.