Samsung remains the king of firmware updates across the Android landscape. Even though things might not always go as planned and beta update programs can last longer than we'd like, Samsung's OS update policies are ahead of the curve.
As of this writing, no other Android OEM supports its phones and tablets like Samsung does; not even Google, although rumor has it that the latter company is planning seven years of updates for the Pixel 8.
As you may have heard, Samsung announced two new Android tablets under the growing Fan Edition sub-brand. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+ are not exactly flagship tablets, but they happen to borrow some characteristics from the Tab S9 flagship models. So, what about firmware updates? How does Samsung plan to support the 2023 FE line?
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Four major OS upgrades are on the way
Samsung confirmed today that the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+ are “designed to last with four OS upgrades and five years of security patches.”
The two Fan Edition tablets ship with Android 13 and One UI 5.1.1, meaning Samsung will eventually update them to Android 17 later this decade.
Offering four OS upgrades has become a part of Samsung's standard policy for the majority of new Galaxy devices, and the Galaxy Tab S9 FE series doesn't disappoint. These Fan Edition tablets will get the same support as the flagship Tab S9 series announced in late July, which also shipped with Android 13.
Granted, the high-end Tab S9 will likely receive new Android OS and One UI updates faster than these FE devices, but in the end, they will all receive the same amount of OS upgrades.
If you're interested in buying one of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE models, prices start at $449 / €529, and the tablets will hit the shelves in select markets on October 10.
