The latest security patch for the Galaxy Note 20 duo is currently available for users with a carrier-locked unit. The updated firmware version for phones is N98USQS3GVKA. Having recently picked up the Android 13-based One UI 5.0 update, the phones aren’t getting any new features or improvements with this release. Samsung has already seeded the new security patch to the Galaxy Note 20 phones in most international markets. Samsung has also released the December SMR for the 4G-only models of the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. As of this writing, the update is live in Switzerland and comes with firmware version N98FXXS5GVK9. These phones didn’t arrive in the US and had a limited release in international markets too. But, the company should soon cover units in all markets where the devices were sold. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A53 5G is receiving the December SMR in the US. This premium mid-range model is picking up the latest security release with firmware version A536U1UES4AVK6 for unlocked units. Samsung hasn’t rolled out the update for carrier-locked models yet. This release doesn’t bring anything else. You’re only getting this month’s vulnerability fixes.
The Galaxy A53 5G is still pending a wider Android 13 release in the US
Samsung’s Android 13 update for the Galaxy A53 5G in the US hasn’t picked up steam yet. The company began the rollout for carrier-locked variants last week along with the November security patch. However, the release isn’t yet live for units on all carriers. Moreover, unlocked versions are now getting the December SMR ahead of the latest Android version. It’s unclear if Samsung’s engineers discovered some bug and halted the release or if something else is causing the delay. We hope the company will not take much longer to update the US-bound Galaxy A53 5G to Android 13. Most international markets have already got the big Android release. In the interim, users with an unlocked model can update to the latest security patch. Carrier-locked units should also soon pick up the December SMR stateside. A global rollout of this month’s security patch for the Galaxy A53 5G should be right around the corner.