Samsung starts its Android 11 rollout with Verizon's Galaxy S20

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Bader
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Bader (Image credit: Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Samsung is rolling out Android 11 with One UI 3.0 to Verizon Galaxy S20 phones.
  • This includes the base S20 model as well as the Ultra.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is not included at this time.

Samsung is now rolling out Android 11 to some Galaxy S20 models just a few months after the update launched on Pixel and OnePlus phones. The update was always expected to arrive in December, but few thought it would come on the literal first week of the month.

It is hitting Verizon phones first, and the carrier has already published release notes for the update. This first round of releases includes all of the S20 launch models — the S20, the S20 Plus, and the S20 Ultra. The S20 FE is not being updated at this time.

As it's Android 11, we already know what to expect. Samsung phones will now have the bubbles, the improved privacy settings, and the new notifications categories Android 11 users have been enjoying since September. The company also adds its own spice with One UI, so users can expect updates to Bixby, Dex, and even mundane things like the lockscreen for a more distinctive Android experience. Samsung also continues its work on camera improvements, and S20 users will find they have better auto-focus and auto exposure capabilities with this release.

Source: Verizon

You can read our more detailed look at One UI 3.0 here. In the meantime, don't expect the update to hit your phone immediately. It'll be rolling out slowly over the next couple of weeks as all carrier updates tend to, but it shouldn't be more than a month.

Have you received Android 11 with One UI 3.0? Let us know in the comments below.

Have you listened to this week's Android Central Podcast?

Android Central

Every week, the Android Central Podcast brings you the latest tech news, analysis and hot takes, with familiar co-hosts and special guests.

  • Subscribe in Pocket Casts: Audio
  • Subscribe in Spotify: Audio
  • Subscribe in iTunes: Audio
Michael Allison