Samsung phones finally getting a new Google Play System update

Generally, Samsung offers two types of software updates to Galaxy smartphones and tablets. First, the ones that fix bugs and offer new features. Second, the ones that offer security patches, making the devices more secure. However, those aren’t the only software updates these devices get. Along with Samsung, Google also sends software updates to Galaxy phones in the form of Google Play System updates.

However, Google hadn’t offered a Google Play System update to Galaxy smartphones and tablets for a long time, as we reported in December 2025, with some devices still running on the July 1, 2025, Google Play System version. Well, that’s finally changing. Select Galaxy phones and tablets are getting the January 1, 2026, Google Play System update. We have received it on our Galaxy S23, and it is 90MB in size.

According to Google, the January 2026 Google Play System update offers upgrades to Android WebView, Google Play Services, Account Management, Security & Privacy, Utilities, Wallet, Google Play Store, Android System Intelligence, Private Compute Services, and much more. You can check out the complete changelog here.

Speaking of software updates, Samsung smartphones and tablets listed here will soon get a major software update, which will offer One UI 8.5 (Android 16 QPR2). You can check out the upgrades it brings in our article dedicated to the topic. The South Korean tech giant is also developing One UI 9.0, which is based on Android 17.