Samsung released the Android 13 update to the Galaxy Z Fold 2's international version two months ago. Last month, the update reached the US unlocked version of the Galaxy Z Fold 2. Today, the South Korean firm has released the Android 13 update to the carrier-locked version of the smartphone.
The Android 13-based One UI 5.0 update for the carrier-locked version of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 comes with firmware version F916USQU2IVK5 in the US. The update also brings the November 2022 security patch to the foldable phone. Even though the device is supposed to get security updates every month, the phone hasn't received the updates for December 2022 and January 2023 yet.
The new update is available on Sprint and T-Mobile's networks in the US, and more network carriers in the country could release the update within the next few weeks.
If you are a Galaxy Z Fold 2 user in the US with a carrier-locked version on the networks mentioned above, you can download the Android 13 update by heading to Settings » Software update and tapping Download and install. You can also opt to download the new firmware file from our firmware database and flash it manually.
What's new with Galaxy Z Fold 2's Android 13 update?
The Android 13 update for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 brings a refreshed UI design, featuring the expanded Color Palette (Material You) feature, improved widgets, bigger app icons in notifications, enhanced blur effects, and smoother transitions. The update also brings easier lock screen customizations and wallpaper choices.
Samsung has renamed Bixby Routines to Modes & Routines and simplified its usage. Bedtime Mode has been renamed to Sleep Mode. The company has also made it easier to discover routines so that more people can use them. The Settings app now has a Connected Devices menu where you can find all features related to connected devices, including Android Auto, Quick Share, Samsung DeX, and Smart View.
The Privacy and Security sections of the Settings app have been merged into a single section. One UI 5.0 simplifies camera app usage as it makes zooming with one hand easier. The Pro mode now has information on all features and a histogram to check exposure. The camera app now offers the watermarking feature. Samsung has also enabled the telephoto camera in its camera's Food mode. Single Take and Stories have been enhanced as well.
The built-in Photo Editor and Video Editor in the Gallery app have been improved with new features and effects. There are now more ways to edit a GIF. The phone keeps the portrait mode effect even after more edits have been applied. You can turn drawing on images into perfect shapes by long pressing the image after you're done drawing shapes in the image editor. Samsung has added 60 new emoji stickers to the editor.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 also gets more AR Emojis, emoji pairs, and the option to use transparent backgrounds for AR Emojis. Samsung Keyboard now has 80 more emojis to create animated emoji pairs. The taskbar in Samsung DeX mode has been improved, adding a mini calendar widget, a new notification indicator, and quicker actions through the right-click function.
Android 13 makes app notifications opt-in, so each and every app needs to ask your permission before it can send a notification. Notification settings are now easier to access. You can set a separate language for each app, set exceptions for the Do Not Disturb mode, have more controls over app notifications' sound and vibration settings, and customize RAM Plus.
The foldable smartphone also gets Maintenance Mode which you can use to keep your data safe while handing over the phone in a service center. When you attempt to share images that contain sensitive information (such as credit card numbers or login information), the phone will notify you so that you can take appropriate measures.
New accessibility features that Android 13-based One UI 5.0 brings to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 include quick setting toggles for High Contrast Font, Color Inversion, Color Adjustment, and Color Filter. Magnifier is easier to access, more spoken assistance features are available, and accessibility buttons can be edited.
