Will Samsung Galaxy A9 2018 Get Android 11 (One UI 3.0) Update?

Samsung has really changed the way it handles security and firmware updates in the last few years. Previously, the brand was regarded as one of the worst OEMs in terms of software updates. However, during the last couple of years or so, Samsung has been delivering regular security updates to its devices, even touching devices that are out of the update cycle. Also when it comes to delivering Android OS updates, Samsung sits beside some of the top names like Google, OnePlus, etc. in delivering faster OS updates. In fact, this year, the company officially announced that it will push three years of software updates for the devices sold in 2019 and after.

This makes such a huge impact in the lives of the devices, and is one good policy for user retention, as the devices will last longer. Now, talk about the elephant in the room, Android 11 One UI 3.0 has been one of the hot topics. And just like everyone else, users of Galaxy A9 2018, are wondering whether their device will pick the latest update or not? In this post, we will try to answer this question and will share with you all the details regarding the same. With that being said, let us get straight into the article itself:

What’s New in Samsung One UI 3.0?

Fans are excited about the latest features that Samsung has included with the Android 11-based One UI 3.0 update. Talk about the features, some UI elements have been changed, and the look and feel of some native apps like Gallery, Contacts, Phone, and Messages have also been improved. Some nifty features like a double tap on the screen to lock, customization of call screen, etc have also been added. The navigation gestures have also been improved, you can use Bluetooth in Airplane mode is also added.

Further improvements have been added to the camera app, some new filters have been added, the Single Take feature has been improved, auto-focus and auto-exposure features have been improved, Galaxy phones with higher zooming capabilities will take advantage of the improved stabilization. Other features like improved battery optimization, AOD widgets improvement, Samsung DeX optimization, etc. make the Android 11 One UI 3.0 a good update. Just for your reference, here is the official changelog that depicts all the changes and features that Android 11 One UI 3.0 update will bring for the eligible phones:

One UI 3 Upgrade (Android 11)
One UI 3 is designed to help you focus on what matters. Our visual redesign has improved the places you visit the most, like the Home screen and quick panel, to reduce distractions, highlight important information, and make your experience more consistent. Performance improvements will help apps run quicker while using less battery power. And One UI 3 puts the control in your hands with new privacy controls, one-time permissions, and enhanced Digital Wellbeing. Scroll down for a full list of changes.

• Visual design
  We’ve refreshed the look and feel of One UI 3 in lots of ways, big and small, from new, more consistent icons to smarter organization of the quick panel and notifications. Motion is smoother and more natural than ever, with improved animations and haptic feedback for common interactions. And the interface responds to different screen sizes to provide the best experience on any device, whether it’s a phone, foldable, or tablet.
• Improved performance
  We optimized One UI 3 with enhanced dynamic memory allocation, so apps run faster and perform better. We’ve also restricted background activities to provide better performance and power usage.
• Better customization
  • New image categories have been added to the Dynamic Lock screen, and you can select up to 5 categories at once.
  • On the Lock screen, you can add a widget to check your usage time.
  • Get an interactive preview when setting a wallpaper.
  • Adjusting the Always On Display and Lock screen is easier.
  • Add a call background to see a picture or video when you make or receive a call.
  • In Samsung Internet, you can reorder and lock tabs.
  • Bixby Routines has, even more, controls to help you automate your life.
  • New icons and Lock screen widgets make it easier to find and control your routines.
  • Use Digital Wellbeing with separate personal and work profiles. Enhanced features
• Home screen and Lock screen
  • Add widgets by touching and holding an app on the Home screen.
  • Turn off the screen by double-tapping on an empty space on the Home or Lock screen. (Set it up in Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures.)
  • On the Lock screen, tap the clock area to see widgets like calendar, weather, and music. Calls and chats
  • See conversations separately in the notification panel. Works with Messages and your favorite chat apps.
  • Easily remove duplicate contacts stored in the same account in Contacts. The storage period for deleted contacts has been extended from 15 days to 30 days.
  • Added the ability to edit multiple linked contacts from a single screen.
  • Added Trash in Messages so that recently deleted messages are stored for 30 days. Pictures and videos
  • Take pictures quicker with improved autofocus and auto exposure.
  • View, edit, and share pictures and videos more easily from Gallery.
  • Find pictures and videos quicker with new search features and categories in Gallery.
  • Revert edited pictures to their original versions at any time, even after they’re saved, so you never lose a shot.
• Settings
  • Settings have a new simpler look and feel. Your Samsung account is shown at the top, and Home screen settings are now easier to access.
  • Find the settings you need more easily with new Search features. You’ll get better results for synonyms and common misspellings, and you can tap on tags to see groups of related settings.
  • Quick settings buttons have been reduced to provide only the most commonly used features. You can also add buttons to create your own customized quick panel.
• Samsung Keyboard
  • Increased the number of input languages to 370.
  • Made it easier to paste copied images and verification codes from text messages.
  • Added emoji and sticker suggestions when you enter a text-based emoticon.
  • Improved the keyboard layout to provide a larger space bar when entering web and email addresses.
  • Reorganized Keyboard settings so it’s easier to access frequently used settings.
• Productivity
  Maintain a healthy balance between work and life by minimizing repetitive and complicated tasks and handling them efficiently.
  • New routines will be recommended based on your daily life and usage patterns.
  • Bixby Routines provide a setting to return everything to the way it was before the routine ran.
  • On Internet, you can hide the status and navigation bars for a more immersive experience and quickly translate webpages.
  • You’ll be prompted to block websites that send too many pop-ups or notifications.
  • You can browse and select cloud drive files from the file selection screen in My Files.
  • You can now delete cache files in My Files to easily free up storage space.
  • Events with the same start time are displayed together in the month and list views in Calendar.
  • Use your phone or tablet app icon layout in Samsung DeX so you know where everything is.
  • Open the touchpad from the navigation bar on your phone or tablet.
• Easy media and device control
  Media and device control are easier with the improved media panel in notifications. You can see recently used media apps and quickly change the playback device. You can also check Android Auto settings in the Advanced features menu in Settings.
• Identify and improve your digital habits
  Improved Digital Wellbeing features make it easy to check how you’re using your phone or tablet and help you form good digital habits. Check your usage while driving or see weekly changes in your screen time by function at a glance through upgraded weekly reports.
• Accessibility for everyone
  One UI 3 recommends useful accessibility features for you based on your usage. The improved Accessibility shortcut makes accessibility features easier to start and use. You can use the Speak keyboard input aloud feature to get voice feedback on your typing even when TalkBack is turned off.
• Stronger privacy protection
  You can now let the app access your microphone, camera, or location just one time. Any permissions that an app hasn’t used in a while will be automatically revoked. You can no longer give apps permission to always see your location in the regular permission popup. To let apps access your location when they’re not in use, you need to go to the location permission page for the app in Settings.
• Additional improvements
  In Clock, you can hear the time and preset name of the alarm read aloud when an alarm rings. Some apps will need to be updated separately after the One UI 3 update. App copies made using Dual messenger can no longer access SD card files directly. To share SD card files in an app copy, select the files in Gallery or My Files, tap Share, then select the app copy.
  – Easily remove duplicate contacts stored in the same account in Contacts. The storage period for deleted contacts has been extended from 15 days to 30 days.
  – You can view and edit the entire list of linked contacts in the integrated editing screen in Contacts.
  – Added Trash in Messages so that recently deleted messages are stored for 30 days.
  – Added Do not disturb for games so that you can focus on playing, as well as other improvements for enhanced performance.
  – Some apps will need to be updated separately after the One UI 3 update.

Will Samsung Galaxy A9 2018 Get Android 11 (One UI 3.0) Update?

To cut your wait short, the answer to this question is No. And this is because Samsung has up until now, released a few times, the list of Android 11 One UI 3.0 eligible devices, and nowhere it is mentioned that the Galaxy A9 2018 has been listed. For your reference, you can check out the list of eligible Android 11 One UI 3.0 devices below:

• December 2020
  – Galaxy S20
  – Galaxy S20+
  – Galaxy S20 Ultra
• January 2021
  – Galaxy Note 10
  – Galaxy Note 10+
  – Galaxy Note 20
  – Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
  – Galaxy S10
  – Galaxy S10+
  – Galaxy S10 Lite
  – Galaxy Z Fold 2
  – Galaxy Z Flip
• February 2021
  – Galaxy Fold
• March 2021
  – Galaxy A51
  – Galaxy M21
  – Galaxy M30s
  – Galaxy M31
  – Galaxy Note 10 Lite
  – Galaxy Tab S7
• April 2021
  – Galaxy A50
  – Galaxy M51
• May 2021
  – Galaxy A21s
  – Galaxy A31
  – Galaxy A70
  – Galaxy A71
  – Galaxy A80
  – Galaxy Tab S6
  – Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
• June 2021
  – Galaxy A01
  – Galaxy A01 Core
  – Galaxy A11
  – Galaxy M11
  – Galaxy Tab A
• July 2021
  – Galaxy A30
  – Galaxy Tab S5e
• August 2021
  – Galaxy A10
  – Galaxy A10s
  – Galaxy A20
  – Galaxy A20s
  – Galaxy A30s
  – Galaxy Tab A 10.1
  – Galaxy Tab Active Pro

So, long story short, there is some sad news for all the Galaxy A9 2018 smartphone users, as the phone may not get the Android 11 One UI 3.0 update. Besides, the device came with Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box and has up to now, received two major OS updates in the form of Android 9 Pie and Android 10. So, that rests the case for the device receiving another Android OS update as Samsung has a clear policy of rolling out two major OS updates for its devices. And Galaxy A9 2018 has already bagged both of its OS updates.

Wrap Up!

So, to round it off, there are very minute chances that the Galaxy A9 2018 will bag yet another Android OS update in the form of Android 11 One UI 3.0. However, you can keep a track of all the latest developments regarding One UI 3.0 by checking out our dedicated Samsung One UI 3.0 update tracker.

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