Samsung has started rolling out the March 2022 security update for the Snapdragon variants of the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra. This update made its way to the Exynos 2200 versions of the Galaxy S22 trio not too long ago.
The updates on the three Samsung flagships bear the firmware version S90xEXXU1AVBF. While there’s no changelog available at the moment, Samsung could publish it over the next few days. Given the nature of monthly security patches, the changes should include the usual bug fixes and stability improvements.
SamMobile claims that the update is rolling out across India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. If you’re in either of these regions and aren’t seeing the update yet, navigate to Settings – About phone to download and install the update manually.
Although the Galaxy S22 appears to be surpassing initial sales expectations, the Korean manufacturer is also facing a few challenges. There are legitimate concerns about supply shortages, which have led to the delay of several shipments. Recent reports claim some variants may not be in stock until May 2022.
The Galaxy S22 lineup has fared poorly in repairability and durability tests
Separately, independent sources have pointed out a few flaws in the device’s design. Subsequent teardowns of the Galaxy S22 lineup have offered more context. One of the most reputable sources of device teardowns, iFixit, recently put the Galaxy S22 to the test.
In its analysis, the iFixit team found a few crucial omissions, such as the lack of pull tapes beneath the battery. Instead, Samsung uses glue to keep the battery attached to the body. This means repair technicians will have to use isopropyl alcohol to dissolve the glue and safely remove the battery. This and several other factors led to the Galaxy S22 scoring just three out of 10 on iFixit’s repairability scale.
Additionally, a drop test by Allstate painted a bleak picture of the Galaxy S22’s durability. When dropped on rough concrete from around six feet, all three Galaxy S22 flagships returned cracked screens. Dropping the phones on their backs didn’t bring any favorable results either, primarily due to the glass back.
Is this a dealbreaker for prospective customers of the Galaxy S22? Probably not. But it serves as a reminder that the Galaxy S22 is one of those devices that requires a protective case at all times.
2022-03-08 15:07:07