Samsung is releasing a new software update for the Galaxy A70 in the US. The aging mid-range smartphone gets the latest security patch, namely the December 2022 SMR (Security Maintenance Release). It could be the penultimate update for the phone.
An aging Galaxy A70 gets the December security update
The December SMR for the Galaxy A70 is rolling out in the US with firmware version A705USQS2DVK1. The update is available for carrier-locked devices on the Comcast network (via). Since the device had limited release in the US, this probably covers most people. This update has already reached users in most international markets, including Europe and Canada. The build number varies slightly, but the content is largely the same. Samsung is only pushing the December security patch here.
Last month’s security release patched 80 vulnerabilities in Galaxy devices. Some of these issues were rated critical by Google, with the most severe allowing remote code execution. Some others leaked sensitive information to remote attackers. 13 vulnerability patches that were part of the December SMR were exclusive to Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Of course, not every problem exists on every device, but the majority does. Galaxy A70 is safe from all those after the latest update.
As mentioned, this could be the penultimate software update for the Galaxy A70. Released in May 2019, the phone will be on the market for four years in May next year. Samsung’s official support for it should then end. And we don’t expect the company to install more than one update for the device from now on unless it continues support after the designated period. The Galaxy A70 has received three updates throughout 2022 – security patches for March, June and December.
Of course, this phone won’t get Android 13; it didn’t get Android 12 either. The Galaxy A70 debuted with Android 9 Pie and received Android 10 and Android 11 updates. If you’re using this phone, you might want to consider upgrading to a newer model. However, you won’t find a 2023 model in this lineup. Samsung reportedly has no plans to launch the Galaxy A74.
Samsung is dropping the Galaxy A74 in favor of the Galaxy S22 FE
The Galaxy A7x range is Samsung’s highest-end mid-range smartphone since it discontinued the Galaxy A8x and Galaxy A9x. But it can also be omitted from this year. The company is reportedly planning to place the Galaxy S22 FE between the Galaxy A54 and the base model Galaxy S23. The Galaxy S23 series is said to be officially released on February 1st.
