For the unlocked Galaxy Note 9 in the US, this update comes with firmware version N960U1UES9FVC2. The rollout is already available on most networks, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Xfinity Mobile, and Comcast. The latest update for the carrier-locked Galaxy Note 9, meanwhile, isn’t as widely available yet. As of this writing, the OTA (over the air) package has hit units on Sprint and T-Mobile. However, it shouldn’t be long before other carriers join the party. The updated firmware version for the phone is N960USQS9FVC5.
Galaxy Note 9 doesn’t have much life left in it
Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 9 back in August 2018. The phablet debuted with Android 8.1 Oreo and has received the promised two major OS updates to Android 9 Pie and Android 10. The Korean brand has revised its software support multiple times in the last couple of years, promising up to four generations of Android updates to its flagship models. However, that generosity doesn’t extend to devices launched in 2018. Newer Galaxy flagships will also receive five years of security updates. But again, the likes of the Galaxy Note 9 aren’t eligible for that support. It will only receive security updates for four years from launch. And the sad part is those four years are almost over. Come September 2022, Samsung could stop offering software support for the Galaxy Note 9. The Korean firm recently dropped support for the Galaxy S9 series that launched in early 2018. Nonetheless, the Galaxy Note 9 still has a few months of life left in it and should receive a few more security updates before it reaches the end of life. If you’re rocking this four-year-old Galaxy in the US, the March update is now coming your way. It isn’t the latest security patch available as the April SMR (security maintenance release) is already out. Several Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones have received the new SMR. But it’s still nice to see the Korean brand pushing a fairly new security patch to the Galaxy Note 9. The March SMR fixes more than 50 vulnerabilities. As always, your phone will notify you of the OTA update when available. You can also manually check for updates from the Settings app.
