Android

5 Things to Know About the Samsung Galaxy Android 11 Beta

Published

4 years ago

09/30/2020

Samsung’s confirmed its Android 11 beta program and it’s running it a little bit different than it has in past years.

After staying silent for months, Samsung’s finally talking about its plans for Android 11.

The company has confirmed an Android 11 beta program for Galaxy devices and the confirmation came a lot earlier than usual. Samsung typically announces its plans after Google’s pushed the official version of its new operating system to Pixel devices. This year, the company’s revealed its plans ahead the official Android 11 release.

Samsung’s Android 11 beta program allows you try out Android 11 features and the company’s brand new One UI 3.0 interface. You’ll also be able to help Samsung squash bugs and performance issues before it releases the official firmware. The company also says beta testers will be able to provide suggestions about the new UX.

Samsung hasn’t confirmed all of the pertinent information yet, but we can give you a rough outline based on official info, traditions, and our own expectations.

In this guide we’ll take you through everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Android 11/One UI 3 beta. Our walkthrough includes information about the beta’s release date, regions, the signup, and more.

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Samsung Android 11 Pre-Beta

This year, Samsung’s launched a pre-beta phase for developers. The company says this phase will “help ensure application store applications are compatible with the beta software before the public beta period.”

This isn’t an open beta that’s available to all users. Instead, Samsung says it’s limited to partner developers that want to perform compatibility testing with specific service providers and device models.

How to Signup for the Android 11 Pre-Beta

In order to participate in the pre-beta process, you’ll need to apply to become a Samsung partner developer.

If you’re interested in becoming a partner developer, you can submit an application on Samsung’s beta site. Scroll down to the bottom and click on “Apply for Partnership” and follow the instructions.

Samsung says it will get back to applicants within 5 business days after applying.

If your application is approved, you’ll be able to learn about the installation through the “ONE UI BETA FOR PARTNER” tab on the company’s beta page.

Samsung Android 11 Pre-Beta Devices

Samsung’s Android 11 pre-beta phase is limited to specific Galaxy devices.

As of right now, the company is focused on the Galaxy S20 series which includes the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and the Galaxy S20 Ultra LTE/5G.

It’s unclear if other devices will join the Galaxy S20 series in the pre-beta process, but at this point, you shouldn’t hold your breath.

Samsung Android 11 Pre-Beta Regions & Carriers

The pre-beta is limited to two regions.

Developer partners in South Korea and the United States can take part in the pre-beta phase. And in order to join, you’ll need to own an unlocked Galaxy S20 model or a model tied to a specific carrier.

In the United States, you’ll need a Galaxy S20 model attached to Sprint or T-Mobile. In South Korea, you’ll need a device that works with KT, LGU+, or SKT.

Samsung Android 11 Public Beta

Samsung’s started with a pre-beta phase, but it will open up the Android 11 beta to the public. If you can’t participate in the pre-beta process, you’ll be able to take part in the public beta whenever it becomes available.

The company hasn’t said how long the pre-beta process will last, but it looks like the Android 11/One UI 3 beta will open up to the general public in the near future.

An update for the company’s Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app includes support for Android 11 and that means we could see a public release soon.

The company has also confirmed an imminent launch in South Korea. It hasn’t supplied Galaxy S20 users with a specific date, but keep an eye out as we push into October.

Like the pre-beta, the public beta will be limited in scope. The public beta will be available to users in China, Germany, India, Poland, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

While the company will start with the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra, there’s a good chance the public beta expands to other devices.

It probably won’t open up to the company’s entire portfolio of devices, bu you can expect the Galaxy Note 20 to take part at some point. We also expect a release for Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 models down the road.

For more about Android 11, head on over to our walkthrough.

7 Reasons to Wait for the Galaxy S21 & 5 Reasons Not To

Wait Because the Galaxy S21 Launch is Close

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A report from SamMobile claims the Galaxy S21 series will launch in early January with a release in late January or February.

These reports have been backed by a different report out of Korea. This one claims that Samsung will launch the Galaxy S21 series in January with a release coming later in the month.

Leaker Jon Prosser, who has leaked accurate information about unreleased products in the past, says the Galaxy S21 is slated to launch on January 14th.

Prosser also says pre-orders will start on January 14th followed by a release a few weeks later on January 29th.

A report from Reuters throws its weight behind the early release. The publication says Samsung "may launch its flagship Galaxy S smartphones more than a month earlier than expected in a bid to grab market share from Huawei and fend off competition from Apple."

Samsung has all but confirmed an early launch in a recent press release and in comments made to Korean outlet ZDNet.

An unnamed Samsung official says because "the market environment is changing rapidly, it is true that it is not possible to guarantee whether the usual unpacking schedule will continue as it is."

Samsung India has also confirmed the Galaxy S21 launch for January 14th. And in a bit of surprise, the company says it's now taking pre-orders for the unannounced devices.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra has also been granted regulatory approvals which is a necessary step ahead of a public release.

Everything is pointing to an arrival in January. So if you're interested in a new Galaxy S device, you might want to put your credit card away and wait.

One additional note: It looks like the Galaxy S21 series will debut by itself. Korean media believes Samsung's new flagship foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 2, will arrive later in Q1.

This is notable because the original Galaxy Z Flip debuted alongside the Galaxy S20 series.

So if you're interested in a new Galaxy flagship, and you want to compare the Galaxy S21 to Samsung's new foldable, you might have to wait even longer.