Recent frustrations among Samsung phone owners have erupted following a software update that has rendered several older models inoperable, causing complaints to flood social media and tech forums. The update, released on Wednesday, has particularly affected devices such as the Galaxy S10 series, Galaxy Note 10 series, Galaxy M51, and Galaxy A90, with reports of issues emerging globally, including in South Korea, the United States, Singapore, Australia, Belgium, France, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Germany.
Users experiencing the problematic update have found their phones caught in a continuous boot loop, rendering them inaccessible. Attempts to reset the devices have proven futile, with the loop resuming upon rebooting. The only workaround currently available involves performing a factory reset, which poses significant risks to personal data. Many users have expressed distress over potential data loss, particularly valuable photos, emphasizing the importance of regularly backing up their devices.
Samsung Users Frustrated by Software Update Leaving Older Models Inoperable, Sparking Concerns Over Reliability
In South Korea, some users have had success resolving the issue without data loss by visiting local repair shops. In contrast, customers in the United States have encountered obstacles when seeking assistance from Samsung Care US, as reported by one user who communicated with the support team. Their suggestion for US representatives to connect with their counterparts in Korea for solutions was met with silence, leaving many feeling abandoned by the company during this crisis.
Samsung has announced that it has resolved the software flaw and released a new update, although this comes too late for users whose devices remain non-functional. For those affected, the only option involves performing a factory reset, restoring any available backups, and downloading the patched update. This predicament has prompted users to question the reliability of Samsung’s updates and the wisdom of investing in high-end smartphones that may be susceptible to such problems.
While Samsung’s public relations team has attempted to downplay the issue—asserting it affects a “limited number” of devices—many users remain unconvinced. A spokesperson attributed the boot loop problem to an update of the SmartThings app, which is pre-installed on most Galaxy devices and essential for controlling other Samsung appliances.
This clarification has raised doubts about the trustworthiness of future updates, leading some users to consider opting for more affordable mid-range devices instead of risking significant investments in flagship models that may also experience critical issues in the future.
