Samsung does the unthinkable with Android 10 update for US unlocked Galaxy Note 9

Samsung does the unthinkable with Android 10 update for US unlocked Galaxy Note 9
Well, this is unusual. The official US unlocked variant of the Galaxy Note 9 has reportedly started receiving its stable Android 10 update a few weeks after the same rollout got underway in Europe

That's actually not the most surprising part of the story, although compared to some of Samsung's Android Pie deliveries last year, the turnaround is definitely pretty impressive. What never happens, however, and is in fact happening here is a major OS promotion making its way over-the-air to a US unlocked Galaxy flagship before carriers can take care of the same device.

Technically, the Galaxy Note 9 has scored Android 10 goodies with One UI 2.0 tweaks on top on a few US carriers already, but we're not talking about any of the nation's "big four" industry players. Instead, US Cellular, Xfinity Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, and Comcast apparently managed to beat Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile to the punch, and now the same can be said about unlocked models purchased directly from Samsung, as well as authorized retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and B&H Photo Video.

These are units carrying the SM-N960U label, mind you, and they're unsurprisingly receiving massive updates tipping the scales at close to 2GB, including all the standard (Samsung-modified) Android 10 good stuff, as well as January security patches. 


Let's just hope this change of pace for the Galaxy Note 9 doesn't mean mobile network operators have bumped into any serious glitches while "optimizing" their Android 10 updates. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are also yet to make the jump as far as both US unlocked and major carrier-locked models are concerned, but if everything goes according to Samsung's latest plans, all that should change very soon.

Related phones

Galaxy Note 9
  • Display 6.4" 1440 x 2960 pixels
  • Camera 12 MP / 8 MP front
  • Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, Octa-core, 2800 MHz
  • Storage 128GB + microSDXC
  • Battery 4000 mAh(29h 3G talk time)

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11 Comments

1. gd761

Posts: 217; Member since: Sep 18, 2012

I had Upgraded from OREO to Pie and it had Disabled VoLTE and Slingbox as well as a few other things. Because of that, I had Downgraded from Pie back to OREO. I just wonder if I Upgrade My Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 9 this time to Android 10 if I will have the Same Problems. If I do have Problems, back to OREO IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!

4. BryWeasley

Posts: 2; Member since: 7 hours ago

I lost VoLTE (I forgot I even had it) & I'm not sure what else upgrading to Pie. I've heard other Note 9 users say the Android 10 upgrade brought VoLTE back. So it may be worth a shot. I'm on a Verizon Note 9 & still impatiently waiting for the update.
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11. bajevah913

Posts: 22; Member since: 3 hours ago

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3. BryWeasley

Posts: 2; Member since: 7 hours ago

This is bull! I don't pay thru the nose to be one of the last to get the update. Thanks, Verizon!

7. stalonage

Posts: 1; Member since: May 09, 2014

Maybe not blame and blame yourself for not buying a carrier locked/branded phone

5. Neckbeard

Posts: 2; Member since: 6 hours ago

Meanwhile I'm sitting here with my Essential phone on Android 10 since it dropped early last year. *Shrug*

9. neotaoisttechnopagan

Posts: 1; Member since: 4 hours ago

While contributing nothing to this conversation I might add. *shrug* We have the device we chose, as do you. Don't bring your unnecessary trolling to the forum because you feel the need to be holier than thou.

10. Neckbeard

Posts: 2; Member since: 6 hours ago

Not trying to make anyone feel bad, I'm just saying that Android 10 has been out for a "lesser" phone. Why aren't phone manufacturers trying to consider longevity first and utility last? *Shrug again"

12. Ollie808

Posts: 1; Member since: 52 min ago

Same here. Great phone and always up-to-date.

6. ReverendOlaf

Posts: 1; Member since: 5 hours ago

Unlocked US s9+ user (not in beta) downloading Android 10 update right now.

8. Nintendroid

Posts: 1; Member since: 5 hours ago

Same here, let's go!
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