News
Samsung Galaxy S21 Receives August 2024 Security Patch Update
Samsung has started rolling out the August 2024 security update for the Galaxy S21 series. The update is currently available in Vietnam. The update’s PDA version number ends with GXGC. The update will likely be expanded to more markets.
Galaxy owners are eagerly waiting for Android 15, but Samsung keeps bringing the latest security patch. The August 2024 security patch focuses on improving system security and privacy for Galaxy S21 series users.
This update can be identified by its PDA version numbers G998BXXUCGXGC for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, G996BXXUCGXGC for the Galaxy S21 Plus, and G991BXXUCGXGC for the Galaxy S21.
This Security Maintenance Release also includes patches from Samsung Semiconductor, addressing the following CVE item: [High: CVE-2024-3196].
How to update:
To install the latest security update go to Settings > Software update > Download and install.
While Galaxy S21 users are eager to receive Android 15, Samsung is expected to launch the Android 15-based One UI 7 Beta later this month. The delay in Google’s Android 15 release has pushed back Samsung’s Beta Program but the Galaxy S21 series would get access to the new OS later this year only.
The Galaxy S21 series was originally launched in 2021. The handsets came pre-installed with the Android 11. This year, the series will receive its final major upgrade along with another feature drop in early 2025.
For those considering an upgrade, 2025 might be the perfect time. Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumored to feature a design shift back to rounded corners after experimenting with a boxy design in the Galaxy S22 Ultra, S23 Ultra, and S24 Ultra.
Nothing has rolled out a new update for its Essential Space app (version 1.0.13), bringing some useful features and improvements for users.
One of the biggest highlights is the transcription feature, now available on the Nothing Phone (3). With this, users can get a complete transcription of their Flip to Record content, making it easier to keep track of recordings in written form.
The update also adds a Select All option within individual modules, giving users better control and convenience while managing their content.
Apart from new features, the update also focuses on improving the overall experience. It includes several bug fixes and stability enhancements to make the app run smoother and more reliable.
Nothing continues to improve Essential Space with regular updates, ensuring users get more value and a seamless experience on their devices.
Nothing has rolled out a new software update for the Nothing Phone (2a). The update is called Nothing OS 3.2 (September Update) and is now available to users. It comes with a download size of 158 MB and also includes the latest September 1, 2025 Android security patch.
One of the most notable changes in this update is the introduction of the Nothing Gallery app as the default photo viewer in the camera app. Users now get the option to choose between Nothing Gallery and Google Photos, but the company recommends using its own gallery for faster previews and smoother performance. This move highlights Nothing’s efforts to strengthen its in-house ecosystem.
The update also adds new features to widgets. Along with the Photo widget, users can now share the Pedometer widget (step counter) and the Screen Time widget with others. The update further enhances interaction by introducing a set of new nine stickers that can be used to react when sharing widgets, giving users more expressive options.
In terms of the camera, Nothing claims to have improved stability and performance. The camera app version has been upgraded, and users may notice slight differences in colors and sharpness, particularly in ultra-wide shots. These refinements are aimed at delivering a more reliable photography experience on the Phone (2a).
The update also addresses several system issues and optimizations. Stability for the pop-up view feature has been improved, and a bug that prevented PDF files from opening in cloned apps like WhatsApp and Telegram has been fixed. The Voice over NR (VoNR) icon has been redesigned for better clarity in the status bar. In addition, battery usage has been optimized when connecting smartwatches, especially with the CMF Watch 2 Pro.
Other improvements include fixes for font display issues in apps such as Instagram and Reddit when using the Inter font, along with general system performance and stability enhancements.
Overall, the Nothing OS 3.2 September Update brings useful new features, smoother performance, and important fixes. For Nothing Phone (2a) users, installing this update is highly recommended to get the best experience on their device.
OnePlus
OnePlus 11 OxygenOS 15 August Update Rolls Out with Split View Enhancements, BeaconLink, and Privacy Improvements
OnePlus has rolled out a new OxygenOS 15 update for the OnePlus 11, bringing a range of improvements, useful features, and the latest August 2025 Android security patch. The update size is 890.86 MB and focuses on making the phone smoother, smarter, and more secure.
The update enhances the overall user experience with smoother animations for opening, repositioning, and resizing floating windows. Multitasking also gets better with improvements to Split View. It is no longer limited to fixed ratios, and users can now adjust the ratio freely. When using two apps in landscape, the divider can be dragged to resize them according to preference.
In terms of notifications, OnePlus has simplified how alerts appear in landscape mode. Instead of taking over the full screen, banner notifications now appear in a minimal format to reduce interruptions. Users can also swipe down on a notification to open the app in a floating window, or tap a button to do the same, rather than switching to full screen.
The Private Safe feature has been upgraded as well. Users can now share images and videos stored in Private Safe, customize album covers, and sort or view media files by time. There is also a new option to add files directly under the “Other files” category, giving more control over stored content. When recent tasks are stacked, users can now lock or unlock apps simply by swiping down on the app from the recent tasks screen.
A notable addition is BeaconLink, which allows users to send text, images, and voice messages to nearby people without an internet connection. This can be enabled in Settings > Mobile network > BeaconLink.
Lastly, the update integrates the August 2025 Android security patch, ensuring better protection for the device.
With this update, the OnePlus 11 becomes more seamless to use, offering improved multitasking, enhanced privacy options, and a more distraction-free experience.