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In the Samsung Galaxy S26 update records reviewed through September 2026, the newest security patch level shown is August 5, 2026. Some firmware carrying that patch arrived in September. The release date, build number and patch level differ by model and market, so check the record for your exact device rather than treating this as one universal rollout timeline.
Galaxy S26 security update history by model
The dates below are Samsung’s listed firmware release dates; the security patch level is a separate date. Each entry shown runs Android 16. Samsung notes that changes can vary by device model, country and service provider. Samsung’s SM-S942B update record and SM-S942U1 update record are the sources for the tables.
Galaxy S26 SM-S942B
| Release date | Build | Security patch level | Samsung’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-31 | S942BXXS4AZHA | 2026-08-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-07-15 | S942BXXS4AZG5 | 2026-07-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-06-15 | S942BXXS3AZF1 | 2026-06-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-05-20 | S942BXXS2AZE2 | 2026-05-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-05-06 | S942BXXU2AZDE | 2026-04-05 | Stability and security improvements |
| 2026-04-13 | S942BXXS2AZCO | 2026-04-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-03-25 | S942BXXU1AZCF | 2026-02-05 | Stability and security improvements |
| 2026-03-18 | S942BXXS1AZC7 | 2026-02-05 | Security improvement |
Galaxy S26 SM-S942U1
| Release date | Build | Security patch level | Samsung’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-03 | S942U1UES4AZH5 | 2026-08-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-07-15 | S942U1UES4AZG3 | 2026-07-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-06-16 | S942U1UES3AZF1 | 2026-06-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-05-28 | S942U1UES2AZE1 | 2026-05-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-05-11 | S942U1UEU2AZDE | 2026-04-05 | Stability and reliability improvement |
| 2026-04-08 | S942U1UES2AZCM | 2026-04-05 | Security improvement |
| 2026-03-30 | S942U1UEU1AZCF | 2026-02-05 | Stability and reliability improvement |
| 2026-03-12 | S942U1UES1AZC7 | 2026-02-05 | Security improvement |
Galaxy S26 SM-S942Q
Samsung’s SM-S942Q update record lists a September 15, 2026 release, build S942QOPS1AZH9, with Android 16 and the August 5, 2026 security patch level. Earlier entries include a July 13 release with the June 5 patch level and May releases with the April 5 patch level. This is another example of firmware arriving after the date named in its patch level.
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How to read the dates and build numbers
- Release date: when Samsung lists that firmware for the specific model record. It is not necessarily the date every owner in every market received it.
- Build: the firmware identifier. Compare this as well as the model when checking whether two update records match.
- Security patch level: the patch date Samsung identifies for the software. It can be earlier than the firmware release date, as the September entries above show.
For a useful comparison, match the exact model or SKU and the country or carrier context, then compare build and patch level as well as release date. A later firmware release date does not automatically mean a newer patch level.
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Why rollout dates and patch histories differ
Samsung says update details may vary by model, country and network operator. Its firmware security update scope also says release timing varies by model and region, with monthly, quarterly and biannual firmware security update cadences. These records therefore document the listed variants, not every Galaxy S26 SKU or carrier rollout.
Samsung’s Security Maintenance Release bulletins describe the broader monthly release program, including Google and Samsung patches. Samsung notes that some chipset-vendor patches may not be included in that month’s package and may arrive later. A bulletin alone does not establish that a particular S26 variant has received a patch; the device-specific update record is needed for that.
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What is—and is not—confirmed for October 2026
Samsung’s October 2026 security bulletin was available by the October 7, 2026 information cutoff, but the cited Galaxy S26 device records do not establish an October patch build across variants and regions. For example, the reviewed SM-S942U1 record ends with a September 3 firmware release carrying the August 5 patch level. Do not infer device receipt of an October patch from the existence of the monthly bulletin.
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