[17/DEC/21] BUL6. 2nd DECEMBER update

[ironass]

This thread is now for information purposes only.

Only 10 days after their December Android Security patch update, BUL1, Samsung began rolling out their 4th Android 12 release for the S21 series of international devices.

However, as it turns out, this release was short lived and only available for a handful of countries and has since been withdrawn so that Samsung, in conjunction with Google, can fix some Google Play Store issues. (N.B. I have never encountered any Google Play Store issues on either the Beta or Stable Android 12 releases)

Initially, as always, this was a staged rollout to the non-carrier branded, stock Samsung CSC codes first.

The Galaxy S21 international devices that received this update were

• S21 5G model SM-G991B
• S21+ 5G model SM-G996B
• S21 Ultra 5G model SM-G998B

This latest release replaces the previous G99*BXXS3BUL1 build on the international devices.

Changelog

• Device security improved
• ​Bugfixes

System information

The update = G99*BXXS3BUL6

Download = 213.20MB (TBC)

Build date =14 December 2021

Release date = 17 December 2021

Camera version = 12.0.00.83 (no change)

One UI version = 4.0

Android Security patch = 01 December 2021

This is the 23rd stable update for the Exynos model in 326 days. Average = 1 update every 14 days.

TOP TIP: Wipe the phone's cache partition and use the Galaxy App Booster after updating.

 

[ironass]

Updated bootloader on this release.

Smoother unlock animation and scrolling.

See, also...

Samsung halts Galaxy S21 One UI 4.0 update

 

[pags11]

Itonass, are thinking they will just roll everything back into a January update for those that didn't receive this one?

 

[ironass]

Itonass, are thinking they will just roll everything back into a January update for those that didn't receive this one?

I think that BUL6 is a bugfix update but that it did not successfully address the Google Play Store issue regarding not updating apps for some users and that this may be down to Google and so rather than roll-out a partial update in December with another one for Google Play they are pushing for a total bugfix and Android Security patch update. However, a lot depends on when the Play Store issue is resolved. Particularly, with the Christmas and New Year holidays upon us. At this stage, most of the international devices have the December, BUL1, Android Security patch and they might wait a few more days and issue a bugfix release on the January 2022 Android Security patch and skip December for those who have not received it to-date.