The latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS has been rolled out to Samsung's 2015 flagship duo, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. The South Korean device maker partnered with major U.S. carriers such as Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon to distribute the software.
These Android 5.1.1 updates come with a fix for the dangerous StageFright bug, an Android vulnerability that allows cyber attackers to steal sensitive information from victims' devices. The release of the OS is also seen as a move to prepare the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge for the rumored arrival of the Android 6.0 Marshmallow in October.
The latest telecom company to bring Android 5.1.1 to the abovementioned Samsung handset is Verizon. According to the carrier's official change log, the update also carries over new features such as an advanced version of Caller Name ID, option to disable parallax "Wallpaper motion effect," adjustable camera exposure, and Live Wallpaper options for the S6 and S6 Edge's lock screen. All of these come alongside a patch that will protect the devices from the StageFright exploit.
Back in June, T-Mobile was the first major telecom company to send out an Android 5.1.1 update. The magenta carrier has updated the baseband version of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge to G920TUVU2COF8 and G925TUVU1AOF8, respectively. The file size of the firmware came at a hefty 570MB and brought along support for RAW photography and lower ISO conditions.
Sprint released its own Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update back in July and subsequently sent out a new version last week. The update brings the Sprint Galaxy S6's build number to G920PVPU2BOH1 and G925PVPU2BOH1 for the S6 Edge.
Aside from the StageFright patch and other bug fixes, the new Sprint update also carries support for Samsung Pay, Live broadcasting via YouTube, and High Quality Audio for compatible Samsung headsets.
Meanwhile, AT&T is the only major U.S. carrier that have yet to disseminate an Android 5.1.1 upgrade. However, the company had already rolled out a number of important updates for both Samsung models in May and July.
Previous reports suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, which are released in April, will indeed receive the upcoming Android 6.0 Marshmallow once its consumer version becomes available. Other Samsung devices reported to get the OS include the new Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ handsets. Older models such as the Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 4 Duos, Galaxy Note Edge, Galaxy Alpha, and Galaxy Tab A are also included in the Marshmallow waiting list.
