Galaxy S23 owners claim Samsung is practicing planned obsolescence by withholding AirDrop compatibility

At a glance:

• Galaxy S23 users are reporting the absence of AirDrop-style file sharing in the new One UI 8.5 update.
• Users allege the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset possesses the hardware capabilities required for the protocol.
• The omission has led to accusations of planned obsolescence against Samsung.

The One UI 8.5 rollout and the missing link

Samsung has officially begun rolling out the stable One UI 8.5 update to several of its older flagship devices, including the Galaxy S23 series. This major software iteration brings a suite of quality-of-life improvements designed to modernize the user experience. Notable additions include a more customizable Quick Settings Menu, enhanced lock screen customization options, and more visually cohesive system menus. Furthermore, the update introduces new Galaxy AI features intended to bolster the device's intelligence.

However, the update has become a lightning rod for controversy due to a specific omission. While Samsung has enabled the ability to share files with Apple devices—a feature similar to AirDrop that Google first introduced on Pixel phones last year—it has notably excluded the Galaxy S23 series from this functionality. This has left a significant portion of Samsung's premium user base unable to utilize a seamless cross-platform sharing method that their newer counterparts enjoy.

Accusations of planned obsolescence

The backlash from the community has been swift and vocal. On platforms such as Reddit, Galaxy S23 owners have expressed deep frustration, with some users, including Redditor Big-Salary9046, alleging that Samsung is engaging in "planned obsolescence." This term refers to the controversial industry practice where manufacturers intentionally limit the features or performance of older hardware to encourage consumers to upgrade to newer models more frequently.

Critics argue that the hardware limitations cited by Samsung do not align with the technical reality of the device. The Galaxy S23 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which users claim is more than capable of handling the necessary protocols. This perceived gap between hardware potential and software availability has fueled the narrative that Samsung is choosing to withhold features to drive sales of the latest Galaxy models.

The technical debate over AWDL and Wi-Fi

At the heart of the technical dispute is Apple Wireless Direct Link (AWDL), the underlying protocol that powers AirDrop. AWDL requires the Wi-Fi radio on both the sending and receiving devices to slice data transfers into small packets and switch Wi-Fi channels rapidly—often hundreds or thousands of times per second—to maintain a peer-to-peer connection without dropping the internet connection.

Technical enthusiasts argue that the Galaxy S23's hardware is perfectly suited for this task. Specifically, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset supports Qualcomm’s FastConnect 7800 system, which is capable of high-speed Wi-Fi 7 transfers. Proponents of this view suggest that if the hardware can manage the complexities of Wi-Fi 7, there is no logical technical bottleneck preventing it from interfacing with AWDL. While these claims remain unverified by independent third parties, they highlight a growing skepticism regarding how manufacturers define "hardware compatibility."

Why Samsung might be hesitating

While the user outcry is significant, industry analysts suggest there are practical, albeit frustrating, reasons for Samsung's decision. Implementing cross-platform compatibility is not a simple toggle; it requires intense collaboration between Google and various silicon vendors. Each chipset must be individually tuned, tested, and optimized to ensure that the rapid channel switching required by protocols like AWDL does not cause system instability or excessive battery drain.

It is highly probable that Samsung and Google have decided to prioritize their development resources on the newest hardware to ensure a polished experience. Bringing this specific functionality to older flagships like the S23 would require a dedicated engineering effort that may not yield a high enough return on investment for the company. For now, the Galaxy S23 remains officially excluded from the list of devices receiving the new cross-platform sharing capabilities.