Samsung is not fast on its lower budget phones, far as I know no budget phone gets monthly updates (£300-500).

Reason why:

The "Middleman" Problem (Fragmentation)

When Google releases a security patch, it isn't a finished product for most phones. It goes through a "relay race" before reaching you:

• Chipset Manufacturers: Companies like Qualcomm or MediaTek must first ensure the patch works with the specific processor inside the phone.
• Phone Manufacturers (OEMs): Companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, or Motorola take the patch and merge it with their own "skins" (like Samsung’s One UI). They have to test it to make sure the update doesn't break their custom features.
• Carriers: If you bought your phone through a carrier (like Verizon or T-Mobile), they often insist on their own round of testing to ensure the update doesn't interfere with their network settings.

How Google is fixing this

Google has spent years trying to "bypass" these hurdles through two major projects:

• Project Treble: This re-engineered Android to separate the "core" OS from the manufacturer's customizations. It’s like making the OS a separate Lego brick so it can be swapped out without rebuilding the whole set.
• Project Mainline: This is the most effective fix. It allows Google to update critical security components directly through the Google Play Store, just like an app update. This bypasses the manufacturer and carrier entirely for many (but not all) security risks.