Samsung Announces End of Software Support for Multiple Galaxy Models in 2026
Samsung has officially published an updated list of its Galaxy smartphones that will cease receiving Android operating system upgrades and security updates in the year 2026. The company clarified that while affected devices will continue to function for basic operations, they will no longer benefit from new security patches once official support concludes.
Comprehensive List of Affected Samsung Smartphones
The termination of software updates impacts a wide range of Samsung devices, spanning from older flagship models to recent budget entries. According to Samsung's established update policy, devices typically receive major Android upgrades and regular security updates for a predetermined period based on their release category before being removed from the active support roster.
Older Models General List:
- Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra
- Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra
- Galaxy A52, A03, A22
- Galaxy F22, F42
- Galaxy M32, M42
- Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3
Phones That Already Stopped Updates in 2026:
- Flagship & Premium: Galaxy S22 Ultra, S22+, S22 (February 2026); Galaxy S21 FE 5G (January 2026)
- Mid-range: Galaxy A53 5G, A33 5G (April 2026)
- Budget / Entry-level: Galaxy A03 (February 2026); A03 Core (January 2026); M14 (March 2026)
Phones That Will Stop Updates Later in 2026:
- Foldables: Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4, Z Fold3 5G (August 2026)
- Enterprise / Rugged: Galaxy XCover6 Pro (July 2026)
- Mid-range: Galaxy A73 5G (April 2026)
- Budget / Entry-level: Galaxy A06 (August 2026); F14, F05, M05 (September 2026); A13, M13 (July 2026)
Phones That Stopped Updates Before 2026 (for context):
- Galaxy A05, A05s, M44 5G (October 2025)
- Galaxy A14 (May 2025)
Implications of Ending Software Support
Samsung has explained that devices do not immediately become inoperable when software support ends. Core functionalities including making phone calls, sending text messages, and running installed applications will continue to operate normally. However, the discontinuation of security updates means that newly discovered vulnerabilities and potential exploits will no longer be patched, which could incrementally increase security risks for users over time.
This strategic move by Samsung aligns with industry practices where technology companies phase out support for older hardware to allocate resources toward newer models and innovations. It is noteworthy that Apple has similarly released lists classifying certain iPhone models as vintage or obsolete, marking the conclusion of hardware service support for those devices.
The publication of this list provides Samsung users with clear transparency regarding the software lifecycle of their devices, enabling them to make informed decisions about potential upgrades or continued usage with awareness of the evolving security landscape.
