Samsung adds a number of new models to its portfolio every year. Conversely, this also means that older devices will eventually be removed from the update cycle and will no longer receive the latest patches. Here we summarize which Galaxy models will still be equipped with updates and which will soon be phased out.
Samsung has now established a rough schedule for security updates for its smartphones: The security updates from Google, which not only protect against malware and the like but also improve device balance, are still being applied to the Galaxy devices at least three years after their release.
Samsung itself says that "no general statement can be made" about how long devices will be supplied with updates. However, this rhythm has become established at the manufacturer, especially in recent years. In view of the regular supply of new devices, which of course also have more and more powerful hardware under the hood, this handling by the manufacturer is quite understandable.
Security updates in particular are a must for smartphone users: If they are not carried out regularly, the chances of becoming a victim of hacker attacks, data theft or malware increase.
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Updates for Galaxy smartphones: Samsung distinguishes between three device categories
Newer top devices from Samsung like the Galaxy S21+ are still being updated every month.
CHIP/Belkis Köz
Owners of an older Samsung smartphone usually have a problem after three years – either they do without the important security patches or they start looking for a new cell phone that is still regularly supplied with updates.
When it comes to security updates, Samsung distinguishes between three device categories:
Newly released mid-range models and the flagship devices in the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series, such as the Galaxy S22, Note 20 or the Galaxy Z Fold3, receive a security update every month. Somewhat older devices, including the Galaxy, for example S9 (Plus) or the A71 and M22 models still get the updates every three months. Devices that are approaching the end of support after three years (for example the Galaxy A9 and the Galaxy M30 recently) get the updates even less frequently. The categories are also regularly updated by Samsung – which also means that the mobile phones in the last category will sooner or later fall completely out of update support.
As a service, Samsung provides users with a document listing the supported smartphones. Below we have summarized the Samsung smartphones that are still supported.
Important: If your device is no longer listed, buying a new smartphone is worth considering – if you really want to be on the safe side. Our mobile phone leaderboard provides support for this, which helps you to find the ideal smartphone with extensive filter functions.
Alternatively, customers can also use Samsung's "Trade-In" offer: If you have an old model and want to buy a new one, you can trade in the former. The purchase value of the old device is then deducted directly from the purchase price at the checkout in the Samsung online shop. You can find more information at this address.
If you only need a smartphone for a limited period of time or want to test a new device before you buy it, you can now use Samsung's mobile phone rental service. We have summarized all important details for you under this link.
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These Galaxy smartphones still receive security updates
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has not received any updates since October.
1. Samsung smartphones with monthly security updates
Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Fold 5G, Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Z Flip3 5GGalaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10 LiteGalaxy S20 , Galaxy S20 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20+ 5G, Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy S20 FE 5G, Galaxy S21 5G, Galaxy S21+ 5G, Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S21 FE 5GGalaxy Note10, Galaxy Note10 5G, Galaxy Note10+, Galaxy Note10+ 5G, Galaxy Note10 Lite, Galaxy Note20, Galaxy Note20 5G, Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5GEnterprise Models: Galaxy A50, Galaxy A52, Galaxy A52 5G, Galaxy A52s 5G, Galaxy XCover4s, Galaxy Xcover FieldPro, Galaxy Xcover Pro, Galaxy Xcover5
2. Samsung smartphones with quarterly security updates
Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+Galaxy Note9Galaxy A40Galaxy A01 Core, Galaxy A11, Galaxy A21, Galaxy A21s, Galaxy A31, Galaxy A41, Galaxy A51 5G, Galaxy A71, Galaxy A71 5GGalaxy A02, Galaxy A02s, Galaxy A12, Galaxy A22, Galaxy A22 5G, Galaxy A22e 5G, Galaxy A32, Galaxy A32 5G, Galaxy A42 5G, Galaxy A72, Galaxy A82 5GGalaxy A03, Galaxy A03s, Galaxy A03 core, Galaxy A13 5GGalaxy M01, Galaxy M11, Galaxy M21, Galaxy M21 2021, Galaxy M31, Galaxy M31s, Galaxy M51, Galaxy M12, Galaxy M22, Galaxy M32, Galaxy M42 5G, Galaxy M52 5G, Galaxy M62Galaxy F12, Galaxy F22, Galaxy F42 5G, Galaxy F52 5G, Galaxy F62Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020), Galaxy Tab A7 , Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, Galaxy Tab A8, Galaxy Tab Active Pro, Galaxy Tab Active3Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Galaxy Tab S7, Galaxy Tab S7+, Galaxy Tab S7 FEW21 5G
3. Samsung smartphones with isolated security updates
Galaxy S8 LiteGalaxy A6, Galaxy A6+, Galaxy A7 (2018), Galaxy A8 Star, Galaxy A8s, Galaxy A9 (2018)Galaxy A10, Galaxy A10e, Galaxy A10s, Galaxy A20e, Galaxy A20, Galaxy A30, Galaxy A60, Galaxy A70, Galaxy A80, Galaxy A90 5GGalaxy A20s, Galaxy A30s, Galaxy A50s, Galaxy A70s, Galaxy A01, Galaxy A51Galaxy J4, Galaxy J6, Galaxy J6+, Galaxy J7 Duo, Galaxy J8Galaxy M10, Galaxy M10s, Galaxy M20, Galaxy M30, Galaxy M30s, Galaxy M40Galaxy Tab A 10.5 (2018), Galaxy Tab A 8 (2019), Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019), Galaxy Tab A with S penGalaxy Tab S4, Galaxy Tab S5e, Galaxy Tab S6, Galaxy Tab S6 5GW20 5G
If you have activated automatic updates on your Samsung cell phone, you will be automatically informed by your system when a new update is available for your cell phone. If you prefer to keep full control over the updates, you can of course do this manually via the device settings. However, you also run the risk of missing out on important security improvements – which is why it is worth checking out regularly for any updates when setting up manually.
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The Samsung Galaxy S8 example shows that the 3-year rule is not set in stone
The example of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy A7 makes it easy to understand that Samsung's system with the 3-year rhythm described above follows a rough plan, but this is not set in stone: Both models are in 2017 on the The Galaxy S8 still received monthly updates (then quarterly) until April 2020, around 3 years later, while the Galaxy A7 was already listed in the last category. However, both models are no longer being updated either.
The difference here is in the detail: While the Galaxy S series represents the company's high-end models, the A series is in the middle class, which is of course also reflected in the sales price. This is probably one of the reasons why the S models (as well as the Note series) are supplied with regular updates for longer.
The Galaxy S7 (release date 2016) was also listed in the second category (quarterly updates) until about a year ago, although according to the actual rhythm, it shouldn't have received any updates at all. With the Galaxy S6, which was released in 2015, support was discontinued after almost exactly three years (2018). It is easy to imagine that Samsung will ultimately make the procedure dependent on the number of active users.
By the way: Samsung has announced that its high-end smartphones, such as the Galaxy Note 20 series, will be granted at least three major Android updates in the future – previously it was limited to two versions. You'll find more about it here.
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