last year – For many shoppers, a phone deal feels like relief—until months later, when the manufacturer stops security updates. MISRYOUM breaks down what “end of software support” really means and lists specific Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Apple models whose update win
Sale season turns people into bargain hunters. You spot a phone with decent specs that fits your budget, buy it with the confidence that the price tag feels like a win. Then time passes—and you realize the “good deal” comes with a hard deadline.
For a growing list of smartphones, the manufacturer is already approaching the last year of software support. That usually means two things that matter more than most buyers expect: updates stop. and the protections that patch newly discovered security vulnerabilities stop with them. Your phone may still turn on. It just won’t be defended the way it was when it was still in support.
That’s the uncomfortable tradeoff many people don’t see until it’s too late. When support ends, manufacturers stop pushing security patches and OS upgrades. After that point, vulnerabilities discovered from that day forward may no longer be fixed—leaving sensitive data at greater risk.
This is also where the “annoying but necessary” part of smartphone life becomes real. Security update notifications can be persistent. arriving at the worst possible moment—when the battery is too low or you can’t leave your phone alone for a few minutes. But when you stop seeing those alerts, it’s not a minor inconvenience. It means the device is no longer receiving patches for newly discovered security vulnerabilities.
End-of-life phones also freeze in time in other ways. New Android and iOS features won’t arrive, apps often stop supporting older OS versions, and performance can degrade as software is optimized for newer hardware and software.
Samsung’s support window depends on the device tier, with Galaxy devices getting up to seven years for flagship models. Mid-range models max out at five or six years, and budget phones get up to four years of support. The following Samsung models are set to reach end of life before the end of 2027:
Samsung Galaxy A14, launched May 2023 — Android updates ended May 2025, security updates end May 2027. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, launched March 2023 — Android updates end March 2027, security updates end May 2027. Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, launched February 2023 — Android updates end February 2027, security updates end February 2028. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4, launched August 2022 — Android updates end August 2026, security updates end August 2027. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, launched April 2022 — Android updates ended April 2026, security updates end April 2027. Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra, launched February 2022 — Android updates ended February 2026, security updates end February 2027. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launched January 2022 — Android updates ended January 2026, security updates end January 2027. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3, launched August 2021 — Android updates ended August 2025, security updates end August 2026.
Google’s approach has improved over time. On the company’s official Pixel support page. Pixel 8 and later devices receive 7 years of OS and security updates from the date they first became available. Older devices get 5 years of OS and security updates. Depending on release dates, several models are entering their final years of support before the end of 2027:.
Google Pixel 7 Pro, launched October 2022 — reaches end of life in October 2027. Google Pixel 7, launched October 2022 — reaches end of life in October 2027. Google Pixel 6a, launched July 2022 — reaches end of life in July 2027. Google Pixel 6 Pro, launched October 2021 — reaches end of life in October 2026. Google Pixel 6, launched October 2021 — reaches end of life in October 2026.
The Google Pixel 2, 3, 4, and 5 lineups are already no longer receiving updates.
Motorola’s commitments have historically been more limited. Traditionally, most Motorola devices received security updates for 2 or 3 years, with most models only receiving one major Android OS upgrade. Earlier this year. after the European Union demanded at least 5 years of security updates. Motorola improved its policy for newer devices. However, Motorola won’t promise to deploy Android updates on top of the security patches. The following Motorola models are set to reach end of life before the end of 2027:.
Moto G, launched December 2024 — reaches end of life in December 2027. Moto G Stylus 5G, launched May 2024 — reaches end of life in May 2027. Motorola Edge 2024, launched May 2024 — reaches end of life in May 2027. Moto G Power 5G, launched May 2024 — reaches end of life in March 2027. Moto G 5G, launched March 2024 — reaches end of life in March 2027. Moto G Play, launched January 2024 — reaches end of life in January 2027. Motorola Razr, launched September 2023 — reaches end of life in September 2027. Motorola Razr+, launched June 2023 — reaches end of life in June 2027. Motorola Edge+, launched May 2023 — reaches end of life in May 2027.
Apple doesn’t publish end-of-life dates the way Android makers do, but it uses a classification system. Vintage products are those Apple has stopped distributing for sale more than 5 years ago, but less than 7 years ago. Obsolete products are those Apple has stopped distributing for sale more than 7 years ago.
iPhones typically receive iOS updates for 5-7 years after launch. The guidance here is tied to the release date, not when someone bought the phone. iOS 27 is coming this fall and it can run on phones as old as iPhone 11. which was released in September of 2019. Generally, it will be compatible with all phones that support iOS 26. Apple Intelligence features, however, are only supported on the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and later.
On that basis, iPhone SE from 2020, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max will likely get their final update with iOS 27. The iPhone 12 and 13 lineups probably have a couple more years of updates. Still. Apple’s growing focus on Apple Intelligence could lead the company to drop support on older models sooner due to performance and RAM demands.
Even when older iPhones stop getting new OS updates, Apple still sends security patches. In May 2026, Apple rolled out security-focused updates for iOS 15 through iOS 18, extending support to several iPhone models. The update went out to the iPhone 6s. first released in September 2015. along with the first-generation iPhone SE. all iPhone 7 models. all iPhone 8 models. the iPhone X. all XS models. and the iPhone XR.
There’s a plain human thread running through all of these timelines. Many people keep using unsupported phones long after end of life because upgrading is expensive or because the device still “works just fine.” The catch is that unsupported phones aren’t just inconvenient—they become a liability. After all, security research and cybercriminals are both constantly looking for new vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems. When support ends, patches don’t follow.
If your phone is nearing end of support, the practical steps are familiar, but they matter more when the clock is running:
Keep updating your apps for as long as possible.
Avoid connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
Don’t install apps from outside the official app store, and generally be selective even when picking them from there.
Be extra cautious about links you get in emails or messages.
Ultimately, the best advice remains the hardest one: upgrade to a newer model as soon as the budget allows.
A smartphone is one of the most personal devices a person owns. It holds banking, health data, work emails, and personal conversations. That’s why knowing where your device stands isn’t a tech chore—it’s a security decision. The only thing worse than the persistent “update available” notification is realizing it’ll never show up again.
software support smartphone security end of life phones Samsung update policy Google Pixel support Motorola security updates Apple iOS 27 compatibility cybersecurity
So basically your phone turns into a target after a year? Love that.
I didn’t realize “end of support” meant no security stuff too. Thought it was just like… speed updates or something. Now I’m confused because my last iPhone still works fine, so what am I missing?
Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola all do this, yeah. But like, if the phone still gets app updates from the App Store/Play Store doesn’t that cover it? The article is kinda saying the patches stop but I feel like apps handle the security anyway? Also “last year” is not super clear, last year from when, the purchase date or release date?
People keep buying whatever is “on sale” and then acting surprised when it stops getting updates. I mean, I guess it’s true tho—my cousin’s old phone was fine until it wasn’t, then suddenly everything felt sketchy. They should show the exact models, because companies always change the policy and everyone thinks they’re buying lifetime protection. The title says buy smart but I feel like there’s no smart when they just cut you off.