Samsung announced the schedule for ending software support for several popular smartphones launched between 2021 and 2022. The measure will directly affect owners of eight different models, including the acclaimed Galaxy S21 line, who will no longer receive new security updates and the Android operating system. Essa decision is part of the South Korean manufacturer’s product life cycle policy, which establishes a defined period for the maintenance of its devices.
The end of support means that devices will no longer receive security packages, which are crucial for protecting users against vulnerabilities and digital threats. Além from the S21 line, foldable models from the
The full list of devices that will be discontinued from support includes: Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Galaxy M13. The only notable exception in the S21 family is the Galaxy S21 FE model, which, because it was released later, will follow an extended update schedule.
Details on end of support for the S21 series
Launched in January 2021, the Galaxy S21 line was a milestone for the Samsung, introducing new standards of design and performance. The S21, S21+ and S21
After the operating system update cycle was completed, Samsung continued to provide quarterly security patches to fix bugs and optimize performance. However, according to the four-year support policy established for this generation, the distribution of these fixes will definitively end at the beginning of 2026, marking the end of the company’s official support for these devices.
Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 follow the same schedule
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable smartphones, which revolutionized the market in 2021, have a software life cycle similar to the Galaxy S21 line. Ambos devices were launched with
Currently, both the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 continue to receive quarterly security updates, ensuring the protection of user data. Contudo, projections indicate that support for these models will end in the second half of 2026, aligning with the company’s launch date and support policy.
In a different scenario, the Galaxy S21 FE, launched in 2022, benefits from extended support. The device has already received the update to One UI 8 and is guaranteed to receive security fixes until 2027, which significantly differentiates it from other members of the S21 family in terms of software longevity.
Models from the Galaxy A and M lines are also on the list
The end of support is not limited to high-end models. The mid-range smartphones Galaxy A23 and Galaxy A13, both launched in March 2022, are also approaching the end of their life cycle. Esses devices received One UI 6 as their last major update, leaving them out of the distribution of One UI 8, which puts them on the list of devices with support to end in 2026.
The 5G connectivity variants of these models still receive security patches every three months, a measure by Samsung to prolong protection against vulnerabilities. However, the expectation is that this frequency will be reduced in the coming months, signaling the approach of the complete end of software support for this line.
The Galaxy M13, launched in July 2022, follows a similar path. The device hit the market with Android 12 and its last system update was to Android 14 (One UI 6). Atualmente, M13 receives quarterly security patches, but the frequency is expected to decrease to bi-annual before full support ends, expected in 2026.
This gradual change in update frequency is a common strategy used by Samsung to indicate that a device’s life cycle is coming to an end. The reduction in the pace of distribution of security patches serves as a warning for users to start planning the transition to a newer, more secure device.
The difference between system updates and security patches
For consumers, it is critical to understand the distinction between the two main types of software updates provided by Samsung. The first type are major operating system updates, which bring new versions of Android and the company’s custom interface, the One UI. Essas updates typically occur annually and introduce new features, significant visual changes, and usability improvements. For example, the transition from Android 15 to Android 16 was accompanied by the release of One UI 7 to One UI 8, bringing a complete package of innovations.
The second type are security updates, also known as patches. Elas are distributed more frequently — monthly, quarterly or semi-annual, depending on the device — and their main objective is to correct vulnerabilities and security flaws discovered in the operating system. Esses packages are essential to protect the device against malware, data theft and other cyber threats. The end of support primarily means the end of the distribution of these patches, leaving the device more exposed to risks.
How the Samsung update policy works
Samsung’s software support policy has evolved considerably over the years, reflecting an effort to increase the longevity and value of its devices. Para the latest high-end models, such as the Galaxy S24 series and future releases, the company now promises seven years of updates to both the operating system and security, one of the longest support periods on the Android market. Essa change represents a major advance compared to previous generations. Para newer mid-range models, support is typically six years. In the case of previous lines, such as Galaxy S22 and S23, the policy was four major updates to Android and five years of security patches. The Galaxy S21 line, the focus of this news, fits into a previous policy, which guaranteed three major versions of the system and four years of security updates, demonstrating the progression and continuous improvement of the guarantees offered by the brand to its consumers.
What are the risks of using a device without a support?
Using a smartphone that no longer receives security updates carries significant risks. Sem the patches that correct newly discovered vulnerabilities, the device becomes an easy target for cyber attacks, such as malware, ransomware and spyware, which can steal personal information, banking details and passwords.
In addition to security risks, a lack of operating system updates can lead to compatibility issues. Over time, new apps or updated versions of existing apps may no longer work correctly on older versions of Android, limiting device functionality and user experience.
Recommendations for owners of affected models
For users of models that will end support, the main recommendation is to start planning to replace the device with a newer model that offers active software support. Enquanto the exchange does not occur, it is advisable to take extra care when browsing the internet, avoid downloading applications from unofficial sources and maintain a regular backup of important data to minimize possible losses in the event of a security incident.
