Why software expiration matters more than you think
Your smartphone is likely the most personal device you own. It holds your banking credentials, health records, work emails, and countless private conversations. But when a manufacturer ends software support, your phone stops receiving critical security patches. Without these updates, any newly discovered vulnerability becomes an open door for cybercriminals. Most people don't realize that end-of-life dates arrive sooner than expected, especially during sale seasons when older models are heavily discounted. Before you snag what seems like a bargain, it's essential to check how many years of updates remain.
What end of life really means
Once a phone reaches its end-of-life (EOL) date, it doesn't instantly brick. But it does become frozen in time. No more OS upgrades, no more security fixes, and eventually, apps will drop support for older software versions. Performance also degrades as developers optimize for newer hardware and APIs. Even if you manage to live without the latest features, your data's safety is compromised. Security researchers and malicious actors alike are constantly probing for flaws; an unpatched device is an easy target.
Samsung's support timeline
Samsung offers up to seven years of updates for its flagship Galaxy S and Z series, but mid-range and budget models get fewer. Several popular models are now in their final year of support. For example, the Galaxy A54 5G launched in March 2023 will stop receiving Android updates in March 2027 and security updates in May 2027. The Galaxy S23 series, launched February 2023, ends Android updates in February 2027 and security updates in February 2028. Older models like the Galaxy S22 series (February 2022) already lost Android updates in February 2026 and will lose security patches in February 2027. The Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4 (August 2022) will see security updates end in August 2027. Budget phones like the Galaxy A14 (May 2023) have already ended Android updates in May 2025 and security support ends May 2027. The Galaxy A53 5G (April 2022) ended Android updates in April 2026 and security updates end April 2027. The Galaxy S21 FE (January 2022) ends security updates in January 2027. The Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 (August 2021) ended all updates in August 2026.
Google's Pixel lineup
Google now guarantees seven years of updates for Pixel 8 and later models, but older Pixels get five years. Several models are approaching their EOL before the end of 2027. The Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7 (both launched October 2022) will reach EOL in October 2027. The Pixel 6a (July 2022) ends in July 2027. The Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 (October 2021) end in October 2026. The Pixel 2 through 5 series are already unsupported. If you own or are considering a Pixel 6 series, you have less than a year of security updates left.
Motorola's limited commitment
Motorola has historically offered only two or three years of security updates, with most models receiving just one major OS upgrade. Even after EU pressure, Motorola still finds loopholes, often promising security patches without guaranteeing Android version updates. Many Moto models are nearing EOL by the end of 2027. The Moto G (December 2024) ends December 2027. The Moto G Stylus 5G (May 2024) ends May 2027. The Motorola Edge 2024 (May 2024) ends May 2027. The Moto G Power 5G (May 2024) ends March 2027. The Moto G 5G (March 2024) ends March 2027. The Moto G Play (January 2024) ends January 2027. The Motorola Razr (September 2023) ends September 2027. The Motorola Razr+ (June 2023) ends June 2027. The Motorola Edge+ (May 2023) ends May 2027. These dates are for security updates; Android OS updates may end even earlier.
Apple's vintage and obsolete classification
Apple doesn't publish explicit EOL dates but uses a vintage/obsolete system. Products become vintage five years after discontinuation and obsolete after seven. iPhones typically get iOS updates for five to seven years after launch. The upcoming iOS 27 is expected to support phones as old as the iPhone 11 series (September 2019), meaning the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and the 2020 iPhone SE will likely get their final OS update with iOS 27. The iPhone 12 and 13 lineups probably have a couple more years. However, as Apple Intelligence features require newer hardware, older models may be dropped sooner. Notably, Apple still sends security patches to older iOS versions; in May 2026, it updated iOS 15 through 18, covering devices as old as the iPhone 6s (2015), iPhone SE (first gen), iPhone 7, 8, X, XS, and XR. This is an exception, not a guarantee.
What to do if you own an unsupported phone
If you already own one of these models, you can extend its safe lifespan by following a few precautions. Keep all apps updated for as long as possible, avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi, never sideload apps from outside the official store, and be extremely cautious with links in emails or messages. But the best advice is to upgrade to a newer device as soon as your budget allows. An unsupported phone is not just an inconvenience – it's a security liability. Knowing where your device stands in the support timeline is crucial for protecting your personal data. After all, the only thing worse than those annoying update notifications is realizing they'll never come again.
Source: Engadget News