Picture this: It's sale season and you're browsing for a new phone. You spot one with decent specs that fits your budget — a win right now with prices on everything going up. You buy it feeling like you got a bargain, but months later you realize you'll have to get a replacement sooner than later because the manufacturer is pulling the plug on its software support.

Older phone models are often the ones you'll find on sale. The siren song of a good deal is hard to resist, but that's exactly what you have to resist. Before you throw your money at a phone like confetti at a parade, you need to check its expiration date. There are loads of smartphones in their last year of software support. That means they will soon lose access to updates, and your data may become more vulnerable to newly discovered security threats.

Why Software Updates Matter

Your smartphone probably handles your banking, health data, work emails, and all your personal conversations. So when did your phone last receive a security update? Most phones get annoyingly persistent push notifications for system updates that always land when you have insufficient battery or cannot leave the phone alone for the few minutes it takes to run the update. But as annoying as these notifications are, it's bad news when they stop appearing. Manufacturers don't always broadcast when support is about to expire. Once a phone stops receiving updates, it also stops receiving patches for newly discovered security vulnerabilities, putting all your sensitive information at risk.

Many phones reach the end of software support sooner than most people expect. It doesn't mean your phone stops working; it means the manufacturer stops pushing security patches and OS upgrades. Any vulnerability discovered from that day forward opens your phone to risks of financial and private data theft.

End of Life: What It Means

Security researchers and cybercriminals alike constantly dig for new vulnerabilities in software, including mobile operating systems. When vulnerabilities are discovered, manufacturers release patches. Once software support ends, newly discovered vulnerabilities may no longer be patched.

Beyond security, end-of-life phones get frozen in time. New Android and iOS features aren't coming. At some point, apps also stop supporting older OS versions, leaving you unable to use key tools. Even if you manage security risks, aging unsupported smartphones tend to struggle with app requirements as apps are optimized for newer hardware and software.

Samsung Nearing End of Support

Samsung's support policy varies by device tier. Galaxy flagships get up to seven years of updates, mid-range models max out at five or six, and budget phones get up to four years. Here are Samsung models that will 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, 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, Z Flip3 (launched August 2021) — Android updates ended August 2025, security updates end August 2026.

Google Pixel Models Nearing End of Support

Google has improved its support commitment over the years. Pixel 8 and later devices receive 7 years of OS and security updates from the date they first became available. Older devices only receive 5 years. Depending on release dates, several models are entering their final years of support:

• Google Pixel 7 Pro (launched October 2022) — reaches end of life (EOL) in October 2027.
• Google Pixel 7 (launched October 2022) — reaches EOL in October 2027.
• Google Pixel 6a (launched July 2022) — reaches EOL in July 2027.
• Google Pixel 6 Pro (launched October 2021) — reaches EOL in October 2026.
• Google Pixel 6 (launched October 2021) — reaches EOL in October 2026.

The Google Pixel 2, 3, 4, and 5 lineups are already no longer receiving updates.

Motorola Nearing End of Support

Motorola's commitments are more limited. Traditionally, most Motorola devices received security updates for only 2 or 3 years, with most models getting just 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, though it found loopholes and won't promise to deploy Android updates on top of security patches. Here are Motorola models that will reach end of life before the end of 2027:

• Moto G (launched December 2024) — reaches EOL in December 2027.
• Moto G Stylus 5G (launched May 2024) — reaches EOL in May 2027.
• Motorola Edge 2024 (launched May 2024) — reaches EOL in May 2027.
• Moto G Power 5G (launched May 2024) — reaches EOL March 2027.
• Moto G 5G (launched March 2024) — reaches EOL March 2027.
• Moto G Play (launched January 2024) — reaches EOL January 2027.
• Motorola Razr (launched September 2023) — reaches EOL September 2027.
• Motorola Razr+ (launched June 2023) — reaches EOL June 2027.
• Motorola Edge+ (launched May 2023) — reaches EOL May 2027.

Apple iPhones Nearing End of Support

Apple doesn't explicitly publish end-of-life dates like Android manufacturers, but uses a classification system. Vintage products are those Apple stopped distributing for sale more than 5 years ago but less than 7 years ago. Obsolete products are those stopped more than 7 years ago. iPhones typically receive iOS updates for 5-7 years after launch. If your iPhone is approaching the 5-year mark since release, it's worth checking if it's still compatible with the latest iOS version. iOS 27 is coming this fall and can run on phones as old as iPhone 11 (released September 2019). Generally, it will be compatible with all phones that support iOS 26. Apple Intelligence features, however, are only supported on iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and later.

Therefore, iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max will likely get their final update with iOS 27, while the iPhone 12 and 13 lineups probably have a couple more years. In the years to come, as Apple focuses on Apple Intelligence, it could drop support on older models sooner due to performance and RAM demands. Older iPhones may not get new OS updates, but Apple still sends security patches their way. In May 2026, Apple rolled out security-focused updates for iOS 15 through iOS 18, extending support to several iPhone models, including iPhone 6s (first released September 2015), first-generation iPhone SE, all iPhone 7 models, all iPhone 8 models, iPhone X, all XS models, and iPhone XR.

What to Do If Your Phone Is Nearing End of Support

You probably shouldn't buy any of the phones listed above, no matter how affordable they are. But what if you already own one? Plenty of people keep using unsupported phones for months or years after end of life because upgrading is expensive or “it's still working fine.” If that's your situation, here's what to do:

• 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 be selective even when picking them from there.
• Be extra cautious about links you get in emails or messages.

Ultimately, the best advice is to upgrade to a newer model as soon as your budget allows. Your smartphone is one of the most personal devices you own, filled with data you want to keep secure. While each brand handles support differently, it's important that your phone — whether you just bought it or have owned it for a while — receives security updates. An unsupported phone is a liability, not just an inconvenience. Knowing where your device stands is one of the best steps you can take to protect your data. After all, the only thing worse than seeing that persistent “update available” notification is realizing it'll never pop up again.

Source: Engadget News