Samsung has ceased software updates for several Galaxy smartphone models, affecting millions of owners as the company implements changes to its support schedule. The decision removes the devices from Samsung’s official support list, ending security and Android version updates for the specified handsets.
This action contributes to a larger trend within the Android ecosystem, where more than 750 million users operate devices that no longer receive security updates. This figure surpasses the estimated 500 million users of Windows 10 who are similarly losing support. The termination of updates for additional Samsung models now adds to the total number of users with devices that are not scheduled to receive patches against emerging security threats.
According to a report from SammyGuru, the policy changes include instituting a new quarterly update plan for the Galaxy S21 FE and completely ending software support for four older Galaxy devices. The report specified the immediate impact, stating, “If you are using any of those four models, you will no longer receive updates.” This shift alters the established update frequency for the S21 FE while concluding the software lifecycle for the other models entirely.
The publication SammyFans confirmed the move, reporting that “Samsung has removed these four models from its official update list.” This official removal serves as a formal declaration of the end of the support period. The outlet warned users that because of this change, “these phones will not receive any more Android version updates, new features, or security updates from Samsung.”
The four models that have been removed from the update schedule are the Galaxy A52s, the Galaxy A03s, the Galaxy M32 5G, and the Galaxy F42. For these specific devices, all forms of software support from the manufacturer have been discontinued, which includes both major operating system upgrades and periodic security patches.
Despite the end of direct software support from Samsung, the phones will remain functional for standard use. SammyGuru explained that users “will continue to receive Google Play system updates, which help maintain essential services like banking, messaging, and app security.” However, the source also highlighted the associated risks, noting, “you are no longer protected against the latest threats and vulnerabilities, so upgrading to a newer model is a good idea.” This means that while core application services managed through the Google Play Store will be maintained, the underlying operating system will not be patched against newly discovered vulnerabilities.
These changes occur as Google itself modifies its Android update strategy. The company is transitioning toward grouping most feature updates and minor bug corrections into a quarterly release schedule. This consolidation does not apply to all patches, as critical security fixes will still be released on a monthly basis as they become available.
In a separate development, an issue has emerged with the newer Galaxy S22 series. SamMobile reports that Samsung has paused the global rollout of the One UI 8.0 update, which is based on Android 16. The deployment began at the start of October but has now been suspended worldwide. According to SamMobile, “Typically, when this happens, it means that Samsung has identified an issue with the firmware and has temporarily halted the update to prepare a hotfix.”
