It's sale season, and you're on the hunt for a new smartphone. You spot a model with decent specs and an irresistible price tag — a win in today's inflationary economy. You buy it, feeling like you've snagged a bargain. But months later, you realize the manufacturer is about to end software support, forcing you to replace the device sooner than expected. Older phones are often the ones on sale, and their expiration dates are easy to overlook.

Before you spend money on a phone that might soon become a security risk, it's crucial to check how long it will receive updates. Many popular Android and iOS devices are entering their final year of software support. Once support ends, your data becomes more vulnerable to newly discovered security threats, and you'll miss out on new features. This article breaks down the support timelines for Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Apple smartphones nearing end of life before 2028.

Why Software Updates Matter

Your smartphone likely handles your banking, health data, work emails, and personal conversations. Security updates patch vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. When updates stop, your device becomes an easy target. Beyond security, end-of-life phones also stop receiving OS upgrades, meaning you miss out on new features. Apps gradually drop support for older OS versions, leaving you unable to use essential tools. Performance can degrade as apps are optimized for newer hardware and software. So while an unsupported phone still turns on, it becomes increasingly unreliable.

Manufacturers don't always announce when support ends. But once the last update is released, any vulnerability discovered afterward remains unpatched. This is why it's vital to know your device's support timeline before purchasing, especially when buying discounted older models.

Samsung's Support Policy and Models Nearing End of Life

Samsung offers up to seven years of updates for flagship models, five or six for mid-range, and four for budget devices. The following Samsung phones 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

If you own any of these, especially the 2022 models, you should plan an upgrade soon. The S23 series still has a year of security updates, but the Android OS updates have already ended for some.

Google's Support Policy and Pixel Models Approaching End of Life

Google has improved support over the years. The Pixel 8 and later get seven years of OS and security updates. Older models get five years. The following Pixel phones will reach end of life before the end of 2027:

• 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 Pixel 2, 3, 4, and 5 lineups are already unsupported. If you have a Pixel 6 or 6a, you have about a year left of security patches, but Android OS updates have already ended for the Pixel 6 series. The Pixel 7 series still has over a year of both OS and security updates.

Motorola's Support Policy and Models Nearing End of Life

Motorola has historically offered limited support: usually two to three years of security updates and often only one major Android upgrade. After EU regulations, Motorola promised five years of security updates for newer devices, but Android OS upgrades are not guaranteed. The following Motorola models 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

Most of these are 2023 or 2024 budget to mid-range devices. Even if they still receive security patches for another year or two, they likely won't get Android OS upgrades after the first one. Be cautious when buying older Moto models on sale.

Apple's Support Approach and iPhones Nearing End of Life

Apple doesn't publish explicit end-of-life dates, but they categorize products as vintage (5-7 years after distribution ended) and obsolete (over 7 years). iPhones typically receive iOS updates for 5 to 7 years. With iOS 27 expected this fall, it will run on devices as old as the iPhone 11 series from 2019. This suggests that the iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max will likely get their final major update with iOS 27. The iPhone 12 and 13 lineups probably have a couple more years.

However, Apple Intelligence features require an iPhone 15 Pro or later, so future updates may drop older models sooner due to performance demands. Even without new iOS versions, Apple occasionally releases security patches for older operating systems. In May 2026, they issued updates for iOS 15 through 18, covering the iPhone 6s (2015) and many others. But such extended support is not guaranteed.

What to Do If Your Phone Is Nearing End of Support

You probably shouldn't buy any of the phones listed above unless you're fully aware of the limited support. But if you already own one, you can take steps to reduce risk:

• Keep updating your apps for as long as possible.
• Avoid connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
• Only install apps from the official app store, and be selective.
• Be extra cautious about links in emails or messages.

Ultimately, upgrading to a newer model as soon as your budget allows is the safest option. Your smartphone contains deeply personal data, and keeping it secure should be a priority. An unsupported phone is a liability, not just an inconvenience. Knowing your device's support status helps you make informed decisions about protecting your digital life.

Source: Engadget News