Millions of smartphone users face a looming security risk as official software support for devices from Samsung, Google Pixel, Apple, and other manufacturers is set to expire in 2026. The end of support means these phones will no longer receive critical security patches, leaving them vulnerable to evolving cyber threats.
The wave of devices reaching their end-of-life particularly impacts models released in 2021 and 2022, according to recent reports. While the phones may continue to function, the lack of updates transforms a reliable device into a potential digital liability.
Samsung is among the manufacturers with a significant number of devices losing support. Models including the Galaxy A03, Galaxy A22, Galaxy A52, Galaxy F22, Galaxy F42, Galaxy M32, and Galaxy M42 will no longer receive updates after having reached the end of their support cycle with Android 13 and One UI 5 or 5.1. The Galaxy A52 was an exception, receiving an update to Android 14 and One UI 6.1. The Samsung Galaxy A13, released in 2022, is also nearing the end of its support, currently receiving quarterly updates with Android 14 and One UI 6.1, but is expected to cease receiving updates sometime in 2026.
Apple’s iPhone SE (2016) also reached the end of its software update lifecycle at the end of 2025. After five years of support, Apple designates devices as “vintage,” limiting repair options and providing security updates only for critical vulnerabilities. After seven years, a device is considered “obsolete,” with all support terminated. Several other iPhone models, including the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone XS, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone 11 Pro, have already been classified as vintage, with limited future updates expected.
Google Pixel phones are also affected. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, launched in October 2021, will stop receiving security updates in October 2026, as they were promised five years of support. The Pixel 6a, released in July 2022, will receive updates slightly longer, potentially until mid-2027.
OnePlus devices, including the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, will also lose support in 2026. The OnePlus 10 Pro is expected to receive security updates until early 2027 before reaching its end-of-life. LG phones are particularly vulnerable, as the company exited the smartphone market in 2021 and ceased all support in 2025.
Security experts warn that using a smartphone without security updates is risky, especially for activities like online banking or storing sensitive information. Without patches, known vulnerabilities remain open to exploitation. While a device may still function, the lack of security updates creates a significant risk.
