- Final Security Patch: Samsung’s October 2025 update is likely the last security patch for the Galaxy S20 FE, marking the end of official support after five years [1] [2]. The device turned five years old in October 2025, fulfilling Samsung’s promise of five years of security updates [3].
- No More Updates: Samsung is expected to remove the Galaxy S20 FE from its update list soon. As of late October, it was still listed for quarterly patches, but with the five-year window now closed, delisting is imminent [4] [5].
- Fan-Favorite Phone: Launched in October 2020, the Galaxy S20 FE quickly became a fan-favorite for offering flagship-level features at a lower price [6] [7]. It was the first “Fan Edition” (FE) based on the Galaxy S series and helped define the FE lineup’s value proposition.
- Upgrade Advice: Experts urge S20 FE owners to consider upgrading now. Without new patches, the phone will grow increasingly vulnerable to security threats over time [8]. Samsung’s latest FE models, like the just-released Galaxy S25 FE, promise 7 years of updates, far outlasting the S20 FE’s support period [9] [10].
- Successor Updates: Newer Fan Edition phones are still getting updates. For example, the Galaxy S21 FE (launched 2022) is now receiving the One UI 8 upgrade (Android 16) – its last major OS update – in regions from Asia to East Africa [11] [12]. That device will continue with security patches into 2026, reflecting Samsung’s improved long-term support for recent models.
Galaxy S20 FE’s Final Update and End of Support
Samsung has officially pulled the plug on the Galaxy S20 FE’s software support. In mid-October 2025, the S20 FE received the October security patch, and multiple reports confirm this is effectively the final update for the device [13] [14]. Samsung had originally promised five years of security updates for the S20 FE, and that commitment has now been fulfilled as the phone hits its five-year anniversary [15]. In other words, the October 2025 patch is the last time Galaxy S20 FE users will see their phone updated. After a long and eventful run, “the phone has reached the end of software support,” as SamMobile puts it [16].
Samsung’s support page still (as of late October) listed the S20 FE under devices receiving quarterly security patches, but this is about to change [17]. Samsung is expected to delist the Galaxy S20 FE from the official update schedule by November 2025 [18]. Once removed, the device will no longer get scheduled security patches or Android OS upgrades. This isn’t a surprise – it’s simply the end of the promised support window. The Galaxy S20 FE has now been “current” with updates through October 2025, but will get no future patches going forward [19].
From a security standpoint, this means the S20 FE will gradually become more vulnerable as new threats emerge. There’s no immediate impact on functionality – the phone will continue to work normally – but without ongoing patches, any newly discovered exploits or vulnerabilities will remain unpatched on this model [20] [21]. This inevitable decline in security is why experts are encouraging owners to upgrade. Android Central bluntly dubbed it “the end of an era” for the Galaxy S20 FE and urges that owners “start looking to upgrade now that active support is nearing the end” [22]. In practical terms, S20 FE users should weigh the risks of staying on an unsupported device versus moving to a newer phone that will receive updates.
The Galaxy S20 FE: A Fan-Favorite That Defined “Fan Edition”
It’s worth reflecting on why the Galaxy S20 FE made such an impact. Released on October 2, 2020, the S20 FE (short for “Fan Edition”) was Samsung’s attempt to deliver a flagship-like experience at a more affordable price [23]. It packed many of the high-end features of the regular Galaxy S20 – like a fast processor and excellent cameras – but came in a cheaper package, using cost-saving measures like a plastic back and a flat display. This formula struck a chord with consumers: the S20 FE quickly became one of the most attractive and interesting phones of 2020 [24]. Tech outlets lauded it as a budget-friendly hero device, and its sales reflected its popularity (Samsung reportedly struggled to keep some color variants in stock due to high demand).
Importantly, the Galaxy S20 FE kickstarted Samsung’s modern FE lineup [25]. It was the first Fan Edition phone in years (the last “FE” was 2017’s Galaxy Note Fan Edition) and the first ever based on an S-series flagship. Its success proved there was a market for premium specs at a mid-range price, and Samsung followed up with FE models in subsequent generations (with a brief pause – no S22 FE – before resuming the series). The “Fan Edition” concept has since become a staple, aiming to offer “good value for money and key high-end specs for a lower price,” as Samsung’s experts explain [26]. In essence, the S20 FE defined a winning formula that Samsung continues to refine today.
After launch, the S20 FE received three major Android OS upgrades in its lifetime (from Android 10 up to Android 13) and a full five years of security patches [27]. This was a respectable support policy for a 2020 device – at the time, Samsung’s update commitments were shorter than they are now. In fact, five years of updates was the promise and Samsung delivered exactly that [28]. By late 2023, the S20 FE had stopped getting new Android versions (it did not receive Android 14), but it continued to get quarterly security patches through 2024 and 2025. Now, with the final October 2025 patch sent out, the S20 FE’s journey has come to an end on the software front.
Samsung’s Evolving Update Promises (and How New FE Phones Benefit)
The retirement of the S20 FE illustrates how far Samsung’s update policy has come in recent years. In 2020, promising 5 years of security updates (and around 3 major OS upgrades) for a mid-range flagship was considered generous. But by 2023-2024, Samsung (along with Google) began pushing the boundaries of device longevity. Today’s top models are backed by up to 7 years of OS upgrades and security patches [29], an industry-leading policy that provides peace of mind to buyers. Samsung’s software support “wasn’t always this way” [30], as one commentator noted, but it has dramatically improved – meaning new phones will stay up-to-date far longer than the S20 FE did.
Notably, Samsung’s new Fan Edition devices are beneficiaries of this extended support. The recently launched Galaxy S25 FE (2025) comes with an impressive promise of seven years of Android OS updates and seven years of security releases [31]. This means a phone like the S25 FE could be receiving updates well into 2032 [32], outliving the typical smartphone replacement cycle. Even the Galaxy S24 FE (2024) was launched under a similar policy. For Samsung fans, this is a huge leap – a recognition that users keep their phones longer now and expect longer-term support.
By contrast, the Galaxy S20 FE’s “3 OS updates and 5 years of patches” now feels modest. It’s the end of an era in that sense: devices from the early 2020s (like the S20 FE and its contemporaries) are aging out, while newer models will enjoy significantly prolonged support. This change aligns Samsung with Google’s Pixel software policy, and even surpasses many competitors. It ensures that “modern models are supported for seven years” and likely remain secure and functional longer than most users keep their phones [33]. For consumers, this shift means buying a Samsung phone today is a safer long-term investment than it was five years ago.
Galaxy S21 FE: Last Major Update Arrives as Another FE Era Ends
The Galaxy S20 FE isn’t the only Fan Edition model hitting its support limits. Its successor, the Galaxy S21 FE, is also in the news – but in this case for receiving one last big software update. In late October 2025, Samsung began rolling out One UI 8 (based on Android 16) to the Galaxy S21 FE [34]. This update, which first landed in Thailand and Vietnam, is significant because it’s the final major Android OS upgrade that the S21 FE is slated to get [35]. (Samsung had promised four OS version updates for the S21 FE, which launched in early 2022, and One UI 8 represents the fourth.) Samsung’s rollout was surprisingly swift – the S21 FE had only received Android 15 (One UI 7) a few months prior, in May 2025 [36], yet by October it leapfrogged to Android 16.
Regional reports show the One UI 8 update spreading beyond Asia as well. By the end of October, the Galaxy S21 FE’s Android 16 update had reached East Africa, including Kenya [37], bringing those users into the “One UI 8 party.” This means Galaxy S21 FE owners in multiple continents are now enjoying new features and improvements from Samsung’s latest software. With firmware version G990EXXUIHYJ2 (roughly a 2GB download) [38], One UI 8 delivers a range of enhancements (like more Galaxy AI features and lock screen customizations) while also marking the end of the road for major updates on that device.
The Galaxy S21 FE will still receive security patches on a monthly cycle for about another year [39] [40]. Samsung typically provides a total of five years of security updates for devices of that era, so we can expect S21 FE support to continue until around early 2027. But it won’t get Android 17 next year – One UI 8 (Android 16) is the last hurrah. For S21 FE owners, this is a reminder similar to the S20 FE’s situation: the device remains functional and safe for now, but the countdown has begun. By early 2027, the S21 FE too will be retired from updates. The good news is that going forward, no Fan Edition phone should “lose support as quickly” as the S20 FE and S21 FE did [41]. Starting with 2024’s models, FE users can expect a much longer runway before they face another end-of-support notice.
Time to Say Goodbye – What S20 FE Owners Should Do Next
For proud Galaxy S20 FE owners, seeing support officially end is bittersweet. This phone has provided solid service for half a decade – a testament to Samsung’s hardware durability and the community of users and developers that kept it relevant. However, running a phone with no future security updates is increasingly risky. As months go by, any new Android vulnerabilities or malware that arise will target devices like the S20 FE that are frozen on older patch levels. Over time, apps may also start expecting newer Android versions for the latest features. In short, while an S20 FE won’t stop working overnight after its final update, it will slowly fall behind in security and software reliability [42].
Experts recommend upgrading sooner rather than later. “Owners of the Galaxy S20 FE should probably start looking to upgrade now that active support is nearing the end,” advises Android Central [43]. Upgrading ensures you stay protected and get to enjoy the latest features. The natural upgrade path within Samsung’s ecosystem could be a newer FE model or a mainline Galaxy S series phone. Samsung has launched several successors in the Fan Edition lineup – for instance, the Galaxy S25 FE just hit the market in 2025. That device offers a sizable jump in performance and cameras over the S20 FE, and critically, comes with that extended 7-year support lifespan [44]. Samsung is even offering promotions for loyal fans: in some regions like the U.S., you can trade in a Galaxy S20 FE for around a $200 discount on the Galaxy S25 FE [45]. Similar trade-in deals or loyalty discounts might be available elsewhere, softening the cost of an upgrade.
Of course, upgrading is a personal decision and the S20 FE can still serve basic needs for a while. If you choose to keep using it, exercise caution: avoid installing apps from unknown sources, consider using reputable mobile security apps, and be mindful of any signs of malware. But realistically, by 2026 the S20 FE will be running on borrowed time. Samsung has moved on – and so should its fans. The Galaxy S20 FE’s legacy will live on in the FE series it helped popularize. As one Samsung watcher noted, this phone “established an enduring legacy that continues to this day” [46]. Now, as we say goodbye to the S20 FE after five amazing years, fans can look to the future. Whether it’s the Galaxy S25 FE or another model, the next chapter offers not just upgraded specs but also the reassurance that Samsung’s updates will keep coming for years to come [47] – a fitting send-off for a phone that gave its all for five full years.
Sources: Samsung, SamMobile [48] [49]; Android Central [50] [51]; Samsung Magazine [52] [53]; Tech-ish Kenya [54].
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