SEOUL, Feb 4, 2026, 19:18 (KST)
- Samsung’s routine security updates have dropped the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra from their coverage list
- The Galaxy S22 trio and Galaxy S21 FE have shifted to a quarterly security update schedule
- This shift underscores the growing importance of extended software support as a key selling feature
Samsung Electronics has stopped regular security updates for the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S22 series and the Galaxy S21 FE will now receive quarterly patches, according to Samsung’s Mobile Security website. The company noted that update timing and availability depend on the market, carrier, and specific model.
The see-saw is crucial because security patches aren’t just for show. They close vulnerabilities, and the more time passes without updates, the tougher it becomes to claim the phone remains safe for banking apps, work profiles, or simple peace of mind.
Phone makers are now selling “years of support” much like battery life. Samsung claims its latest flagships, including the Galaxy S24 series, will get seven OS upgrades and seven years of security patches. “The Galaxy S24 series transforms our connection with the world,” said TM Roh, president and head of Samsung’s mobile division, at the launch. Samsung Global Newsroom
Android Authority reports that the S21 series vanishing from Samsung’s standard update schedules marks the end of regular support. That said, Samsung might still release emergency patches for serious security flaws. The site points out these phones, released in 2021, got their final major upgrade with Android 15-based One UI 7.
Galaxy S22 users won’t be left hanging, but updates will slow down. According to PhoneArena, Samsung shifted the S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra from monthly to quarterly security patches after rolling out the January 2026 update. That means updates now come roughly every three months. These phones launched in February 2022 and have already received the promised major Android upgrades.
The Galaxy S21 FE stands apart from the rest of the S21 lineup. SamMobile notes its delayed release—almost a year after the original S21 series—means it launched with newer software and will receive updates longer than the S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra. According to the site, the S21 FE is set to be the only S21 model still eligible for One UI 8, expected to run on Android 16.
Other competitors are also extending their support timelines. Google, for example, guarantees seven years of OS and security updates for the Pixel 8 series. The company brands these phones as “the first phone built for the generative AI era,” per a post on the Google Store quoting Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president of devices and services.
Apple has begun revealing minimum support timelines in the UK as part of product-security regulations. A compliance document for the iPhone 15 Pro Max submitted by Apple UK specifies a “defined support period” lasting at least five years from when the device was first supplied. Apple
But schedules don’t guarantee updates. A fresh flaw might emerge and never be patched on phones left off the list, while even supported models can linger waiting for carrier tests and regional releases.
Samsung’s clearer split between old and new support policies highlights just how quickly expectations have shifted since the S21 days. Buyers snapping up used flagships should keep in mind that cheaper hardware might carry hidden downsides.
Samsung’s list still has the S22 lineup and S21 FE on a quarterly update schedule, while the latest Galaxy models get monthly patches. The S21 trio has dropped off the list, forcing its users to choose between upgrading or going without regular fixes.
