Samsung tops Google to offer four-year security support for Galaxy S, Note, A, Z series

One of the top complaints among Android phone users is the short-term software support. On average, most mobile-makers offer a minimum of two years of major Android updates and an additional year of security patches to protect users from cyber threats.

However, the obligation is mostly limited to top-end premium phones, while low-cost phones never get priority. Some may get after a long delay and while others never receive an update at all.

In a welcome move, Samsung in August 2020, pledged to offer three years Android OS update for several Galaxy S, Note, Fold, A, F, M series phones and tablets on par with Google's Pixel phones.

Now, Samsung has promised to offer four years of security software for 130 phone models launched since 2019.

It should be noted that Google's latest devices won't get updated beyond 2023, while the Galaxy S20 and other devices launched in 2019, will get support up to 2023, while 2020-series models are assured to get security cover till 2024. And, the ones launched this year such as the Galaxy S21 series are assured to get support till 2025.

With user privacy becoming a top priority around the world, this is a brilliant move by South Korean company and now, Android users, at least those with Samsung phones can feel safe to use old devices for long without worrying over outdated software becoming vulnerable to cyber threats.

“At Samsung, our number one priority is offering the best and most secure mobile experience to our users, and we’re constantly optimizing the security of our products and services. Mobile devices play such an important role in our lives, it’s only natural that we want to hold onto them longer. That’s why, thanks to the latest technology advancements, we’re committing to securing Galaxy devices for even longer, so that everything that should be kept protected stays protected,” said Seungwon Shin, VP & Head of Security Team at Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Knox Security. Credit: Samsung

Must read | Samsung pledges long-term Android OS update support for these Galaxy phones, tablets

Here is the list of Samsung phones and tablets eligible for four years of security software patches:
Galaxy Foldable devices: Fold, Fold 5G, Z Fold2, Z Fold2 5G, Z Flip, Z Flip 5G
Galaxy S series: S10, S10+, S10e, S10 5G, S10 Lite, S20, S20 5G, S20+, S20+ 5G, S20 Ultra, S20 Ultra 5G, S20 FE, S20 FE 5G, S21 5G, S21+ 5G, S21 Ultra 5G
Galaxy Note series: Note10, Note10 5G, Note10+, Note10+ 5G, Note10 Lite, Note20, Note20 5G, Note20 Ultra, Note20 Ultra 5G
Galaxy A series: A10, A10e, A10s, A20, A20s, A30, A30s, A40, A50, A50s, A60, A70, A70s, A80, A90 5G, A11, A21, A21s, A31, A41, A51, A51 5G, A71, A71 5G, A02s, A12, A32 5G, A42 5G
Galaxy M series: M10s, M20, M30, M30s, M40, M11, M12, M21, M31, M31s, M51
Galaxy XCover series: XCover4s, XCover FieldPro, XCover Pro
Galaxy Tab series: Tab Active Pro, Tab Active3, Tab A 8 (2019), Tab A with S Pen, Tab A 8.4 (2020), Tab A7, Tab S5e, Tab S6, Tab S6 5G, Tab S6 Lite, Tab S7, Tab S7+

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