Final update 2026

Your phone's final update might be closer than you think. Some major models will stop getting new software this year.

Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola all promise years of support, but the clock is already running out for older devices. UK regulators forced Apple's hand in 2024, demanding a minimum 5 years of security updates, but that's just the floor, not the ceiling.

Google goes further, guaranteeing 7 full years for Pixel 8 and newer, while Samsung matches that for its flagship Galaxy lineup. But Motorola's promises are all over the map—some phones get just 2 years, others stretch to 4, with no clear pattern.

This year, the iPhone 11 and SE 2020 will likely see their last updates, along with Samsung's Galaxy S23 series and Z Fold 5. Even high-end phones don't last forever.

Apple's 5-year minimum is just security patches, not the feature updates that keep devices feeling fresh. All told, if you're holding on to an older model, 2026 could be the year you're left behind.

No more fixes, no new tricks. So before you assume your phone's got years left, check the fine print—some brands are already counting down.