For many Android enthusiasts, the Samsung Galaxy S20 series – comprising the Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra – represented the pinnacle of smartphone technology upon its release. However, the curtain has now officially closed on software support for these once-flagship devices, as confirmed by an update to Samsung’s security updates page. The trio is no longer listed under any of the company’s update cadences (Monthly, Quarterly, or Biannual), signaling the end of an era.

Gradual Phase-Out Culminates

This development follows a gradual tapering of support. Back in April 2024, Samsung made a notable change to its update policy for the Galaxy S20 series. Specifically, the company shifted these devices from monthly to quarterly security updates. This move came as part of Samsung’s broader initiative to extend software support for select older devices.

The Galaxy S20 lineup originally launched in 2020. Since then, it has already received its promised three major Android upgrades, moving from Android 10 to Android 13. In addition, Samsung provided four years of security patches, staying true to its commitment to long-term support. By all accounts, 2024 should have marked the end of the line.

However, Samsung opted to provide an additional year of quarterly security updates for the S20 series, alongside the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra. Now, after the rollout of the March 2025 security patch, users of the Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra should no longer expect any further official updates from the South Korean tech giant. While there remains a slim possibility of an emergency security patch in the event of a critical vulnerability, this would be an exception rather than the rule.

Interestingly, the Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition) and its 5G variant have been spared the immediate discontinuation. The security update page still lists these models under the Quarterly update schedule. This suggests that Galaxy S20 FE users can likely anticipate two more security updates, one in the second quarter and another in the third quarter of 2025, before their devices also reach the end of their software support lifecycle.

The Inevitable End of Software Support

The end of support for the Galaxy S20 series serves as a reminder of the finite lifespan of even the most premium smartphones. While Samsung has significantly improved its software update policy in recent years, offering up to four OS upgrades and five years of security updates for newer flagship devices like the Galaxy S25 series, older models eventually reach a point where continued support becomes unsustainable.

What This Means for S20 Users

For users still holding onto their Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, or S20 Ultra, this news means that while their devices will continue to function, they will no longer receive crucial security patches that protect against emerging threats. It also signifies that they will miss out on future Android OS updates and the new features and improvements they bring. This may prompt users to consider upgrading to newer devices to ensure they remain on a secure and up-to-date mobile platform.

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