Samsung's 2022 Galaxy Watch 5 Leads 2026 Update List as S22 Support Ends

Samsung's update commitments vary by product tier. According to Engadget, flagship smartphones and tablets receive up to seven years of support, mid-range devices receive about five to six years, and budget models receive up to four years. The tiering determines which older devices remain eligible for Android updates in 2026 and which have already reached the end of their support.

In the Galaxy S series, the Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra will receive Android updates until February 2027. The Galaxy S22 lineup and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G lost support earlier this year. For foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 ended their Android update windows in August 2026, while the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5 and newer models continue to receive updates.

Samsung's A series presents a mixed picture. The Galaxy A15 will get Android updates until December 2027, and the Galaxy A24 will get them until May 2027. The Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A54 5G are supported until March 2027. The Galaxy A06 4G lost Android updates in August 2026, but the Galaxy A06 5G will continue to receive them until February 2031. The Galaxy A73 stopped getting Android updates in April 2026.

Among tablets, the Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Ultra will receive Android software updates until August 2027. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ and Tab S9 FE will receive them until October 2027. The Galaxy Tab A9+ and Tab A9 get Android updates until October 2026 and receive only two generations of OS updates. The Galaxy Tab Active 5 is supported until January 2028, while the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro is supported until 2033.

For wearables, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro will receive Wear OS updates until December 2026, Engadget said. The Watch 5's 2022 release date makes it the oldest device still on the 2026 update schedule in Engadget's account.

Once a Samsung device falls off the update list, the change can happen without a direct warning to the owner, according to Engadget. Users can check their model online or consult Samsung's security update list. If the Settings app shows that a phone has not been updated for several months or years, it is likely no longer supported. A refurbished model that appears inexpensive may lose update access within a year. Without security patches, the phone becomes more vulnerable to new threats. As updates stop, apps may also become incompatible with the device, and unusual pop-ups or unexpected apps that consume data can be signs that the device has been compromised.