Software updates are important, and leading brands know it very well. Apple and Google have a systematic update rollout mechanism that is just impressive. Samsung also has decent software support for Galaxy phones, with some nearing the end of life.

Samsung is still supporting Galaxy devices released way back in 2021. Those models landed with a software guarantee of five years. However, newer Galaxy phones and tablets support even longer updates, up to seven years.

If you get a Samsung device launched in August 2026, it will receive software updates until August 2033. This is a massive seven years of software support the Korean tech giant is presently offering on its flagship Galaxy lineup. Even if you get a mid-range or budget model, you are covered for up to six years of updates.

What makes Samsung updates impressive is the rollout frequency. Premium Galaxy phones and select mid-range models get new updates every month. Other phones and all tablets (as well as watches) get a new update every quarter.

That said, flagship Samsung phones released in 2021 and others in 2022 are nearing the end of life. Android updates stop a year prior to security patches, as Samsung keeps letting users rock with their devices for an additional year.

What Samsung Galaxy phones are nearing the end of life

Note that the list is not final, nor provided by Samsung. This is compiled based on the software support data publicly available. Device(s) could still get new software updates after hitting the end of life defined by Samsung.

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Photo by Sammyfans

Samsung’s August 2026 security update has started rolling out to devices, a week after the company shared full patch details for the Z8 series, starting with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The Korean tech giant is debuting its August 2026 security update first on its newly released foldable phones. The firmware is built on the official Android 17-based One UI 9, while others receive it regardless of the OS version.

What’s new in August 2026 security patch

This SMR package includes a total of 56 patches from Google and Samsung. Galaxy devices are powered by Android at the core, so they get fixes from Google’s Bulletin as well.

The patch contains overall 38 security improvements, of which 8 are labeled “Critical” and 30 are labeled “High.” Samsung Mobile provides 18 Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) items described here.

Which Samsung phones have the August 2026 update?

• Galaxy Z Flip 8
• Galaxy Z Fold 8
• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra – AZH7

Source – Samsung Community Korea

How to download and install?

Fetch the latest firmware for your device first through SETTINGS > SOFTWARE UPDATE. Here, tap on the DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL button. Now, your phone will connect to the server and begin downloading the OTA.

Wait until the download completes and press INSTALL/RESTART NOW. It will initiate the Seamless Updates system to extract and install the firmware online. A quick reboot will finish the installation, taking just a few seconds.

Samsung Galaxy S26 series is receiving a new Google Play System Update (GPSU), following the One UI 9 Beta 5 rollout. Even though the August 2026 release, the contents of this software are taken from the July 2026 release notes.

Google recently detailed the August 2026 Google Play System update. The build, which is awaiting a rollout, comes with various improvements. It also adds location accuracy enhancements for Wear OS-powered smartwatches.

Samsung pauses the release of Play System updates on the Beta channel. Meanwhile, the latest GPSU on the Galaxy S26 series is an exception, as it arrived for users after installing the latest One UI 9 Beta 5 firmware update (via TarunVats).

The update weighs around 12 megabytes, but the size varies by model. At present, the One UI 9 Beta is available on Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. The latest foldable phones run a stable version of the Android 17-based software.

You can install the latest GPSU through Settings > Security and privacy > Updates > Google Play system update. The deployment has just begun, so you may not immediately see the OTA on your Galaxy smartphone.

Samsung has been testing One UI 9 Beta since May 2026. The firmware went official in late July, and the official rollout started earlier this month. Galaxy S26 FE is set to launch with One UI 9 in the first week of September 2026.

Samsung has started rolling out the August 2026 security update for the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. This four-year-old smartwatch is the first Galaxy Watch to receive the new update. For now, it is available only in South Korea.

The new update for Galaxy Watch 5 comes with build number R920XXS2DZG3. The update is around 147.29MB in size and mainly focuses on improving security. Users should not expect major new features with this update.

August 2026 security update fixes a bunch of security issues on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. These fixes help make the smartwatch safer and protect it from possible security threats. Newer models, including the Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch 9, and Galaxy Watch 8, are still waiting for the update.

Samsung is expected to release the update in more countries over the next few days. The rollout may happen at different times depending on the country and watch model. Users can check their watch regularly to see if the update is available.

To download the update, open the Galaxy Wearable app on your Android phone. Go to Watch settings >> Watch software update >> Download and install. August 2026 update helps keep the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro safer and shows that Samsung is still providing security support for the older smartwatch.

Samsung just released the first software update based on the official One UI 9 version. The company’s newest foldables are benefiting from this rollout; however, it’s coming a week before the public release of the devices.

First update for Galaxy Z Fold 8 phones

Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra (probably the Z Flip 8 too) are receiving their first software update, which is based on official One UI 9.

Expanding to more countries on August 11

After the US, Samsung has now expanded the first software update [PDA: AZGI] to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series in South Korea. Even though the software arrives in August, the security patch is still dated June 5, 2026.

Initially dropped on July 31 in the US

Even though it landed on the verge of August, security patches date back to June 2026. The firmware size is over 600 megabytes, and the changelog content doesn’t specify the target changes beyond stability improvements.

That said, this update is aimed at early units of the devices. GregglesTV confirmed the rollout for Galaxy Z Fold 8, while tipster Kailash spotted the update for the Ultra version as well, making the Flip 8 also a beneficiary.

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 – F971NKSU1AZGI / F971USQU1AZGI
• Z Fold 8 Ultra – F976NKSU1AZGI / F976USQU1AZGI

Samsung is shipping its new Galaxy devices with Seamless Updates support. It significantly reduces the downtime while installing a firmware update, as most of the process completes without powering off the device.

Source – Greggles TV

One UI 9 Update Rollout

Samsung may keep the Stable One UI 9 update restricted to its new foldable phones for a specific period, which could be anything between weeks and months.

The public rollout begins on August 7, the date when the Z8 series goes on sale. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 series is gearing up to receive the fifth Beta firmware update in August.

Samsung also plans to expand the Beta Program in August 2026. Galaxy S25 series is ready to make the jump, while the Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 may also be preparing for their turn.

• Here’s every new feature in Samsung One UI 9.0 full experience [12+]