Samsung regularly releases security updates for a lot of Galaxy phones and tablets, with most devices getting security updates for at least three years after they first hit retail shelves. And as time goes by, Samsung reduces the frequency of updates for some devices before eventually ending support for them altogether.
Samsung usually reveals what devices have had their access to security updates or downgraded when it details the latest monthly security patch. The company published information on the October 2023 patch earlier today, and this time, a few devices have been downgraded from a quarterly to a biannual schedule while some will no longer get any updates at all.
In the latter category, the most prominent device is the Galaxy Tab S6. The 5G variant of the Galaxy Tab S6 and the Tab S6 Lite will continue to get updates, but the Wi-Fi/LTE models won't. Samsung has also revoked support for the Galaxy A90 5G, a high-end A series phone that had a limited launch a few years back, along with the Galaxy M10s and Galaxy M30s, two budget phones that launched in late 2019.
Devices that have been downgraded to fewer updates include the Galaxy A03s, Galaxy M32, Galaxy M32 5G, and Galaxy F42 5G. All four phones will get two security updates in 12 months going forward, after which it will be the end of the road for all of them. That's unless a major security flaw that must be fixed is identified in those devices, though that's not something that happens too often.
