Samsung, a stalwart in the realm of smartphone support, has brought an era to a close with the announcement that the Galaxy Note 10 series will no longer receive updates. This decision marks a significant departure from Samsung’s typical five-year support policy. Launched in 2019, the Galaxy Note 10 series has enjoyed three major OS updates and four years of security updates. However, effective immediately, the Galaxy Note 10 series has reached the conclusion of its software support journey, leaving users without new operating system updates and security patches.
A Shift in Policy
Samsung had previously shifted the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus to a quarterly security update schedule, ensuring that users received security enhancements every three months. Now, in a more drastic move, the South Korean tech giant has opted to terminate software support for the entire Note series, as reported by Sammobile.
When these two remarkable devices were unveiled in 2019, they were powered by Android 9 out of the box. Subsequently, Samsung upgraded them to Android 10 in early 2020. The Android 11 update graced these phones in late 2021, followed by the Android 12 update in late 2022.
The Reality for Note 10 Users
While this announcement may disappoint some Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus users, it’s important to recognize that these smartphones remain fully operational and capable. They will continue to function as they did before, although they may become more susceptible to security risks without the latest security updates. For those who prioritize security, it may be advisable to contemplate upgrading to a newer device that falls within the scope of ongoing software support.
It’s worth noting that the Galaxy Note 10 Lite, introduced in 2020, will continue to receive quarterly security updates, providing a measure of reassurance to its users. As for other models in the Note series, such as the Note 20 Ultra and Note 20, they are slated to receive updates until 2024, albeit without major Android releases on the horizon.
In summary, the conclusion of software support for the Galaxy Note 10 series marks the end of an era for these devices. However, their functionality and capabilities endure, making them viable options for users who choose to continue using them. As users weigh their options, they should remain vigilant about security in the absence of future updates.