Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will no longer receive monthly security updates

By Jay Bonggolto
published

Galaxy Note9 One UI
Galaxy Note9 One UI (Image credit: Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Samsung has refreshed its update schedule for various lineups of smartphones.
  • The Galaxy Note 9 has been downgraded to a quarterly update schedule as part of the change.
  • Samsung's latest foldable smartphones are now receiving monthly updates.

Samsung has officially removed the Galaxy Note 9 from its monthly security update schedule three years after the phone's launch. This is in line with what Samsung typically does to three-year-old Galaxy smartphones.

This means the Galaxy Note 9 will start receiving security updates every three months moving forward. Samsung announced at its Galaxy Unpacked event last year that it would start releasing three generations of updates to its smartphones along with three years' worth of monthly or quarterly security patches.

Samsung's latest move was noted by Android Police and brings the device a step closer to obsolescence. The quarterly update will last for 12 months, as is usually the case. After that period, the Galaxy Note 9 will be downgraded to a biannual update schedule for another year before it finally loses support.

As part of the latest change to its update schedule, Samsung also ended full support for the Galaxy S8 Lite and the Galaxy Note FE. At the same time, the Galaxy A10s was demoted to a biannual schedule while the Galaxy A03s and Galaxy F42 5G have been dropped to a quarterly update schedule.

On the other hand, Samsung has unsurprisingly added its latest lineup to the monthly support list, including some of the best Android phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 as well as the A52s 5G.

That said, Samsung remains one of the smartphone companies that provide long-term support for its handsets, with up to four years of security updates for all Galaxy devices launched since 2019.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Phantom Silver

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is one of the best foldable phones available right now in the market, sporting a massive 7.6-inch inner screen, well-optimized software, a new Under Display Camera for uninterrupted viewing, and S Pen support for better productivity.

Jay Bonggolto
Jay Bonggolto
News Writer & Reviewer

Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech and apps for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via Twitter or LinkedIn.

3 Comments
  • Does this site get paid to always says samsung is one of the best? Understanding the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 are new and actually untested for any serious period of time?
    "list, including some of the best Android phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 as well as the A52s 5G"
  • Can't believe that the Galaxy Tab S7+ is only receiving Quarterly Security Updates when it was released in August 2020. Wow, Samsung, way to keep the consumer (said in a sarcastic tone).
  • I don't get why Google doesn't separate out security updates. They shouldn't be in control of the manufacturer or the carrier. They should have their own setting in the update setting and pushed via Google. Age of the device shouldn't matter. Android version shouldn't matter. We're how far removed from my HTC Hero, Evo 4g and Samsung Moment? The fact security updates are a thing in regards to how long you'll get them is a joke. But then again, so is Samsung at this point. Still sucking at Apple's teet, taking advantage of every feature pullback they do. No 3.5 jack. No storage card. No flat screens on premium devices. No more ant+. And most likely no more silo'd pen based phones. With that in mind, Moto needs to add USI to its phones. I'd gladly leave my Note behind then. Rant over.