No more updates: Samsung ends software support for the Galaxy S8 and S8+

Samsung released the Galaxy S8 and S8+ back in 2017. Four years later, the Korean company has finally pulled the plug on the devices, by ending all software support for what will now be considered legacy smartphones.

Samsung commits to four years of updates in total for its flagship phones. For the S8 and S9 lineups, it's defined as two major updates, followed by a year of monthly patches, then by a fourth year of only quarterly patches. The Galaxy S8 and S8+ had been the recipients of those quarterly patches for a while now, but even those will now cease. 

It's important to note, however, that the S8 Active and S8 Lite continue to receive Samsung's attention. For now, at least. We expect support for the S8 Active to end around September, as it was released six months after the S8 and S8+. Likewise the Galaxy Note 8. The S8 Lite is already on a bi-annual update schedule.

We don't expect there to be a lot of Galaxy S8 owners at this point, but now would be a good time to switch up to something newer. The Galaxy S10 series, for example, still receives monthly security patches and will get Android 12. Good option for those looking for a cheap upgrade.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10+ on Amazon.