Many users think that a smartphone's life ends when its battery weakens or its screen is damaged, but the truth is that every Android phone has an "expiration date" determined by the manufacturer even before the device is launched.

This date is not about the phone's physical condition, but rather when the company stops issuing security updates for it, known as End of Life (EOL) or "end of support cycle".

Once the phone reaches this stage, it will continue to work normally, but it becomes more vulnerable to cyberattacks and security vulnerabilities over time, according to a report published by SlashGear and seen by Al Arabiya Business.

Why does support vary among Android phones?

Unlike iPhones, which follow a unified policy from Apple, the Android system relies on dozens of manufacturers, so the support duration varies from one company to another.

Some leading companies offer longer support periods, such as:

- Google: Up to 7 years of updates for modern Pixel phones.

- Samsung: Up to 7 years for some of its flagship phones.

- OnePlus: Up to 6 years of security updates for its flagship phones like the OnePlus 15.

In contrast, some other companies still offer shorter support, which may be limited to three years or less.

How do you know if your phone has ended support?

You can find out the latest security update your phone received through the following steps:

Settings > About phone > Software information > Android security patch level.

If approximately a year has passed without any new security update, it is likely that the phone has left the official support period.

But the more accurate method is to check the official support page of the manufacturer, where companies like Google, Samsung, Motorola, and OnePlus publish tables showing the support duration for each phone.

You can also use the website endoflife.date, which provides a database showing the end-of-support date for most Android phones, after entering the model name found in the About phone section.

Can a phone receive an update after support ends?

Yes, but it happens in rare cases.

For example, in 2022 Samsung sent an update to fix a GPS issue for several phones that had ended support years ago, including the Galaxy S8.

But these cases are exceptional and do not mean continued official support.

Why should you care about the end-of-support date?

The phone relies on two types of updates:

1- Android system updates

These add new features, such as upgrading to Android 17.

Usually, the cessation of these updates does not directly cause the phone or apps to stop working, as most apps, including Google Play and Google Pay, continue to work for years.

2- Security updates

These are the most important because they address vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit to break into the phone or steal data.

For example, Samsung's security update for June 2026 alone fixed 45 security vulnerabilities, some classified as critical, which could have allowed attackers to bypass the lock screen or execute malicious commands remotely.

Should you replace the phone as soon as support ends?

Not necessarily, as the phone will continue to work normally.

But if you use it for banking services, or store personal data or important work files, continuing to use a device that no longer receives security updates gradually increases the risk of hacking.

Therefore, experts advise checking the support policy before buying any new phone, and not focusing only on specifications and price, because the years of updates have become one of the most important factors that determine the true lifespan of the phone.

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