Samsung ends S21 updates; S22 moved to quarterly

• Galaxy S21 series will no longer receive One UI software updates as of Samsung’s February 2026 roadmap.
• Galaxy S22 series moves from regular updates to a quarterly cadence; a 2022 premium phone and an FE model were also demoted.
• Samsung published February 2026 patch details and a revised rollout roadmap reflecting these support changes.

What changed in Samsung’s February 2026 One UI roadmap

Samsung released its February 2026 patch details alongside an updated One UI software rollout roadmap. The company removed its 2021 flagship lineup from the update list, meaning the Galaxy S21 series will no longer receive software updates.

Samsung also changed the update cadence for some 2022 phones. The Galaxy S22 series has been moved to a quarterly update schedule, and Samsung demoted one of its 2022 premium phones along with a Fan Edition (FE) model from the regular update track.

Why this matters to owners

Changing a device’s update status affects security patch frequency, new features, and compatibility with apps over time. Devices that stop receiving updates can still work fine, but they become more vulnerable to unpatched security issues and may miss out on important One UI improvements.

For buyers and resellers, the roadmap shift also changes secondhand value. Phones that lose official update support typically see faster depreciation and reduced appeal to users who prioritize long-term software security.

What owners should do now

Check your device: owners of Galaxy S21 models should verify their phone’s update history and apply the February 2026 patch if it’s the final release for their device. Back up important data regularly and enable built-in security features like Samsung Knox and Find My Mobile.

If you own a Galaxy S22 device, expect fewer feature updates and a slower cadence for security patches going forward. Consider whether you need to upgrade to a currently supported model if you rely on prompt security fixes or the latest One UI features.

What to expect next

Samsung’s roadmap changes reflect a broader industry trend of tightening formal support windows as hardware ages. The company is prioritizing newer devices for feature development while moving older models to reduced or ended update schedules.

Samsung will publish future monthly or quarterly patch notes and roadmap updates; owners should monitor official Samsung communications for precise patch content and any extended-security options that may be announced.