Samsung has recently set a new standard for long-term software support within its product lineup. Following the introduction of the Galaxy S24 series, the tech giant announced that select phones would benefit from seven (7) years of software updates, including both operating system (OS) upgrades and security patches. The South Korean company has now taken a step further for its Enterprise Edition devices, offering an even longer period of support.
Starting with tablet models launched in 2024 and beyond, Samsung is promising an unprecedented eight (8) years of OS and security updates support. As of now, this extended support applies solely to the Galaxy Tab Active5, which debuted back in January. However, it’s expected that future Enterprise Edition tablets will also receive the same level of support.
When it comes to Enterprise Edition smartphones, such as the S24 EE and Galaxy Xcover7, Samsung has committed to seven years of software support, aligning with the support duration offered for the consumer-oriented S24 series. It’s worth noting that upon their initial release, both the Tab Active and the Xcover were guaranteed only four OS updates and five years of support.
This groundbreaking news was announced through LinkedIn by a Samsung executive based in the Netherlands. While it remains uncertain if consumer-grade tablets will see similar extended support, the current trend suggests that it could be possible. Galaxy S flagship phones, including upcoming models, already enjoy the seven-year support timeline matched by the Xcover. The main concern lies with tablets, including high-end variants like the Galaxy Tab S9 series, which currently are limited to four (4) OS updates and five (5) years of security patches.
The question now is whether upcoming tablet series, such as the anticipated Galaxy Tab S10, will see an increase to seven or possibly even eight years of software support. Samsung has yet to announce any changes, but the potential for longer support periods is likely on the horizon for their tablet offerings.