The Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra have officially reached the end of their software support lifecycle. Five years after their launch, Samsung is pulling the plug on regular updates, marking the final farewell for the once-flagship Note series.
Galaxy Note 20 support quietly expires after a five-year promise
Samsung launched the Note 20 lineup in August 2020, promising five years of software support. That pledge included three major Android updates ending with Android 13 and continued security patches through 2025.
But as of this week, those updates are done. No more monthly or quarterly security patches, and no more One UI tweaks. The last meaningful update arrived with One UI 5.1 in early 2023. While a surprise patch isn’t out of the question (like the Galaxy S20’s in July), Samsung has officially moved on.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 series launches with Galaxy AI, refined hardware, and AMOLED displays built to rival the iPad Pro.
No true successor to Galaxy Note 20, but alternatives exist
The Note brand itself was discontinued back in 2021, but the Note 20 Ultra in particular remained a favorite for fans of the built-in S Pen and slab-style form factor.
If you’re still using one, Samsung would probably nudge you toward the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which carries the S Pen legacy forward in a more modern shell. For Note loyalists, it’s the closest thing to a spiritual successor.
Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 reach software end-of-life, too
The Note 20 isn’t the only device losing support. Samsung has also ended updates for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, both launched in 2021 with Android 11. They received four major OS updates, topping out at Android 15 with One UI 7.
Unlike the Note 20, these foldables are exiting the support cycle with the latest Android version installed, so there’s no immediate pressure to upgrade unless performance starts slipping.
Still, if you’re eyeing something newer, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Pixel 10 Pro Fold offer substantial improvements in durability, cameras, and multitasking tools.
Galaxy Note 20 era ends with quiet dignity
The Note series helped define an era of big phones, stylus-driven productivity, and high-end features ahead of their time. Its departure isn’t sudden, but it is final.
For those still holding onto the Note 20, now might be the moment to let go. The pen that started it all has finally run dry.
