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Every new Android phone released into the market has a shelf life when it comes to software and security updates. Even if you buy the latest flagship phone from one of the major Android manufacturers, your new device won’t always be supported. In fact, you usually only have a few years to enjoy the device before it reaches its end of life. Some of the best software update companies include Google and Samsung, which offer seven years of major Android updates, but that’s not always the case for all Android brands. That said, since companies release smartphones every year, many Android phones are expected to officially stop receiving software or security updates in 2026.
If you own one of these phones, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to start shopping for a new smartphone, because using a phone with outdated software is a security risk. For each phone we’ve listed, we also discuss the different alternatives you should consider when you need to upgrade, to save you from having to search through dozens of pages on company websites or e-commerce websites in search of the perfect model.
Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
Google officially launched the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro on October 28, 2021. At the time, Google had not yet upgraded its software update policy to the current policy, which offers seven years of software and security updates. Instead, the company promised to deliver five years of major Android operating system (OS) and security updates from the day the duo was available for purchase in the United States. Considering the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro launched with Android 12 on board, the duo is expected to receive Android 17 as the last major OS update. Considering the phone’s US availability date, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will no longer receive support in October 2026.
If you’re still using the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro and want to buy another phone, you can’t go wrong with one of Google’s latest Pixel series phones. You’ve probably been using a Pixel phone for years and enjoy the software and hardware experience. If you want a phone that won’t be obsolete anytime soon, you should consider the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, or 10 Pro XL. You can also consider other older Android phones that are still worth buying, like the Pixel 8 Pro, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on your upgrade.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
Another Android phone that will no longer receive updates in 2026 is the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). As the name suggests, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) was released three years ago, in June 2023. Featuring a 6.6-inch FHD+ IPS LCD panel and a pen-shaped stylus, the phone launched with Android 13 out of the box, and Motorola only promised one major Android update (version 14) along with three years of Android updates. security. Since its release in June 2023, official support for this phone ends at the end of June 2026, as it marks three years since its launch.
If you are still using the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) at present, you can consider various alternatives. To recall, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) was launched at a starting price of $399. Given its starting price in the US, some of the alternatives you can consider for an upgrade include the Moto G Stylus 2026, which is perfect if you prioritize a stylus with your phone. Another great alternative is the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, especially if you want an affordable phone with decent performance.
OnePlus 10T
If you own a OnePlus 10T that you bought when the company unveiled the device in 2022, this is the year you should finally upgrade. Indeed, the OnePlus 10T will officially reach its end of life in 2026. Launched in August 2022, the OnePlus 10T comes with OxygenOS 13, based on Android 12. This phone was supposed to receive three major Android updates and four years of security updates from the official launch day. As a result, the device will stop receiving updates in August 2026, according to the company’s update policy. If you use the OnePlus 10T as your daily driver, there are plenty of options to consider on the market.
Since this phone launched at a starting price of $649 in the US, several phones have been great buys and are selling for around the same price, or even less than the MSRP of the OnePlus 10T. If you need a phone from the same company, the OnePlus 15R is the perfect alternative with a slightly larger screen, almost 1.5 times the battery capacity and double the memory and storage in the base configuration. Plus, it starts at just $700, which is just $50 more than the OnePlus 10T’s launch price. You can also consider Samsung’s Galaxy A57 5G or Galaxy S25 FE from 2025.
Sony Xperia 5V
Unlike big companies like Samsung, Sony doesn’t produce as many phones. The Sony Xperia 5 V was among the few phones released by the company in 2023 and is yet another Android phone that will no longer receive support this year. The Xperia 5 V was praised for its camera prowess when it was released, but if you’ve been using it as your daily driver since launch, you’ll definitely need to upgrade to a newer phone that will be updated beyond 2026. That’s because the Sony Xperia 5 V is expected to reach its end of life on August 1, 2026. After that date, the company will officially stop sending over-the-air security updates to the phone.
The Xperia 5 V launched with Android 13 out of the box, and Sony updated it to Android 14 and then 15, which was its last major OS update. Launching at a starting price of just over $1,000, alternatives to the Sony Xperia 5 V include the Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, OnePlus 15, and Pixel 10 Pro. The Xperia 5 V isn’t the only Sony phone to reach its end of life in 2026. As of this writing, two other Sony phones launching in 2023 – the Xperia 1 V and the Xperia 10 V – reached their end of life on the first day of May and June respectively.
Motorola Edge (2023)
Another phone in Motorola’s 2023 lineup that will no longer receive updates in 2026 is the Motorola Edge (2023). This phone was launched in October 2023 with a starting price of $600, and under the hood, it ran Android 13. Upon release, Motorola promised to provide the device with two years of operating system updates as well as three years of security updates. With this in mind, the company will officially stop sending updates to this phone at the end of September this year. That said, if you’re still using a Motorola Edge (2023), impending end of life is one of the clear signs that it’s time to buy a new phone.
Some of the phones that you can consider while shopping for a new device in the market include the Pixel 10a, Pixel 10, and Samsung Galaxy A57 5G. All of these phones are priced close to the starting price of the Motorola Edge (2023). If you need to get another phone from Motorola, you can consider the direct successor, the Motorola Edge (2026). The Motorola Edge (2026) starts at $600, similar to the previous Edge, so it’s the perfect alternative.