Headline

These 5 Popular Gadgets Are Much Closer to Losing Software Support Than Their Owners Probably Realize

Key Facts

• Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ owners will stop receiving new Android OS versions after One UI 8.0 with Android 16, though security updates are promised until early 2027.
• Google Pixel 6, released in October 2021, has a five-year support window that ends in October 2026 for major OS and security updates; Play system and app updates continue.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic received their final software update in August 2026 after four generations of support, but the watches continue to work.
• Several older iPads will not receive iPadOS 27, including the 8th-generation iPad from 2020, the 5th-generation iPad mini, the 3rd-generation iPad Air from 2019, and the 1st-generation iPad Pro from 2018.
• Windows 10 reached official end of life in October 2025, but Extended Security Updates can extend protection to October 12, 2027, through a free Microsoft account backup option, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a $30 payment.
• First- and second-generation Nest thermostats have lost remote control through the app and web, although local operation continues; only third- and fourth-generation models retain remote control support.

Software support is one of the least visible parts of owning a gadget. A phone, tablet, watch, computer, or smart-home device can feel fast and useful on the day it is bought, then gradually lose access to new features, security patches, and connected services. The hardware may still turn on, but the software that makes it valuable can be retired on a schedule that owners rarely think about. For devices that were once flagship products, that transition can be especially jarring because the purchase price suggested a long useful life. In practice, the support clock starts on day one, and it does not stop when a device still feels adequate.

The issue affects products across price ranges and categories. Some companies publish clear end-of-life dates, while others quietly remove features or stop delivering updates. The result is a patchwork of deadlines that owners must track. The five categories below are useful examples because they include phones, a wearable, tablets, a desktop operating system, and a smart thermostat. Each shows a different way that software support ends: new OS versions stop, security patches stop, feature updates stop, extended support becomes a paid or account-linked option, or a cloud-dependent feature is switched off entirely.

Why Software Support Ends

Companies do not usually end support because a device suddenly stops working. They end it because maintaining software for older hardware becomes expensive and complex. Every security patch must be tested against multiple chips, screen sizes, battery designs, and carrier requirements. Every new OS version must be made compatible with older drivers and components. Engineers must keep build systems running, certification labs active, and update servers online. Those costs continue for years after the sale, even though the manufacturer may earn no further revenue from the device.

There is also a business incentive to move customers to newer products. New phones and tablets support new features, higher performance, and fresh marketing cycles. When a company supports older hardware for a long time, it earns trust and keeps users in its ecosystem. When it ends support too early, it can frustrate loyal buyers. The balance is different for each company and product line. Apple is often praised for long support windows, Samsung has improved its update commitments, Google ties support to its Pixel release cycle, and Microsoft has to manage an installed base of hundreds of millions of Windows PCs. Smart-home devices add another layer because their key features often depend on cloud services that cost money to run.

Samsung Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6

The Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ are examples of once-flagship phones that are now near the end of their update road. Samsung promised four years of new Android OS updates and five years of security updates. The S22 series has received updates through One UI 8.0 with Android 16, which means owners have seen most of the software features found on newer Galaxy phones. That is a strong run for a device that launched years earlier. The catch is that the OS upgrade path is now effectively finished. Security updates are expected to continue until early 2027, but after that the phone will no longer receive the patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

For many owners, the security cutoff is more important than the loss of new features. A phone that no longer receives security patches can still make calls, send messages, take photos, and run apps. But it may be exposed to known flaws that are fixed on newer devices. People who use their phone for banking, email, password managers, work accounts, or sensitive personal data have to weigh convenience against risk. Some owners may keep using the phone as a media player, camera, or backup device. Others may stop using it for sensitive tasks once the patches end. The S22 is a good reminder that a device can feel fast and modern while its security support window is closing.

The Google Pixel 6 faces a similar deadline. Google promised five years of support from the phone's October 2021 release. That means major OS updates and security updates are set to end in October 2026. Owners will continue to receive Google Play system updates and app updates, which can deliver some improvements and fixes, but those are not the same as full security patches for the device firmware. The Pixel 6 was an important phone for Google because it introduced the Tensor chip and a new design direction. It still has a capable camera and a clean Android experience. But owners who want to keep receiving full protection should plan for an upgrade around the end of the support window.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic have already reached the end of their software update cycle. Samsung promised four generations of software updates, and that promise has been fulfilled. The final update arrived in August 2026. The watches will continue to work, and existing features should remain available, but owners should not expect new features, new OS versions, or new security patches. A smartwatch often holds health data, notifications, payment credentials, and location information, so the loss of security updates matters even if the watch still tells time and tracks workouts.

Wearables are particularly dependent on phone integration and companion apps. Even after the watch itself stops receiving updates, the phone app may continue to receive updates for a while. That can create a confusing situation where some parts of the experience improve while the watch firmware remains frozen. Owners may find that newer phone models or newer versions of the companion software work less smoothly with the older watch. The Galaxy Watch 4 was a popular device because it brought Wear OS collaboration and strong fitness tracking. Its end-of-support date shows that even a well-supported wearable has a finite software life.

Older iPads

Apple devices generally hold their value well because Apple supports older hardware for many years. iPhones and iPads often receive new versions of iOS or iPadOS for five to seven years, and some iPad Pro models have received even longer windows. Security updates can extend another two to four years after the last major OS release. That is a long runway compared with many Android devices. But it is not infinite. A whole generation of iPads will not receive iPadOS 27, which includes new Siri AI features and other visual and performance improvements.

The models affected include the base iPad 8th generation from 2020, the 5th generation iPad mini, the 3rd generation iPad Air from 2019, and the 1st generation iPad Pro from 2018. These tablets will remain useful for reading, streaming, browsing, and light productivity. They may continue to receive security updates for some time. But they will not get the new features that arrive with iPadOS 27. For buyers who use an iPad as a primary computer, the loss of new features can matter more than for people who use it mainly for media consumption. For schools and businesses with fleets of older iPads, the end of OS updates can create app compatibility problems over time.

Windows 10 PCs

Windows 10 reached official end of life in October 2025. That is a massive transition because hundreds of millions of computers still run the operating system. Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates, or ESU, to extend protection to October 12, 2027. Owners can enroll at no cost by syncing settings to a Microsoft account through Windows Backup. They can also use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or pay $30. The ESU program is a bridge, not a permanent solution. It provides security patches but does not turn Windows 10 into a fully supported platform with new features.

Some users have looked for workarounds to keep Windows 10 running longer. One option involves Microsoft's Long-Term Servicing Channel, which can provide updates until 2032. That route is not intended for typical consumer PCs. It requires a clean install of a stripped-down version of Windows and may create compatibility issues with drivers, apps, and management tools. For most people, the practical choices are to upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware supports it, buy a new PC, or enroll in ESU for temporary protection. The Windows 10 deadline is a useful example of how a software end-of-life date can force hardware decisions across an entire industry.

Nest Thermostats

First- and second-generation Nest thermostats have already lost remote control through the app and web. The thermostats continue to work locally, so owners can still adjust temperature at the device. But the connected features that made the product appealing are no longer available. Remote control is often the main reason people buy a smart thermostat. It allows them to change the temperature from bed, from the airport, or from another room. When that feature is removed, the device becomes much closer to a conventional thermostat with a nicer display.

Owners who are considering a used Nest thermostat should be careful. Only third- and fourth-generation models are still supported for remote control. A used first- or second-generation unit may be cheap, but it will not deliver the full smart-home experience. The Nest example also shows how acquisitions and changing business priorities can affect product support. A company that once sold a product as a standalone device may later integrate it into a broader platform and decide that older models no longer fit the roadmap. Early adopters can lose features even when the hardware itself is still functional.

What Owners Can Do

The first step is to check the support timeline for any device you rely on. Manufacturers often publish end-of-life dates, security update policies, and feature update commitments. Owners should note when major OS updates end, when security patches end, and whether any connected features depend on cloud services. A phone that stops getting OS updates may still be safe for a while if security patches continue. A smart-home device that loses cloud support may lose its most important features immediately.

The second step is to separate security risk from feature loss. Not every device needs the latest OS. A tablet used only for streaming may remain useful for years after its last major update. A phone used for banking and email is a different story. Owners should move sensitive accounts off devices that no longer receive security patches, or plan to replace those devices before the patches stop. For Windows 10 PCs, ESU can provide a temporary buffer. For older iPads, security updates may continue even after iPadOS 27 is unavailable. For the Galaxy Watch 4, the hardware may continue to work, but owners should not expect new protections.

The third step is to factor support into the purchase price. A cheaper device with a short support window may cost more over time than a more expensive device with a long support window. Buyers who plan to keep a device for many years should favor models with clear, long commitments from manufacturers that are likely to remain in business and honor those commitments. The newest generation is not always necessary, but it usually starts the support clock later. For owners of early Nest thermostats, the remote-control cutoff is already a reality, and it illustrates how a product can remain physically functional while losing the connected features that made it valuable.

Source:MakeUseOf News