Samsung ceases support for a crucial phone that transformed the smartphone market.

      Andy Boxall/Digital Trends / Digital Trends

      Samsung has officially ceased support for one of the most significant smartphones in recent years. It’s time to bid farewell to the Samsung Galaxy S20 family as it is removed from the official list of devices eligible for updates.

      The Samsung Galaxy S20 played a crucial role, not only for Samsung but for the overall smartphone industry. It signaled a strategic shift for Samsung with a new naming convention that reflected the year of its release. The device preceding the Galaxy S20 was the Galaxy S10, but instead of launching a Galaxy S11, Samsung opted for a more significant numbering system.

      Additionally, Samsung introduced its first "Ultra" model. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra represented a new class of smartphones, establishing a flagship category that many other brands have since emulated.

      The Galaxy S20 Ultra drew considerable inspiration from the Galaxy S10 5G that preceded it, which had multiple cameras arranged in a long strip across the back that wasn’t aesthetically pleasing. The Galaxy S20 Ultra featured a prominent camera block on the rear – a design validation influenced by the launch of the iPhone 11 Pro in September 2019 – and it was among the first mainstream smartphones to include a periscope telephoto zoom lens.

      While Huawei had introduced the Huawei P30 Pro in 2019 with a 5x periscope camera, Samsung’s announcement of a 100x Space Zoom garnered substantial media attention. The additional inclusion of a 108-megapixel main camera was the cherry on top.

      The Samsung Galaxy S Ultra lineup became the natural successor to the Galaxy Note series when it was discontinued in 2022, incorporating the S Pen with the S22 Ultra – a feature that remains part of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, although its inclusion in future Galaxy S Ultra devices is uncertain, according to rumors.

      John Velasco / Digital Trends

      The Galaxy S20 Ultra was unveiled alongside the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Plus on February 11 in San Francisco, during an event that also introduced the Galaxy Z Flip for the first time. This was one of the last in-person events before the world went into lockdown due to the global pandemic.

      At the time the Galaxy S20 was launched, Samsung’s software update policy promised 5 years of support, but in January 2024, the company increased its commitment to a 7-year update assurance, aligning it with Google’s support for Pixel devices, a policy that has recently been adopted by Honor.

      However, now it’s time to part ways with your Galaxy S20 (if you're still using it), as support has officially ended, and no further updates will be provided. Thankfully, the Galaxy S25 Ultra continues this legacy, offering a large-screen experience, packed with cameras, and maintaining that flagship feel.

      Chris has been writing about consumer tech for over 15 years. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of Pocket-lint, he has covered a wide range of topics...

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