The Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ are no longer supported by Samsung. The software that these phones run today — Android 12 and the August 2023 security update — will never be updated, leaving all remaining users vulnerable to security exploits, bugs, and increasingly poor performance. We suggest that you buy a new smartphone within the next six months to avoid any problems (though the Galaxy Note 10 Lite is still good until 2025). Note that the Galaxy S10 series also reached end of life last year.
All Android phones are eligible for security updates, which are developed by Google. But these updates must be scheduled and distributed by a phone’s manufacturer. If an Android phone hasn’t received a security update for several months, it should be deemed unsafe to use, as it may be vulnerable to hackers and malware. This is especially true if you access any sensitive data or banking apps on your phone.
The Galaxy Note 10 launched in 2019, just a few years before Samsung introduced its extended software support policy. New Samsung flagships now receive four years of OS updates and five years of security updates. If you were to purchase a new Galaxy S23, for example, it would not reach end of life until 2028.
Unfortunately, dedicated Galaxy Note customers are now in a bit of a pickle. Samsung’s final Galaxy Note smartphone was the Galaxy Note 20, which launched three years ago. According to Samsung’s Security Update page, the Galaxy Note 20 will receive its final update in 2024. The good news is that Samsung’s S23 Ultra is a spiritual successor to the Note series and has a dedicated S Pen slot—it’s a Galaxy Note by everything but its name.
To reiterate, we suggest replacing your Galaxy Note 10 or Note 10+ within the next six months to avoid newly-discovered software exploits and bugs. If you’re looking for a direct and modern replacement, the Samsung S23 Ultra is your best option, as it has a large screen, an S Pen slot, and the best cameras of any current-generation Samsung device. Those hoping to save a bit of money should try the Galaxy S23 or S23+, and if you’re feeling thrifty, you could always get last year’s Galaxy S22 Ultra (which receives software updates until 2027).
Source: Samsung via Android Central
