Samsung Galaxy S20 Series Receives Unexpected Security Update

Verizon Models Get July 2025 Patch Months After Official Support End

Samsung is surprising users by releasing an additional security update for its Galaxy S20 series, months after officially concluding support for the once flagship devices.

A Surprise Patch for Aging Hardware

The update, identified by build numbers like G981VSQSDHYG2 for the Galaxy S20, G986USQSDHYG2 for the S20+, and G988USQSDHYG2 for the S20 Ultra, brings the July 2025 security patch. This comes as a shock, as the devices were thought to have received their final update with the March 2025 patch.

Currently, the patch is rolling out to customers on Verizon’s network. It is anticipated that other carriers will receive the update in the coming weeks. Details regarding any specific bug fixes or new features beyond security enhancements have not been officially disclosed.

Why the Unforeseen Update?

The reasoning behind Samsung’s decision to issue this patch for a discontinued product line remains unclear. While it’s not entirely unheard of for manufacturers to provide a final, unexpected update, it is a relatively rare occurrence.

For comparison, Google often releases one significant patch for its Pixel devices upon their End-of-Life, sometimes including battery-related fixes. Samsung, as observed with the S20 series, occasionally follows a similar pattern, releasing a final update several months after the official end of its support cycle.

Samsung’s Evolving Support Commitment

The Galaxy S20 series, launched in 2020, received a full five years of software support. However, Samsung’s support commitment has significantly improved since then. Newer devices, such as the Galaxy S25 lineup, are now promised seven years of both OS upgrades and security patch support, aligning with Google’s latest policies and industry expectations set by Apple.

Users still relying on their Galaxy S20 devices are advised to install this security update promptly. Such unexpected patches often indicate the resolution of critical vulnerabilities.