Samsung is still updating the Galaxy S8 and Note 8, nearly a decade after launch
Samsung has released an unexpected software update for the nearly decade-old Galaxy S8 and Note 8 devices. The update does not include new security patches or Android version upgrades, leaving the purpose of the release unclear.
Why it matters
It highlights the rare practice of manufacturers providing maintenance for legacy hardware long after official support has ended, potentially for critical infrastructure or GPS stability.
Samsung has pushed a new software update to the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 8. All three phones came out in 2017. All three stopped receiving official software support around 2021.
Samsung's own firmware documentation lists build G950FXXUCDZE7 for the Galaxy S8 and G955FXXUCDZE9 for the Galaxy S8+, both dated 13 August 2026. The Galaxy Note 8 build, N950FXXUGDZEA, is dated 30 July 2026.
The changelog Samsung published for all three is a single sentence: "Device behavior has been improved."
What the update actually does, and does not, contain
It does not upgrade Android. The S8, S8+ and Note 8 all remain on Android 9 Pie, the version they were last upgraded to in early 2019.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in