Samsung has improved its software support reputation, but not every tablet gets the same longevity. According to Engadget, 2026 marks the final major Android update for the Galaxy Tab S9, S9+, S9 Ultra, S9 FE, and S9 FE+. Those devices, released in 2023 with a promise of four generations of OS updates and five years of security patches, will receive One UI 9 based on Android 17 and then continue on security-only support until sometime in 2028.
Older models have already reached their final major upgrades. The Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra received their last major OS update with One UI 8 and Android 16, with security patches continuing until February 2027. The budget Galaxy Tab A9 and A9+, despite being released later in 2023, have also received their final major update, likely because they were budget-oriented devices.
Newer Samsung tablets are on a different track. The seven-year update policy began with the Galaxy Tab S10 series, and the Tab S11, Tab S12, and even the budget Tab A11 and A11+ carry that commitment. The rugged Galaxy Tab Active5, aimed at business and enterprise customers, comes with four years of OS updates and five years of security updates. Samsung notes that update rollout timing can vary by model and region, so users should check Settings > Software update for availability.