Samsung Galaxy Note5
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until August 2018 · Buy-by August 2016
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy Note5 should be supported until around August 2018. Buying it today still gets you about -7.8 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
The S Pen flagship that traded a removable battery for glass elegance, long since out of support.
Pros
- Integrated S Pen with handy note features
- Premium glass-and-metal build with 4GB RAM
- Fast wired and wireless charging
Cons
- No software or security updates since around 2018
- Dropped the removable battery and microSD slot
- Sealed 3000mAh battery is likely worn
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 5.7-inch Super AMOLED, 1440 x 2560 (QHD), 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 7420 Octa |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB / 64GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 16MP |
| front | 5MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 3,000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired, Qi/PMA wireless (microUSB) |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 153.2 × 76.1 × 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 171 g |
| Materials | Glass front and back, aluminum frame |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 5.1.1 with TouchWiz at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microUSB, 3.5mm jack, S Pen |
| Update policy | ~2 years of updates (our estimate from Samsung's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the Galaxy Note5 get updates?
Its update window ended around 2018 after Android 7 Nougat. There have been no security patches for years.
Does the Galaxy Note5 still come with an S Pen?
Yes, the Note5 includes a spring-loaded S Pen housed in the body, and the stylus features still work even though the phone is unsupported.
Can the Note5 battery be replaced?
Not easily. Unlike earlier Notes, the Note5 has a sealed glass back, so battery replacement requires opening the device with heat and tools.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.