Samsung Galaxy S6
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until April 2018 · Buy-by April 2016
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy S6 should be supported until around April 2018. Buying it today still gets you about -8.2 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 phone that gave Samsung flagships their glass-and-metal soul, now a decade past its last patch.
Pros
- Still-gorgeous QHD Super AMOLED panel
- Premium glass-and-metal build that aged well
- Fast 15W wired and wireless charging built in
Cons
- Software support ended years ago with no path forward
- Sealed 2550mAh battery is small and likely degraded
- No microSD slot or removable battery
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 5.1-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 | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB / 64GB / 128GB |
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 | 2,550 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired, Qi/PMA wireless (microUSB) |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 143.4 × 70.5 × 6.8 mm |
| Weight | 138 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 5.0.2 with TouchWiz at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microUSB, 3.5mm jack |
| 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 S6 get updates?
It will not. The Galaxy S6 stopped receiving Android and security updates around 2018 after Android 7 Nougat, so it has been unsupported for years.
Can the Galaxy S6 still run modern apps?
Many newer apps drop support for its old Android 7 base, and some banking and payment apps refuse to install. Expect a shrinking pool of compatible software.
Is the Galaxy S6 safe to use as a daily driver in 2026?
Not for anything sensitive. With no security patches since 2018, it is best limited to offline or low-risk Wi-Fi use.
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.