29 phones to avoid buying this Prime Day for the exact same reason — and which models to consider instead

Yes, it’s here again: Amazon Prime Day is upon us, meaning now is as good a time as any to pick up a top-end smartphone for a lower price than usual.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

I’ll be spending this week recommending the best phones for all budgets and use cases, but it’s also important to acknowledge the devices you should actively avoid spending your hard-earned money on this Prime Day — even if they’re the subject of some seemingly hard-to-resist discounts.

You see, smartphones don’t live forever. All manufacturers drop software support for older models as their popularity diminishes and newer software features become more complex, leaving unsupported devices feeling outdated and more vulnerable to security threats.

That’s why, in this guide, I’ve rounded up 29 iPhones and Android phones that aren’t guaranteed to receive further updates beyond 2026. In each section, I’ve also noted the models you should consider buying this Prime Day instead.

I’ve limited this roundup to phones available in the US (namely, devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola), but you can find specific software support information for whatever model you’re considering on its manufacturer’s website.

And for an even more detailed picture of the current software support landscape, check out our phone update support explainer.

iPhones

Apple supplies iPhones with a minimum of five years of software updates, but it typically extends that commitment for up to two additional years. As such, the iPhones listed below may well continue to receive updates beyond 2026, but there’s also a chance that they get left behind after iOS 27 drops in September.

iPhone 13 — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)

iPhone 13 Pro — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)

iPhone 13 Pro Max — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)

iPhone 13 mini — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)

iPhone 12 — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)

iPhone 12 Pro — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)

iPhone 12 Pro Max — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)

iPhone 12 mini — 0-2 years (last update in 2026, 2027, or 2028)

iPhone 11 — final update will probably be this year with iOS 27

iPhone 11 Pro — final update will probably be this year with iOS 27

iPhone 11 Pro Max — final update will probably be this year with iOS 27

iPhone SE (2020) — final update will probably be this year with iOS 27

As for which iPhones you should consider buying instead, I’d recommend going for an iPhone 15 or upwards, since these devices will be supported until at least 2028.

Android phones

Android manufacturers are more rigid in their software support commitments than Apple, meaning we know exactly when Samsung, Google, and Motorola phones will stop receiving updates.

Samsung Galaxy A54 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Samsung Galaxy A34 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Samsung Galaxy S23 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Samsung Galaxy M54 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Google Pixel 6 — final update this year (2026)

Google Pixel 6 Pro — final update this year (2026)

Motorola Edge 50 Pro — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Motorola Edge 50 Ultra — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Motorola Razr 50 / Razr 2024 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Motorola Razr 50 Ultra / Razr Plus 2024 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2028

Moto G86 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2029

Moto G56 — final Android update this year (2026), final security patch in 2029

As for which Android phones you should consider buying instead, I’d recommend going for anything the same age or newer than the Galaxy S24, Galaxy A56, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Google Pixel 8, Google Pixel 7a, and Motorola Edge 60. Any of those devices will see you through to 2028 with ease.

More Prime Day deals in the US

Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18

Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99

Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29

Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools

Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99

Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99

Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung

Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199

Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186

Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99

Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing

Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial

Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99

Amazon Haul: up to 30% off

Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch

Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal

Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B

Essentials: household goods from £5

Fans: from £20

Fashion: up to 50% off

Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5

Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony

Laptops: from £149

Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99

Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies

TVs: from £129.99

Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock

Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

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Axel is TechRadar's Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site's Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.

Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.