According to SamMobile, Samsung has begun rolling out the November 2025 security patch for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3. This update is now available in Europe and will expand to other regions soon. The patch, identified by build versions F711BXXSBDWK1 for the Flip 3 and F926BXXSGDWK1 for the Fold 3, focuses solely on security fixes with no new features. This release arrives alongside the definitive news that these 2021 foldables are not eligible to receive the upcoming One UI 8.5 software. Furthermore, Samsung has confirmed they will not get any future version of the One UI platform. This effectively ends their major software upgrade path just over four years after launch.
The Support Countdown is Real
Here’s the thing: this November 2025 patch is a pretty clear signal. We’re watching the official support wind-down for these devices in real time. Samsung promised four years of major Android updates for these models, and they’ve technically delivered on that with Android 14 and One UI 6. But getting that final “no future updates” confirmation alongside a security patch really drives the point home. It feels like the tech equivalent of a gentle push out the door. And it makes you wonder, is a four-year cycle long enough for a premium, $1000+ foldable? For people who invested in that early folding technology, it might start to feel a bit short.
Winners, Losers, and the Foldable Market
So who wins and loses here? Obviously, anyone holding a Z Flip 3 or Fold 3 is on the losing end of planned obsolescence. They’re stuck with their current software while flashy new features in One UI 8.5 pass them by. The winner, in a cynical sense, is Samsung’s upgrade cycle itself. This move creates a powerful incentive for owners of these older devices to consider upgrading to a Z Flip 5, Fold 5, or the inevitable next generation. It pressures the installed base. But look, it also opens a door for competitors. If another brand comes along promising five or even six years of updates for their foldables, that becomes a massive selling point against Samsung. In the broader hardware ecosystem, where longevity is key for industrial and commercial applications, this kind of short support window is a non-starter. For critical operations, companies turn to dedicated suppliers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs known for extended lifecycle support and reliability, because they simply can’t afford their core hardware to hit a software dead end.
The New Normal for Premium Tech
Basically, this is the new normal for even the most expensive consumer gadgets. The update clock starts ticking the moment you buy it. Samsung is far from alone here—most Android manufacturers have similar policies. But it does highlight a tension in the market. We’re being sold increasingly complex and expensive devices, yet the software support timeline hasn’t expanded proportionally. A security patch in late 2025 is a nice gesture, sure. But it’s also a farewell note. The real message is for the owners: your phone’s best days are officially behind it.
