There are a couple of things you can do, if you own a Galaxy S20 series device, and we're going to explore each one of them. Let's get to the obvious one first.
Should Galaxy S20 users upgrade?
The Galaxy A56 will get you in the AI game for not a lot of money
If you're still rocking a Galaxy S20 device, it's probably time to think about upgrading your phone. Samsung will still give you about $155 in trade-in credits for your old device, and you can get either the new S25 or opt for the Galaxy A56, which is an excellent bang for your buck and still faster and more advanced than your Galaxy S20 series.
There's an option to get the Galaxy S24 FE as well if you want to stay in the S-camp but still save some money.
Software updates are important and Samsung started its seven-year support cycle last year with the Galaxy S24, which brings us to the second option.
Buy a second hand/refurbished Galaxy S24
There are discounts on the previous model, and you can always go second-hand as well | Image by PhoneArena
Buying a second-hand Galaxy S24 device technically also counts as "upgrading" but you'll reap many benefits by going one generation back. The Galaxy S24 features will be supported for seven years, and given the model is just one year old, you'll get six more years out of it, and also at a very attractive price.
You can keep using your Galaxy S20, just be careful! | Image by PhoneArena
For all of you that love your current phone and don't want to upgrade, there's a light inside the tunnel. Ending the software support cycle of a device doesn't mean that it will stop working immediately.
Install reputable antivirus software. Your Knox will still work but won't be updated with the latest database of viruses and malware threats. There are free solutions you can use, such as Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Avira, and Norton, just to name a few.
Be careful about downloading apps. Most apps on the Google Play Store are safe, as the company does checkups and sweeps for potentially dangerous apps regularly, but just to be on the safe side, don't install suspicious apps.
Avoid insecure networks. One major security threat is connecting to a free network. Stay on secured Wi-Fi networks, and don't be tempted to latch onto a free one just to check your mail or watch a video if you've run out of data.
Install a custom ROM on your Galaxy S20 phone
OneUI is cool but you can always try a custom ROM on your old phone (thread carefully, though)
You can also try to install a custom ROM on your Galaxy S20, but going down that particular rabbit hole will require patience, energy, time, and a lot of effort. We normally advise people to stay away from rooting their phones and tinkering with custom ROMs, but that's also an option, especially for a phone that no longer receives software updates.
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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