Nokia's Last Two Smartphones Are Set To Lose Software Support Soon

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Nokia is the brand behind the best-selling mobile phone of all time, but now it's disappearing from the smartphone arena altogether. The Nokia G310 5G is losing software support on August 24, 2026, and the Nokia XR21 is losing software support on May 24, 2027. These are the last two Nokia smartphones that are actively being supported, and after those respective dates, the lack of updates may make them risky to use.

This isn't the first time Nokia has been shifted out of the phone market. Microsoft purchased Nokia's mobile business after striking a deal in 2013. Then in 2016, the mobile phone company HMD (which was founded in part by former members of Nokia leadership) acquired the license to the Nokia brand for a new lineup of mobile phones. These phones were designed and manufactured by HMD, but bore the familiar Nokia logo. Now, HMD is phasing out the Nokia name in favor of its own HMD-branded smartphone lineup.

HMD isn't who owns Nokia, but it is the company responsible for utilizing the Nokia brand in the mobile device market. These days, Nokia's main business is in telecommunication, networking, and connectivity technology. But for consumers who associate the Nokia name with mobile phone products, the end-of-life of the G310 5G and XR21 smartphones represents the end of an era.

If you're still using one of the Nokia phones that are about to lose software support once and for all, it's probably time to start shopping around for a new alternative. The most natural replacement would be a newer HMD phone, but unfortunately, HMD unceremoniously exited the U.S. market in 2025.

If you're in the United States, your choices are limited to brands that can thrive in a competitive market. Owners say that the most reliable Android phones are typically the ones from Samsung and Google. The Samsung Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 11 are both flagship releases from 2026 that won't steer you wrong if you can get past the sticker price.

Of course, the appeal of Nokia and HMD-branded smartphones has often been their balance of quality and affordability. If you're looking for budget phones that are worth buying in 2026, consider options like the Motorola Moto G, or a midrange Samsung model like the Galaxy A57 5G. These will provide a similar level of quality to what you may be accustomed to if you've been using the Nokia G310 5G or Nokia XR21 phones that are about to lose support soon.