I’m a phones expert and I’m warning you not to buy these 13 phones on Black Friday

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Think about the future when buying your next smartphone

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra on top of iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel Fold
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has fewer than two years of major OS updates left (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

Black Friday shopping season is upon us, meaning now is as good a time as any to pick one of the best phones (or best cheap phones) at a discounted price.

We spend a lot of time on TechRadar telling you what products to spend your hard-earned cash on – see my recent piece on the Motorola Edge 60, for example – but we rarely take a moment to tell you what not to buy during sale events like Black Friday.

That’s right, people: all that glitters is not gold.

So, in this guide, I’ve made a list of 13 smartphones you should avoid like the plague over the coming weeks – not because they’re bad products (they’re mostly very good!), but because they won’t be supported by their respective manufacturers for much longer.

And when I say ‘supported’, I’m talking about software updates. You see, smartphones can’t live forever. Or at least, manufacturers choose to drop support for older models as their popularity diminishes and newer software packages become more complex. Can you imagine an iPhone 3GS running iOS 26? It’d be like asking Tiny Tim to bench press 300 lbs.

Now, the models I've picked out below aren’t on that level just yet – and in many cases, they’ll receive one or two more major OS updates, which is worth bearing in mind if you're looking for a low-cost, short-term upgrade.

But if you’re planning on keeping your next phone for more than two years (as you should do), you’re better off choosing a model that’ll remain supported until at least 2028. If not, you can expect your apps to stop working and your security to be compromised sooner rather than later.

Phones to avoid this Black Friday

  • Nothing Phone 2 (no longer expected to receive major OS updates)
  • OnePlus 11 (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2026)
  • iPhone 13 (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • iPhone 13 Pro (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • iPhone 13 mini (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • Google Pixel 7 (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)
  • Google Pixel 7 Pro (expected to stop receiving major OS updates in 2027)

It goes without saying that any devices older than those listed above (the iPhone 12, for instance) should also be avoided this Black Friday, while any successors are likely safe from obsolescence for at least three more years.

Samsung Galaxy S24 hands on handheld back straight white

Samsung improved its update commitment on the Galaxy S24 series (above) (Image credit: Future | Roland Moore-Colyer)

Deals on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, for instance, are worth looking out for over the coming weeks, as are offers on the iPhone 14 and Google Pixel 8 series.

I'll be returning to normal duty and recommending a whole host of worthwhile phone deals from today onwards, so stick with TechRadar for the low-down on the latest discounts. And if you're keen to get ahead of the game, I've included some links to the best sales happening in your region right now below.

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Axel Metz
Axel Metz
Phones Editor

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.

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