Some older Samsung phones have major vulnerabilities in their chips, so install the latest security patches if your device is affected to make sure you are safe.

Originally reported to Samsung in July by Google security researchers Xingyu Jin and Clement Lecigene and acknowledged earlier this month, a notice from Samsung Semiconductor allows hackers to access your phone's complete system and names several chipsets at risk of certain “privilege escalation” attack techniques. The notice does not reveal which devices it applies to, but an examination of some specifications quickly revealed Samsung products using the chips in question.

The most notable affected models are the Exynos 990-based Galaxy S20 series (including the Galaxy S20 FE) and Galaxy Note 20 series from 2020 onward, and the Exynos 980-based Galaxy S10 series and Galaxy Note 10 series. However, the vulnerability was only found in the Exynos-powered versions of these phones. If you purchased your phone in the U.S., you are likely using a Snapdragon-powered model that is not affected.

This exception does not apply to the cheaper Galaxy A, F, and M models, which typically use the same chips worldwide, although models with the Exynos 9820, 9825, and 850 include the 2020 Galaxy A21, Galaxy A51, and Galaxy A71, 850 chips are also used in later models, including the Galaxy A14 in some markets last year and the Galaxy A13 and A04s in 2022 globally.

Slightly more exotic phones with these chips include the security-focused Galaxy A Quantum (because it uses the Exynos 980) and the Galaxy M and Galaxy F phones, which are only available in certain markets. We should also not forget the Vivo X30 series and the Vivo S6 5G. These are not Samsung phones, but they use Samsung 980 and therefore have the same risks.

It is not only cell phones that are affected: the Galaxy Watch 5 series, Galaxy Watch 4 series, and Galaxy Watch FE all use the Exynos W920 chip, though it is the only wearable-specific silicon on this list, security issues remain.

It is always a good idea to download and install software and security updates for your phone as soon as they become available. However, beware of incoming updates if you own one of these devices, as it is especially important if there is such an issue that could allow hackers unfettered access to your entire phone.

Even if you have installed the software update, if you are still using a Galaxy S10, Galaxy S20, Note 10, or Note 20, it may be time to consider upgrading. These models have not received a full Android update since 2022 and 2023, respectively, so an upgrade would not only provide a full hardware update, but also a full set of software features. In addition, Samsung is now promising seven years of full updates for its latest flagship models, so your new phone will likely last much longer.

If an upgrade looks good to you, check out our best Samsung phone guide for the top options for every budget. Or if you're happy to hold out a little longer, check out our Galaxy S25 rumor hub for all the latest information on Samsung's next flagship phone, which is expected to arrive in January 2025.