Can You Still Use an Old Samsung Galaxy in 2026? S7, S9, Note9 and More

Samsung's Galaxy phones from 2015 to 2018 are some of the best-loved Android phones ever made: the curved-screen S6 edge and S7 edge, the S9 with its headphone jack, and the huge Note9 with its S Pen. Many people still want one, either to replace a phone they loved or to get a flagship for a fraction of today's prices.

So can you still use an old Galaxy day to day in 2026? For most models, yes. Here's what works, what doesn't and which one to pick.

The last Android version for each model

Galaxy	Released	Last Android version
Galaxy S6 / S6 edge	2015	Android 7
Galaxy A5 (2016) / J5 (2016)	2016	Android 7
Galaxy S7 / S7 edge	2016	Android 8
Galaxy S9 / S9+	2018	Android 10
Galaxy Note9	2018	Android 10
Galaxy A6, A7 (2018), A9 (2018), J4+ and J6+	2018	Android 10

The newer the Android version, the more apps will install. That makes the 2018 models (S9, Note9 and the A and J phones) the best choice for everyday use.

Does WhatsApp still work?

Yes, on every phone in the table above. Since 8 September 2026, WhatsApp needs Android 6 or later, and all of these run Android 7 or newer. The one exception in our Retro range is the Galaxy S4 Zoom, which stops at Android 4.4, so treat it as a camera and a collector's piece.

App makers raise their minimum versions from time to time, so if one app is essential, check its Play Store page before you buy.

Banking apps, Google apps and everything else

• Google Play Store, Gmail, Maps and YouTube: work on all of these Galaxys.
• Banking apps: many UK banks now ask for a fairly recent Android version. Some still support Android 10, fewer support Android 7 or 8. Check your bank's app listing or help page first.
• Contactless payments: Google Wallet needs a supported Android version, so check it with your bank too.
• Calls and texts: work on UK networks. If a model doesn't support 4G calling on your network, it makes calls over 2G instead. Our 2G and 3G switch-off guide explains this.
• Security updates: these models no longer get them. Keep apps updated, install apps only from the Play Store, and be careful with links in messages.

Little things people love about old Galaxys

• Headphone jack: every model here has a 3.5mm jack.
• Memory card slot: the S7, S9, Note9 and the A and J models take a microSD card for extra storage. The S6 and S6 edge don't.
• Water resistance: the S7, S9 and Note9 are rated IP68 when new. Older seals can weaken with age, so don't rely on it.
• The S Pen: the Note9's pen doubles as a Bluetooth remote for the camera and slides.

Battery: what to expect

A sealed, never-used Galaxy has had no charge cycles, but its battery is still several years old. A refurbished Galaxy has been used, then tested and graded. Either way, expect a full day of light use rather than heavy all-day gaming. Read our guide to sealed old phones for setup tips.

Our picks

Best all-rounder: Galaxy S9 and S9+

The Galaxy S9 128GB (£449.99) and Galaxy S9+ in Sunrise Gold (£682.99) run Android 10, still have a headphone jack and take a memory card. Both are brand new old stock.

Big screen and S Pen: Galaxy Note9

The Note9 128GB in Lavender Purple (£636.99) and the top-spec Note9 512GB in Ocean Blue (£727.99) are brand new, with a 6.4-inch screen and the S Pen.

Best value: Galaxy A7, A9 and J6+ (2018)

The Galaxy A7 (2018) (£149.99), Galaxy A9 (2018) with four rear cameras (£199.99) and Galaxy J6+ (£199.99) all run Android 10 and are brand new.

The curved classics: S7 edge and S6 edge

The Galaxy S7 edge (£299.99) and Galaxy S6 edge in Black Sapphire (£399.99) are sealed, and made curved screens famous. For a cheaper S7 to actually use, the refurbished Galaxy S7 is £99.99.

Cheapest way in: Galaxy A5 and J5 (2016)

The refurbished Galaxy A5 (2016) (£79.99) and Galaxy J5 (2016) (£69.99) run Android 7, enough for WhatsApp, calls, texts and music. Good as a spare or a simple first smartphone.

See every older Galaxy in our Samsung collection, or browse the whole Retro Tech range.

Old Galaxy FAQ

Will my SIM card fit?

All of these take a nano SIM, the same size as most new phones. Dual SIM models take two.

Can I move my apps and photos from my current phone?

Yes. Sign in to the same Google account to bring back your contacts, photos (with Google Photos) and app list. Some newer apps may not install on older Android versions.

Is an old Galaxy safe to use?

For everyday use, pick a 2018 model and keep your apps updated. Older models with no updates are best used for music, as a spare phone or as a collector's item.

Buying Retro Tech from XTEC: every handset is genuine, never a replica or clone, and dispatched from our UK warehouse 5 days a week, with 30-day returns. Questions about a model? Message us on WhatsApp at 07599 803768 and a real person will reply.