A five-year-old phone with no security updates still costs money. The Samsung Galaxy A10, launched in March 2019, is now available on the second-hand and refurbished market for as little as £50. This guide cuts through the listings to tell you what you’re getting, where the trade-offs are, and whether a budget phone from 2019 still makes sense in 2024.

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Release year: 2019 ·
Display size: 6.2 inches ·
Starting price new (launch): €149 ·
Current price (refurbished): from £87 ·
Android version (latest): Android 11 ·
Security support ended: 2022

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact remaining stock of brand-new units
  • Third-party security patch availability
  • Long-term battery degradation in second-hand units
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • No further software updates from Samsung
  • Device will become increasingly vulnerable over time
  • Best suited as a backup or basic-use phone

Six key facts, one pattern: the Galaxy A10 was a capable entry-level phone at launch, but its value today depends entirely on how much you care about security updates.

Here is what the key specs look like in one table.

Fact Value
Release date March 2019
Original price €149
Refurbished price (2024) from £87
Second-hand price (2024) £50–£80
Latest Android version Android 11
Security update status Ended in 2022

The implication: the Galaxy A10’s price has dropped by roughly 60% from its launch value, but the support window has closed completely.

How old is a Galaxy A10 phone?

Release date and lifecycle overview

  • Announced on 28 February 2019 (Wikipedia)
  • Released globally in March 2019 (PhoneArena)
  • Discontinued in 2020

The Galaxy A10 is approximately five years old as of 2024. That puts it well past the typical smartphone lifecycle, especially for a budget device.

The pattern: a five-year-old phone with no security updates is a device that’s functionally frozen. It still works, but it’s no longer being maintained.

How much does a Galaxy A10 cost?

New vs. refurbished vs. second-hand pricing

  • Launch price: €149 (PhoneArena)
  • Refurbished (certified): from £87 on platforms like Back Market and Alibaba Electronics Buying Guides
  • Second-hand (private sale): typically £50–£80
  • Brand-new stock (if available): may still be listed by some retailers at a premium

The trade-off: a refurbished unit at £87 with a warranty is safer than a private sale at £50, but you’re still buying a phone that won’t receive security patches.

The trade-off

A refurbished unit at £87 with a warranty is safer than a private sale at £50, but you’re still buying a phone that won’t receive security patches. The warranty covers hardware failure, not software vulnerability.

The catch: the price is tempting, but the support gap means you’re paying for hardware that’s no longer being protected by the manufacturer.

Is a Samsung Galaxy A10 a good phone?

Performance, camera, battery life

  • 6.2-inch HD+ IPS LCD display (1520 × 720 resolution) (PhoneArena)
  • Exynos 7884 octa-core processor (2×1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 + 6×1.35 GHz Cortex-A53) (Wikipedia)
  • 2 GB RAM, 32 GB internal storage, microSD up to 512 GB (PhoneArena)
  • 13 MP rear camera (f/1.9), 5 MP front camera (PhoneArena)
  • 3,400 mAh battery (PhoneArena)
  • Plastic body, 168 grams, 155.6 × 75.6 × 7.9 mm (Wikipedia)

Strengths and weaknesses for 2024

Upsides

  • Large 6.2-inch display for media consumption
  • Expandable storage up to 512 GB
  • Lightweight plastic build (168 g)
  • Very low entry price on second-hand market
  • Decent battery life for basic tasks

Downsides

  • Only 2 GB RAM — struggles with multitasking
  • No fingerprint sensor
  • No fast charging, micro USB port
  • Security updates ended in 2022
  • Camera quality is basic by 2024 standards

The trade-off: the Galaxy A10 is a perfectly functional phone for calls, texts, light browsing, and YouTube. But 2 GB of RAM and an end-of-life OS mean it’s not a device for anyone who runs multiple apps or cares about banking security.

What is the latest version of Samsung Galaxy A10?

Android version and One UI updates

  • Shipped with Android 9 Pie and One UI 1.0 (PhoneArena)
  • Received Android 10 / One UI 2.0 in 2019
  • Final major update: Android 11 with One UI 3.1 in 2021 (PhoneArena)
  • Security patches stopped in 2022

The Galaxy A10’s software journey is complete. It got two major OS upgrades — from Android 9 to Android 11 — which is exactly what Samsung promised for its budget A-series. After that, the pipeline closed.

The pattern: Android 11 is now three years old. Many modern apps require Android 12 or later, and the lack of security patches means any newly discovered vulnerabilities in Android 11 will never be fixed on this device.

Is the Galaxy A10 still supported?

Current support status and security risks

  • No more security updates since 2022 (PhoneArena)
  • Samsung’s policy: 2 years major OS + 3 years security for budget phones
  • Using it in 2024 poses vulnerability risks

The short answer is no. Samsung ended support for the Galaxy A10 in 2022, which means the device is now in what security researchers call “end-of-life” status. Any security flaw discovered in Android 11 after 2022 will remain unpatched.

The risk

For anyone who uses banking apps, stores personal data, or logs into accounts on their phone, an unsupported Android device is a genuine liability. The Galaxy A10 is fine as a music player or emergency backup, but not as a daily driver for sensitive tasks.

The implication: if you’re buying a Galaxy A10 for a child, as a work-only device with no personal data, or as a media player, the lack of support is manageable. If you need it for banking, email, and two-factor authentication, look elsewhere.

Timeline

  • February 2019: Samsung Galaxy A10 announced (Wikipedia)
  • March 2019: Galaxy A10 released globally (PhoneArena)
  • 2019: Received Android 10 / One UI 2.0
  • 2021: Updated to Android 11 / One UI 3.1 (final major update)
  • 2022: Last security patch released; support ended

What the experts say

“The Galaxy A10 features a 6.2-inch HD+ Infinity-V display and is powered by the Exynos 7884 octa-core chipset, making it a capable entry-level device for everyday tasks.”

— Samsung official press release, 2019 (via PhoneArena)

“Security updates for the Galaxy A10 have been discontinued. Users are advised to upgrade to a supported device to ensure continued protection against emerging threats.”

— Samsung support page (archived, via PhoneArena)

Additional sources

youtube.com, youtube.com, theinformr.com

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Frequently asked questions

Does the Galaxy A10 support 4G or 5G?

The Galaxy A10 supports 4G LTE but not 5G. It’s compatible with standard 4G networks in most regions.

Can I still use banking apps on Galaxy A10 in 2024?

You can, but it’s not recommended. Many banking apps now require Android 12 or later, and the lack of security patches makes the device vulnerable to exploits.

How long does the Galaxy A10 battery last?

The 3,400 mAh battery typically lasts a full day with light use (calls, texts, browsing). Heavier use like video streaming will drain it faster. Battery life on second-hand units depends on how many charge cycles it has been through.

Is the Galaxy A10 waterproof?

No. The Galaxy A10 has no official IP rating for water or dust resistance.

Does the Galaxy A10 have a fingerprint sensor?

No. The Galaxy A10 lacks a fingerprint sensor. It relies on PIN, pattern, or password for security.

What colour options are available for Galaxy A10?

The Galaxy A10 was released in Black, Blue, and Red colour options.

Can I play PUBG or Genshin Impact on Galaxy A10?

PUBG Mobile runs at low settings with occasional frame drops. Genshin Impact is not playable — the 2 GB RAM and Exynos 7884 chipset cannot handle the game’s demands.

Related reading

For anyone in the UK or Europe looking at a Galaxy A10 to buy in 2024, the choice is clear: pick up a certified refurbished unit with a warranty if you need a cheap backup or media device, but skip it entirely if you need a secure daily driver. The alternative — a newer budget phone like the Galaxy A14 or Moto G series — costs more upfront but comes with years of support and a fingerprint sensor. The A10’s price is low, but the hidden cost is your security. A buyer who needs a daily driver should skip the A10 and choose a supported model.