The reason I ask is I tend to keep a phone for a long time and I am considering upgrading to a Z Flip 7 and deciding between the longevity of the unlocked version and the carrier-locked version (much less expensive after trade-in).
Yes, T-Mobile is still updating the Galaxy Z Flip 3 carrier-locked version as of July 2025. The unlocked version may get updates slightly earlier, but the carrier-locked version is still supported and getting monthly security patches.
If you're deciding between the unlocked and carrier-locked Z Flip 7:
The unlocked version usually gets major Android and One UI updates faster because it doesn’t have to go through T-Mobile’s approval process.
The carrier-locked version is less expensive (especially with trade-ins), but software updates can be delayed by a few weeks or more depending on T-Mobile’s testing.
If you plan to keep the phone a long time and want the fastest access to updates, the unlocked model is the better choice. But if saving money upfront is more important and you're okay with waiting a bit for updates, the T-Mobile version is still a good option and is currently supported.
