For many years, one of the biggest weaknesses of Android compared to iOS has been the lack of long-term software support. Recently, however, many manufacturers such as Google and Xiaomi have significantly changed their update policy. Google’s 7-year Pixel update promise has shaken things up again.
Which smartphone has the best update policy?
Google announced that the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will be supported for 7 years. This eclipses all previous mobile update promises, even surpassing Apple. But let’s not forget that there are some caveats, because older Pixel models will not be affected.
In addition to Google’s new commitment, Samsung’s Galaxy S/Fold lineup gets 4 years of Android and 5 years of security updates. Unlike Google, this applies to a wide range of devices.
Apple’s update policy, on the other hand, has been reliable for many years. iPhones are often supported for much longer than promised. They regularly receive updates for more than 5 years after launch. Apple usually offers updates on a device-by-device basis without a clear timeline.
Xiaomi’s flagships, on the other hand, now have 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security suite support. It also recently aroused curiosity by giving Android 14 to three of its models.
In addition to all these brands, it is necessary to open a separate parenthesis for the sustainable-oriented Fairphone. For example, it was stated that the Fairphone 5 model introduced in recent months will receive updates until 2033 and will have replaceable parts.
So what do you think about the smartphone update policy? You can share your opinions with us in the Comments section below.
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