An more and more necessary buying criterion, the replace coverage of Android smartphones is however one of many areas the place producers stay essentially the most obscure. Happily, issues are beginning to enhance, and it is changing into simpler to inform whether or not your smartphone will obtain Android 14 or Android 15.
Samsung has proven the way in which by bettering its replace coverage, and since then producers like Xiaomi and extra not too long ago Google have been making efforts to reassure prospects. These manufacturers make agency commitments as to the variety of Android variations and the period of safety updates they assure for his or her smartphones.
We’ve got requested the primary Android manufacturers in the marketplace how lengthy can we anticipate to obtain software program updates for his or her completely different product strains, each for Android upgrades and safety updates. The primary model of this text was printed in 2021 and since then we up to date a few occasions to mirror the enhancements made by the manufacturers.
All time frames beneath begin counting from the date the fashions had been launched, until famous in any other case.
What number of Android and safety updates does Google promise
As of July 2024, Google is the producer with the most effective Android replace coverage. This will likely appear logical, however for a short while in 2023, Samsung was main the way in which. The Mountain View agency has made a comeback with its Pixel 8 vary and is now promising seven years of Android updates and safety patches.
Google clearly states how lengthy and the way typically its Pixel smartphones will likely be up to date straight on its official web site.
However since not everyone seems to be conscious of this, as is barely pure, I am going to shortly remind you that the Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 ranges profit from three years of updates. This will increase to 5 years for the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel Fold ranges. As talked about above, you will rise up to seven years of updates together with your Pixel 8 or 8 Professional.
- Pixel 8 household: 7 years of system upgrades and safety patches.
- Pixel 6, 7, and Fold fashions: 3 years of system upgrades, 5 years of safety updates.
- Pixel 4, and 5 households: 3 years of system upgrades and safety patches. (Unsupported, apart from the Pixel 5a 5G which can obtain updates till August 2024)
What number of Android and safety updates does Samsung promise
Samsung briefly misplaced its title because the Android model with the longer software program assist to Google in 2023, however simply as 2024 began, the corporate matched the seven years of software program assist, for now, just for the flagship Galaxy S24 and Galaxy Z fashions launched in 2024.
Samsung’s official dedication
“Samsung allows all Galaxy smartphones to receive at least two Android system updates and regular security updates for up to four years after being launched in the global market,” a Samsung Germany consultant knowledgeable us.
Samsung smartphone replace cycles
Samsung Galaxy S:
- Android variations: Seven, if launched in 2024 or later.
- 4, if launched in 2021 or later.
- Three, if launched in 2019 or 2020. (Unsupported)
- Safety updates: Seven years, if launched in 2024 or later.
- 5 years, if launched in 2021 or later.
- 4 years for 2019 and 2020 fashions: month-to-month patches for 2 years adopted by quarterly patches.
Samsung Galaxy Z:
- Android variations: 4, if launched in 2021 or later, in any other case three.
- Safety updates: 5 years (4 if launched in 2020 or earlier than), month-to-month patches for 2 years adopted by quarterly patches.
Samsung Galaxy A:
- Android variations: Two minimal, 4 for some high-end and 2024 fashions.
- Safety updates: 4 years, month-to-month patches for some flagships for one yr, then quarterly or half-yearly in the final yr.
- 5 years for “select devices”.
Samsung Galaxy M:
- Android variations: Two minimal.
- Safety updates: 4 years, quarterly, and even half-yearly within the final yr.
Samsung Galaxy Word:
- Android variations: Three if launched in 2019 or later.
- Safety updates: 4 years, month-to-month patch for 2 years adopted by quarterly patches.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
Samsung distinguishes itself from different Android producers by presenting a transparent checklist of fashions stored updated. This checklist is out there on-line and you’ll examine simply how typically your smartphone will obtain safety updates.
Alternatively, Samsung would not make it clear simply how lengthy your smartphone will obtain month-to-month updates or what sort of standards are taken under consideration when deciding on the frequency of replace releases over time. “The timing of monthly, quarterly, and half-yearly security updates depends on the launch date of the device and is re-evaluated at regular intervals,” Samsung mentioned.
This will result in contradictions. For example, as of July 2024, the Galaxy Word 20 remains to be receiving month-to-month safety patches, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 2 launched on the identical day with roughly the identical {hardware} is getting quarterly updates.
What number of Android and safety updates does OnePlus promise
OnePlus (and mum or dad firm Oppo) briefly tried to match Samsung’s assist insurance policies over 2023, however hasn’t joined the South Koreans (and Google) in promising seven years of characteristic updates and safety patches.
The replace cycle for OnePlus smartphones
OnePlus numbered (flagship)
- Android variations: 4 for 2023 fashions and later;
- Three for the OnePlus 8/8 Professional/8T/9/9 Professional; and two for earlier fashions.
- Safety updates: 5 years for 2023 fashions and later;
- 4 years, bi-monthly safety patches for OnePlus 8/8 Professional/8T/9/9 Professional,
- Three years of bi-monthly safety patches for earlier fashions.
OnePlus Nord/CE
- Android variations: 4 for the Nord 4.
- Safety updates: Six for the Nord 4.
- For earlier fashions: Three years, bi-monthly safety patches.
OnePlus Nord N/Lite
- Android variations: Two for the Nord CE 4 Lite.
- Safety updates: Three, bi-monthly safety patches.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
At the moment, OnePlus would not have a devoted safety replace and patch schedule web page on its official web site. The corporate used to replace a discussion board put up and a assist web page with each their insurance policies and newest software program updates for its fashions, however these pages have not been up to date since 2023 and 2022, respectively.
What number of Android and safety updates does Motorola promise
Motorola was one of many first firms to launch updates proper after Google. Both due to its proximity to the Mountain View large or as a result of its software program options are very near “pure” Android. Nevertheless, this has modified a bit since Lenovo purchased the corporate in 2014.
Motorola’s smartphone replace cycle
In touch with Motorola, the corporate knowledgeable that the assist size rely on the mannequin and prospects can examine for particular fashions in its assist web page.
Motorola’s Extremely variants
- Android variations: Three years.
- Safety updates: 4 years, bi-monthly safety patches.
Motorola’s Edge and Razr collection
- Android variations: Three years for 2023 fashions and later.
- Two years for earlier fashions.
- Safety updates: 4 years for 2023 fashions and later.
- Three years for earlier fashions, bi-monthly safety patches.
Motorola’s G-models
- Android variations: Two years.
- Safety updates: Three years, bi-monthly safety patches.
Motorola’s E-models
- Android variations: One yr.
- Safety updates: Two years, bi-monthly safety patches.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
Motorola presents an official web page for checking Android replace information for its gadgets, in addition to one other one particularly for safety updates and the associated bug experiences.
What number of Android and safety updates does Xiaomi promise
Xiaomi has gone from being one of many worst instances of software program updates to one of the vital exemplary. The producer introduced in 2023 that it now presents 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety updates.
This choice was introduced on the event of the launch of the Xiaomi 13T and 13T Professional, and subsequently most likely considerations the model’s flagships. Count on not more than 3 Android variations for the remainder of the catalog.
The Chinese language firm improved so much its replace promise for some mid-range Redmi Word fashions, however since lots of them are rebranded Poco telephones, it’s a little tough to know which fashions will obtain safety updates for 3 or 4 years, as is the case for the 2024 Word 13 household.
As for safety patches, this obscure Xiaomi web page talked about that the producer presents at the very least two years of month-to-month or quarterly safety updates after the preliminary launch of the smartphone. For many fashions that had been launched in 2020/2021, the producer even prolonged this promise to a few years with a safety patch as soon as each 90 days.
Xiaomi’s official remark
“Xiaomi has significantly improved its update policy in recent years, especially for flagship models. Here is an overview of the update promises for various Xiaomi product lines:”, Xiaomi replied when questioned by nextpit.
Xiaomi’s smartphone replace cycle
Xiaomi flagships
- Android variations: 4, for fashions launched after the Xiaomi 13T vary.
- Three for earlier fashions.
- Safety updates: 5 years, for fashions launched after the 13T vary.
- With patches each 90 days.
- 4 years for earlier fashions.
Xiaomi Mi A
- Android variations: Two (Android One).
Redmi Word
- Android variations: Two or three years for the Redmi Word 13 collection, relying on the mannequin.
- One or two for earlier fashions.
- Safety updates: Three or 4 years for the Redmi Word 13 collection, relying on the mannequin.
- Patches each 90 days.
- Two or three years for earlier fashions.
Redmi
- Android variations: One.
- Safety updates: Two years, patches each 90 days.
Poco F/X
- Android variations: Two or three years, relying on the mannequin.
- Safety updates: Three or 4 years, relying on the mannequin, patches each 90 days.
Poco M
- Android variations: One to a few years, relying on the mannequin.
- Safety updates: Three years, patches each 90 days.
Poco C
- Android variations: One.
- Safety updates: Two years, patches each 90 days.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
No, nevertheless, for an excellent a part of its line-up below the AER (Android Enterprise Beneficial) program, it’s attainable to seek out the replace frequency, EOL (finish of life), and future working system promised on the corporate’s assist web page.
Exterior of these fashions, it’s at present inconceivable to know for positive simply how typically and for the way lengthy your Xiaomi, Redmi, or Poco smartphone will obtain updates. Nevertheless, Xiaomi does permit customers to obtain the newest ROM model for its smartphones from its official web site.
What number of Android and safety updates does Nothing promise
Nothing arrived to the scene with type, with its eye-catching Nothing Telephones providing good bang-for-the-buck and the novel Glyph interface. In terms of software program updates, the corporate presents insurance policies aggressive with rival fashions in the identical value vary.
Nothing’s smartphone replace cycles
Nothing Telephone:
- Android variations: Three.
- Safety updates: 4 years.
CMF Telephone:
- Android variations: Two.
- Safety updates: Three years.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
The present fashions (as of July 2024) have the data on their on-line product pages. The corporate knowledgeable nextpit {that a} separate web site is at present being deliberate.
What number of Android and safety updates does Asus promise
With a streamlined product vary, Asus presents a simple software program replace coverage for its Zenfone and ROG Telephones households.
Asus’ smartphone replace cycles
- Android variations: No less than two years.
- Safety updates: No less than 4 years.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
No.
What number of Android and safety updates does Oppo promise
Lengthy lagging behind by way of software program monitoring, Oppo has began to improve and since early 2023 has assured 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety patches for its high-end smartphones just like the Oppo Discover X or Discover N.
Mid-range smartphones within the Oppo Reno or A ranges obtain three Android updates and 4 years of safety patches. Extra inexpensive fashions obtain one Android replace and three years of safety updates.
Whereas not essentially the most in depth, Oppo’s replace coverage has at the very least the benefit of being crystal clear. We all know simply how lengthy and the way typically every mannequin within the catalog will obtain updates.
Oppo’s official dedication
“At the moment, we are able to assure three years of safety updates for all our smartphones. For the Discover X vary, we offer them month-to-month, for the Reno vary in addition to the A variety, on a quarterly foundation.
For the Discover X3 Professional and Discover X2 Professional, there are three OS updates every, for the opposite smartphones within the Discover X collection in addition to the Reno collection and a part of the A collection, we are going to distribute two OS updates,” an Oppo Germany consultant assured us.
The replace cycle of Oppo smartphones
Oppo Discover X
- Android variations: 4 for fashions from the Discover X6 upwards.
- Three for Discover X5 Professional, Discover X3 Professional, and Discover X2 Professional, in any other case two.
- Safety updates: 5 years for fashions from the Discover X6 and newer.
- 4 years for earlier fashions, with month-to-month patches.
Oppo Reno/F/Ok/Discover Lite/Discover Neo
- Android variations: Two.
- Safety updates: 4 years, quarterly patches.
Oppo A
- Android variations: One.
- Safety updates: Three years, quarterly patches.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
Oppo shows on its official web site the checklist of fashions based on their replace frequency. This manner, you’ll be able to see how typically your smartphone will obtain safety updates.
Not like Samsung, Oppo would not present any variation or lower within the frequency of safety updates over time. It additionally doesn’t help you manually obtain up to date ROMs for its fashions by way of its official web site.
What number of Android and safety updates does Realme promise?
Realme would not have essentially the most in depth replace coverage in the marketplace. You may must make do with a single main Android model and two years of safety updates on common. And with the obvious scale-down in operations outdoors China, enhancements on software program assist introduced in 2023 do not apply to different markets.
Realme’s official dedication
“We purpose to supply at the very least two years of bi-monthly safety updates. This will likely be completed month-to-month for the primary six months after launch with at the very least one main Android replace.
We additionally purpose to supply Android safety patch updates for all Realme smartphones, together with entry-level gadgets such because the Realme C collection smartphones,” mentioned Realme France in February.
Firstly of December, we contacted the European Realme staff, who confirmed that this similar replace coverage will likely be maintained for the not too long ago launched Realme 10 (hands-on).
The replace cycle for Realme smartphones
Realme GT
- Android variations: Two.
- Safety updates: Three years, month-to-month patches for six months adopted by bi-monthly.
Realme numbered
- Android variations: One.
- Safety updates: Two years, bi-monthly patches.
Realme X
- Android variations: One.
- Safety updates: Two years, bi-monthly patches.
Realme C
- Android variations: One.
- Safety updates: Three years, bi-monthly patches.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
Realme doesn’t have a devoted web page on its official web site permitting that gives the period and frequency of updates for its smartphones.
Nevertheless, the producer listed on this web page up to date ROMs for its fashions whereas permitting customers to obtain the newest model. The web page additionally presents a logbook to examine whether or not the ROM has obtained the newest safety patch or not.
However this web page doesn’t appear to be up to date usually and doesn’t checklist the newest fashions just like the Realme GT or the Realme 8 and eight Professional.
What number of Android and safety updates does Vivo promise
Vivo is enjoying it protected in Europe, however the producer chalks up one of many highest figures with regards to smartphone gross sales worldwide. We have seen the model in all places since its Euro 2020 and 2024 sponsorships, so I feel it is attention-grabbing to incorporate it right here.
The producer would not decide to the variety of Android variations, though Vivo France confirmed with me that the Vivo X60 Professional 5G, would obtain three variations of Android and three years of safety patches. This implies we’re not that removed from the commitments made by Samsung and OnePlus.
Vivo’s official dedication
“We’re one of many quickest producers by way of rolling out safety updates because of our devoted R&D groups (the Vivo X51 has obtained all month-to-month patches since its launch).
In 2020, we up to date our whole European line-up to Android 11 just a few months after their launch—even the entry-level smartphones. We observe Google’s suggestions to supply at the very least three years of safety updates,” a Vivo France consultant confirmed to us.
Vivo’s smartphone replace cycle
Vivo X (flagship)
- Android variations: Three for the Vivo X60 Professional and later, no assure for the remaining.
- Safety updates: Three years, quarterly patches on a minimal foundation.
Vivo Y (mid-range/entry-level)
- Android variations: No dedication.
- Safety updates: Three years, minimal quarterly patches.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
No, Vivo did verify in a press launch final June its replace commitments for the Vivo X60 Professional 5G, i.e. three Android variations and three years of safety patches. However the producer didn’t present another official and publicly out there details about the remainder of its smartphone catalog.
A devoted web page is there that lets you obtain the newest model of your ROM however it doesn’t present any details about the content material of the replace or whether or not it consists of an Android safety patch.
What number of Android and safety updates does Sony promise
Sony presents a really goal replace coverage: there are three years for safety updates, and two years for system updates. Assist for the latest variations of the Android working system differ by area, and if we take into account that Android 13 for Sony’s smartphones is scheduled to reach in December 2022, we are able to say that the corporate is anxious about retaining its gadgets software program updated.
Sony’s official dedication
“Sony’s warranties for security and system updates are three years for security updates, and two years for system updates,” a Sony consultant in Germany confirmed to us.
Sony’s smartphone replace cycle
- Android variations: Two years.
- Safety updates: Three years, the frequency of the patches wasn’t confirmed.
Is that this info publicly out there to the patron?
For years Sony has dealt with software program assist for its gadgets on a person foundation. So be ready for a fragmented expertise with the official assist web page for software program updates. Sony Electronics additionally publishes information about software program updates and providers straight on the press web page.
Conclusion
That is it for this prolonged article that gives a clearer image of the replace insurance policies of the primary Android smartphone producers. It stays to be seen that the period and frequency of safety updates as promised by Samsung, OnePlus, and others shouldn’t be taken at face worth.
The timeliness of updates is one other subject that would definitely deserve an article of its personal. A few of our opponents have monitoring lists for that, and you’ll see for your self simply how uncommon is it for producers to maintain to their software program replace insurance policies.
I additionally suppose that such guarantees in addition to the authorized framework of replace insurance policies could possibly be attention-grabbing topics to debate. Can we file a grievance in opposition to a producer if it doesn’t hold its guarantees? Are there any legal guidelines that impose a minimal variety of software program updates throughout time? Share with me within the feedback part in case you are .
This text was up to date in July 2024 with updates to Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Motorola, Asus, and Nothing insurance policies.