Apple has long been able to guaranteegenerous software support windowsfor all of its phones, tablets, and computers through its complete control of both software and hardware chains. In the federated lands of Android, the promise unfortunately varies by brand. For many years, the standard has been a paltry 2 years of version upgrades and security patches. That has been changing in recent years, though, and customers have been able to benefit, using their gear longer and spreading out the cost of upgrades.
The situation for Android users in 2023 is the best it’s ever been on the whole, but if you’re hitting the market soon for a replacement, you might be considering software support - along with the protection and new features they provide - as one of your top priorities. We’re here with all you need to know about what the major manufacturers are laying out.
How long can I expect my Samsung phone to get Android updates?
In 2022,Samsung announcedit would bring 4 years of updates to Android and its skin, One UI, and 5 years of security updates to the following device series:
On a separate but related note, those with a Galaxy Watch 4 series wearable or later would also be getting four years of Wear OS updates from release.
Other Galaxy Ax3 and Ax4 devices are currently being served 2 years of Android OS updates and 4 years of security patches. Devices from the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 lineup onwards were granted 3 years of Android updates in 2020 (viaAndroid Police).
A full list of devices that are currently eligible for security patches on monthly, quarterly, and semiannual release cycles isavailable from Samsung.
How long can I expect my Google Pixel phone to get Android updates?
If you own a Pixel 4, 4 XL, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, or 5a, Google will provide for 3 years of Android and security updates. Those with any Pixel from the Pixel 6 onwards - including thePixel FoldandPixel Tablet- will see the security update runway extend to 5 years. The company has been known to give a few odd updates for older devices nearing or just past their guaranteed support window. You can see every Pixel’s end-of-life date on thissupport page. Pixel Tablet owners, your page ishere.
For those of you curious about thePixel Watchand its Wear OS update timeline… there isn’t one, really. Sorry.
How long can I expect my Motorola phone to get Android updates?
Up until the launch of theRazr+this year, Motorola has been struggling to provide its customers with updates on time. The best it’s done for flagships in its Edge series was two OS upgrades and 2 years of security patches at best. In the modern days of Lenovo ownership, most Moto G and E phones were simply given a year of security patches and maybe a version bump.
Things have turned around a little for Motorola as it has now made the following promises:
Customers can check to see if their device will be getting a future OS update as well as when their security updates run out onthis page.
How long can I expect my OnePlus phone to get Android updates?
OnePlus maintains OxygenOS as its version of Android for many devices, but does ship their parent company Oppo’s ColorOS on ones sold in China. Here’s how the update picture stacks up:
You’ll find details about new updates and betas for your device onthe OnePlus forums.
How long can I expect my Xiaomi phone to get Android updates?
Xiaomi’s update policy for MIUI is the newest among this group,having just been announced for its Redmi K60 Ultra. That device will be the first to get four OS upgrades and 5 years of security patches and that’snow confirmedfor the Xiaomi 13 T and Xiaomi 13T Pro too.
The last big move was to three OS upgrades and 4 years of security patches for the Xiaomi 11T, Redmi Note 11, and Redmi K50 and later series (viaMUO). You can check which devices have lost active security update supporthere.
How long can I expect my Nothing phone to get Android updates?
Both theNothing Phone (1)andPhone (2)are set for 3 years of Android version bumps and 4 years of security patches. The two phones will be in lockstep on the latest version of Nothing OS for the time that they’re in active support. You can read up on the tick-by-tick updates atNothing’s community forums.
How long can I expect my Nokia phone to get Android updates?
Nokia’s software upgrade policies vary by device and are definitely more visible on some than others. Here’s what we can gather from the devices currently on offer:
you may look up logs of security and OS updates for your device onthis Nokia page.
