Google surprised everyone with the recent revelation that its Pixel phones, beginning with the new Pixel 8 series, will receive updates for a remarkable seven years. This announcement was disclosed at the “Made by Google” launch event, signifying a significant shift in the company’s approach to software support.
Pixel 8 is scheduled to receive the Android 21 update.
Google has pledged to offer updates for Pixel 8 phones for up to seven years, guaranteeing continued access to the latest features and security enhancements until the release of Android 21.
Apple has been known for offering solid support for its older iPhone and iPad models for around five to six years, a reputation that has now been exceeded by Google.
What about the other firms?
Google has been leading the way for seven years with its support, but it is crucial to observe how other companies are handling this issue. In the Android realm, many manufacturers offer updates for around two years, prompting users to purchase new smartphones once that period ends.
Samsung is mentioned.
Samsung has made significant advancements in this area, offering support for four generations of Android and five years of security updates. An instance of this progress is the Galaxy S23 FE, which currently runs on Android 13 and will later be updated to Android 17.
Motorola’s brand.
Motorola assesses every device to determine the number of updates to provide. Their high-end models typically receive two to three generations of Android updates, such as the recently launched Edge 40 Neo. The Moto G gets one significant update, while the Moto E does not receive system updates, only security patches.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi plans to extend the number of Android updates for its smartphones, including up to Android 17 for some models like the Redmi K60 Extreme Edition, along with five years of security updates.
realme
Realme believes that providing three significant Android updates and four years of security updates is optimal for enhancing the user experience, but this has been limited to its high-end models.
Will other companies imitate Google’s actions? Share your thoughts in the comments!