Android Phones May Support up to 8 Years of Major Upgrades, Here’s How

While existing Android phones are eligible for major software upgrades for up to seven years, Qualcomm says phones running its latest Snapdragon chip can now receive up to eight consecutive years of Android software and security updates. The announcement is an extension of Qualcomm’s partnership with Google, which the companies jointly said will “provide customers with updates that allow them to increase the longevity of their Android phones.”

In addition to smartphones powered by Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, devices launching with Snapdragon 8- and 7-series platforms will also be eligible to receive the extended Android software and security updates. However, Qualcomm’s extended support relies on the ability of device manufacturers and OEMs to increase the longevity of their smartphones. In other words, even though smartphones powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, Snapdragon 8, and Snapdragon 7-series chips will support up to eight years of Android software and security, consumers will receive them only when OEMs implement this support.

“Qualcomm Technologies is excited to take this step forward, working closely with Google to facilitate the latest Android OS upgrades on devices with Snapdragon,” said Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of mobile handsets at Qualcomm Technologies.

How will this support come through?

According to Qualcomm, the extended year programme will be part of the support for platform software made available to OEMs through Android OS and kernel upgrades, “without requiring significant changes or upgrades to the platform and OEM code on the device.” The chipmaker said the software support can be implemented without causing the vendor code to change, reducing associated costs for OEMs interested in providing up to eight years of Android software and security updates.

Google and Samsung currently lead the industry in terms of offering maximum Android software and security updates. While Google is working with Qualcomm for extended support, its Pixel phones are not powered by Snapdragon chips, making them ineligible. However, Samsung, which uses Qualcomm chips on its flagship phones, already offers seven years of Android upgrades but may need to integrate the new extended software support programme to reach the eight-year mark.

The programme also covers upgrades to the mobile platform’s Android Common Kernel (ACK) to support the eight-year update cycle. “This level of support aligns with the key security initiatives in the US and EU aimed at improving the cybersecurity standards for hardware and software products,” said the company, referring to the European Union's mandatory 7-year software update rule for smartphones.

Qualcomm also noted that while its collaboration with Google will result in extended software support, it is notable that the decision to implement the extended software support falls to the OEM. “Legacy platforms” or previous Snapdragon platforms such as Snapdragon 888, however, are not eligible for the extended software support programme.