The longevity of an Android device, at least in terms of the years of updates that it will get, can sometimes be used as a way to promote a device. Google has previously announced alongside Samsung that it will guarantee seven years of security updates. Now, the internet search giant has made an announcement, this time alongside chip maker Qualcomm, that they will give Android devices eight years of updates, including of the security variety.
As you might expect though, not every Android device out there is going to be benefitting from this. The device in question must first obviously be using a Qualcomm chip, but not just any from its catalogue. In fact, it has to be the company’s newer chips, starting with the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This privilege will be extended to other new devices launching later this year using chips from the Snapdragon 8 and 7 family. The company also makes clear that “legacy platforms cannot take advantage of the extended support”.
While Qualcomm and Google may have made the commitment, it’s still up to individual phonemakers as to whether their phones actually get the full eight years of updates. For what it’s worth, the chipmaker claims to have seen “commitments from OEMs to keep their devices available to customers for longer”.
Which is all well and good, and at least on the software side of things, very much welcome. That being said, most phones of these days likely don’t have batteries that last long enough for users to make full use of the eight years of updates.
(Source: Qualcomm)
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