Smartphones Will Get Android Updates for Eight Years Thanks to Qualcomm, But It’s Not Certain

Qualcomm has decided to extend the standard software support period for Android smartphones, with future models being able to receive updates for up to eight years. This is longer than the seven years offered on Google Pixel smartphones and Samsung flagship models.

Image source: qualcomm.com

Qualcomm is ready to offer eight years of support primarily for smartphones with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which has become the basis for many current and yet-to-be-announced flagships. Without assistance from the Android developer, this would have been difficult, the company noted: “Qualcomm Technologies is pleased to take this step forward, working closely with Google to simplify updates to the latest Android on Snapdragon devices.”

This is an important change for the entire industry, but Qualcomm’s initiative should not be overestimated either. The mobile processor developer has promised that extended support will apply to new devices on Snapdragon 8 Elite; perhaps, in the future, those that have already gone on sale will join them. In practice, everything will depend on smartphone manufacturers: Qualcomm will provide them with the means for extended software support, but it will hardly be able to guarantee consumers that manufacturers will take advantage of this opportunity.

Qualcomm decided not to stop there — the company announced that its initiative will cover the next five generations of its processors. And it is not going to limit itself to just the flagship line of chips: smartphones released this year on Snapdragon 8 and Snapdragon 7 chips will receive extended support. The importance of Qualcomm’s initiative for the end consumer is difficult to overestimate. The company will increase the service life of Android smartphones, and now you will not have to buy new models as often to use the latest software.