Google will support software updates for up to four years for Android smartphones using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips

If you are an Android smartphone user, especially those equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor, there is good news for you. Google just announced that Android smartphones using Snapdragon chips will be supported with software updates for up to four years, instead of three years as before.

Unlike Apple, which allows an iPhone model to continuously receive new iOS updates until the hardware no longer meets the minimum requirement. Google often terminates support for Android updates and smartphone security patches within 3 years from the date of launch.

The difference is that since Apple develops the software itself and also makes the hardware itself, it has total control. Meanwhile, Google develops software, while Android smartphones are made by many other manufacturers. Software updates for Android smartphones also depend entirely on these manufacturers, while Google cannot intervene or force them to update.

The iPhone usually gets new software updates in about 5 years, while for Android only 3 years at most. With the new change from Google, Android smartphone users will feel less disadvantaged. But even so, it still depends on the manufacturers.

Because the longer support for Android smartphones also causes users to reduce the number of new device purchases, that may not be good for manufacturers. However, with Google’s Pixel smartphone, users will not need to worry about that.

Reference: phonearena