It was a pleasant surprise when it was announced that the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro would be getting seven years of updates – that is, new Android versions until 2030 – and it looks like Samsung is going to follow suit. the upcoming Galaxy S24 phones.
According to unconfirmed information obtained by Android Headsthe Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra will also all get seven years of updates directly from Samsung – up from the current five years of support.
This does not come entirely out of the blue, as Samsung was reportedly considering the increase last year. It would also make sense for the company to keep up with Google and its flagship Pixel phones when it comes to software updates.
Everything about the Samsung Galaxy S24 series should be revealed next Wednesday, January 17, when Samsung holds its next Unpacked launch event. If the rumors we’ve heard so far are to be believed, we could also see plenty of AI features in addition to the usual performance upgrades.
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There are actually two types of software updates you need to know about. The first type is the major Android version update – so most recently Android 14. This is where you get all those shiny new features for your mobile operating system, which with Android 14, for example, includes more customization options for the lock screen.
Then there are security software updates, which tend to last longer than major version updates. While these updates don’t bring any major new features for you to play with, they do keep your device protected against the latest security threats.
Once these updates stop, your phone won’t immediately turn to stone. You can still use it, but the hardware and software are becoming increasingly vulnerable to bugs and hacks. That’s why software support windows are so important.
Google’s seven-year promise for the latest Pixels includes both major version updates and security software updates, but at this point it’s not clear whether Samsung will do the same with its own promise. For reference, Apple’s most recent iOS 17 update works on iPhones dating back to 2018.