Top 5 Android Phones With Longest Software Support
▼ Summary
– Google and Samsung now offer seven years of Android and security updates for several flagship models, surpassing Apple’s unguaranteed but typical five to six years of support.
– The 2019 iPhone 11 series will receive iOS 27 in 2026, showing iPhones often get seven years of updates despite no formal promise.
– Other Android brands, including Motorola and Honor, have followed by offering seven-year software support guarantees on some models.
– The Fairphone Gen 6 offers seven years of Android updates and eight years of security updates, slightly better than most mainstream Android guarantees.
– Many Android vendors now extend support to midrange and entry-level phones, with some receiving up to six years of software updates.
Android has long played second fiddle to Apple when it comes to software update longevity, but the narrative has flipped dramatically over the last few years. Both Google and Samsung now offer seven years of Android OS upgrades and seven years of security patches for their flagship Pixel and Galaxy devices, a commitment that actually surpasses what Apple has historically provided. While Apple never formally promised a specific support window, iPhones have consistently received updates for five to six years after launch. The 2019 iPhone 11 series, for instance, will run iOS 27 when it debuts in September 2026, marking the phone’s seventh birthday. Following Samsung and Google’s lead, other Android manufacturers have raised the bar considerably. Models like the Motorola Signature, Honor Magic V6, Pixel 10a, and Galaxy S26 Ultra all now come with seven-year software guarantees.
However, one Android device quietly outpaces the crowd. The Fairphone Gen 6, a modular and sustainable handset from European manufacturer Fairphone, offers seven years of Android updates and eight years of security updates. That extra year of security support edges past most mainstream flagships, making it a standout for users who prioritize long-term device ownership.
For consumers seeking a phone that won’t lose support after just two or three years, the options are expanding rapidly. Dozens of Android devices now ship with the same seven-year guarantee. Even better, manufacturers are extending generous support to midrange and entry-level models as well, with some budget-friendly phones now receiving up to six years of software updates.
(Source: BGR)
