Historically, Android hasn’t had a stellar reputation for software updates. Thankfully, this situation has improved significantly over the last five years or so. In 2025, it’s relatively common for Android flagships to receive at least a few years of OS updates and security patches. Even many budget phones now receive at least one OS upgrade.
With consumers holding onto their devices longer, timely operating system (OS) updates and security patches have become a key consideration when purchasing a smartphone.
While not all brands are equal in their commitment, several have stepped up their game, matching or even exceeding Apple’s historically strong update policies. Let’s break down which brands offer the best software support in 2025.
1. Google
The Pixel series leads Android in software longevity. With the Pixel 8 series, Google promises seven years of Android OS updates, security patches, and feature drops—a level of support unmatched even by Apple.
What makes Google’s approach particularly impressive is its retroactive support for older models like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, which have also been granted an additional two years of Android updates. With timely and consistent rollouts, Pixel phones remain one of the best choices for users seeking long-term software support.
2. Apple
Apple has long been the benchmark for consistent software updates. Even during Android’s early years of fragmented support, Apple regularly provided at least three major OS updates for its devices. By the time the iPhone 6 launched, five years of updates had become standard.
However, Apple has never explicitly guaranteed update timelines for its smartphone. Some might receive longer updates than we expect them to. For instance, the iPhone 6S launched with iOS 9 and continued receiving updates until iOS 15, far surpassing expectations.
However, following regulatory pressure in the UK, Apple for the first time confirmed that the iPhone 15 Pro will receive at least five years of updates. That’s the bare minimum though. Apple often exceeds this commitment, supporting older models as long as hardware limitations do not hinder performance.
3. Samsung
Samsung and Google are on a level playing field when it comes to update commitments for flagships. Samsung also promises seven years of OS upgrades and security patches for the Galaxy S24 series and newer devices, including the Flip, Fold, and Galaxy Tab S10 models.
While its flagship lineup benefits from this long-term support, some Galaxy A-series budget models are also guaranteed to receive six years of updates—better than the flagship update policies of many rival brands.
More importantly, Samsung rolls out updates timely manner, whether for its flagships or budget models, making it a better Android brand if you care about software updates.
4. Fairphone
Fairphone has built its brand around sustainability and long-term software support. The Fairphone 2, released in 2015, received updates for over seven years—a rare feat in the Android world.
The newer Fairphone 5 offers five years of OS updates and eight years of security patches. The company even claims it will try to extend security patch updates to 10 years if things work in their favor.
However, Fairphone’s update schedule isn’t as predictable as other brands, with inconsistent OS releases and patch updates despite the long support window.
5. The Industry Still Has Room to Improve
Despite the advancements by Google, Samsung, and Apple, other brands have room for growth. Xiaomi, OnePlus, and OPPO are yet to make enough progress, while companies like Motorola still struggle to deliver consistent updates to even its flagship phones.
All in all, Google and Samsung currently lead with its seven-year update commitment, making it the best choice for users prioritizing long-term software support. Apple remains a reliable and consistent option, particularly for those already invested in the iOS ecosystem.
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