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Seven years of Android updates are no longer limited to Google and Samsung. Motorola, Honor, and Fairphone have joined them, with newer phones promising long-term software support, giving buyers more options to choose from.
This list covers recent models rather than older phones that still qualify for extended support, such as the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24. There is also an important detail to keep in mind when comparing them: the seven-year period starts when a phone first goes on sale, not when you buy it.
Google counts from the Pixel’s first sale through the US Google Store, while Samsung counts from the first sale date. A phone released several months ago will therefore have less support time remaining than a newer model.
1. Best overall
The Google Pixel 11 starts at $899 and gets seven years of Android OS upgrades, security updates, and Pixel Drops, with support scheduled to continue through August 2033.
It ships with Android 17, Google’s Tensor G6 chip, and a Titan M3 security chip. Google also promises seven years of spare parts, giving owners the option to replace components such as the battery rather than buy a new phone when the original starts wearing out.
The phone keeps the familiar 6.3-inch design of its predecessor instead of introducing a major redesign. Its software support is another advantage, as Google delivers Android updates and security patches directly without waiting for a carrier or another manufacturer to approve them.
2. Best big-screen Pixel
The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL starts at $1,299 for the 12GB/256GB model, making it $100 more expensive than the Pixel 10 Pro XL was at launch. Its larger 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and has a claimed peak brightness of 3,600 nits.
It powers via a 5,115mAh battery with 45W wired charging, while its rear camera system combines a 50MP main sensor with a 48MP telephoto camera. The Pro models also include Wi-Fi 7 and ultra-wideband connectivity.
As you can guess, software support matches the smaller Pixel 11, with updates scheduled through August 2033. That makes the Pro XL worth considering if you want a larger screen without giving up Google’s full update commitment.
3. Best premium Samsung
Samsung promises seven years of updates on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, making it eligible for OS upgrades until Android 23—security patches follow suit. Samsung also delivers smaller One UI updates between major Android releases.
The phone has a 6.9-inch display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and an S Pen for writing, drawing, and other tasks. Its privacy display mode limits visibility from off-axis viewing angles, adding another feature for people who regularly use their phones in public. The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299.
Samsung launched the phone in February, meaning its seven-year support period began roughly six months before the Pixel 11’s. Its support will therefore end around February 2033, earlier than Google’s August 2033 deadline. Our Galaxy S26 vs S26+ vs S26 Ultra breakdown covers the differences between Samsung’s flagship models.
4. Best Samsung value
Samsung announced the Galaxy S26 FE in August and began selling it in markets in September. It has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an Exynos 2500 processor, and 8GB of RAM. A 4,900mAh battery supports 45W wired charging.
The phone runs One UI 9 based on Android 17 and qualifies for seven years of OS upgrades and security patches. Samsung has priced it $50 higher than the Galaxy S25 FE in international markets, but it remains a more affordable way to get Samsung’s extended software support than buying the S26 Ultra.
5. Best budget
At $499, the Google Pixel 10a is the least expensive phone on this list. It went on sale in March and qualifies for seven years of OS upgrades, security updates, and Pixel Drops, much like the Pixel 11.
The phone has a 6.3-inch Actua display, a 5,100mAh battery, IP68 water and dust resistance, and Gorilla Glass 7i protection. Much of its hardware carries over from the Pixel 9a, so the extended software support is one of the main reasons to consider it.
Its camera performance is less impressive, however. DxOMark’s testing placed the Pixel 10a below the Pixel 8a and iPhone 15. If camera quality is a priority, we recommend going through reviews before making the decision.
6. Best flagship outside the US
The Motorola Signature is the company’s first phone with a seven-year update commitment, covering seven Android OS upgrades and seven years of security patches through early 2033. It starts at €999 in Europe and £899 in the UK, although Motorola does not sell it in the US.
Its specifications include a 6.8-inch display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, and a 5,200mAh battery. It also supports fast 90W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. The phone also carries IP68 and IP69 ratings for protection against dust and water, along with a near-stock version of Android.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 sits below the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. In Motorola’s defense, the price is lower too.
7. Best foldable in Europe
The Honor Magic V6 has a 6.52-inch cover display and a 7.95-inch inner screen, giving it a large display for multitasking when unfolded. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and packs a 6,660mAh battery. The phone also carries IP68 and IP69 ratings.
In Europe, Honor sells it in a 16GB/512GB configuration for €2,299.99. The UK price is £1,999.99.
What’s interesting in this case is that Honor commits to seven years of software updates for Magic phones sold in the EU and UK. However, support in other markets depends on the region or market. For instance, Malaysia and Singapore get six years of commitment.
Google and Samsung also have competing foldables—the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. You can also see how the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra compares with the Honor Magic V6.
8. Best for repairs
Fairphone launched the Fairphone Gen 6+ in August for €649, and you can now buy the smartphone officially in the US too. It ships with 12GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor, plus the modular design of the Fairphone Gen 6. The device boots on Android 16 and comes with a five-year warranty.
The company promises software updates until at least 2033, giving the phone roughly seven years of support. That is slightly less generous than the eight-year commitment for the older Fairphone Gen 6, despite the newer model’s higher price.
As is usual for every Fairphone, its main appeal is repairability rather than raw performance. The replaceable components and long warranty may help owners keep the phone for longer, particularly if they prefer fixing individual parts instead of replacing the entire device.
9. Which one should you buy?
The best choice depends on how much you want to spend and which features matter most. The Google Pixel 11 series has support scheduled through August 2033, giving it the latest end date among the phones listed here. The standard Pixel 11 is the more affordable flagship option, while the $499 Pixel 10a brings the same seven-year update commitment to a lower price, with some compromises in camera performance.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 FE also qualify for seven years of updates. The Ultra is better suited to buyers who want the S Pen and Samsung’s premium features, while the FE provides a more affordable entry point.
Outside the US, the Motorola Signature is another premium Android option, and the Honor Magic V6 brings extended support to foldable phones in Europe and the UK.
Finally, the Fairphone Gen 6+ is the choice for people who want to repair their phones rather than replace them when a component fails. Whichever model you choose, check the actual support end date and local update policy before buying. Seven years of promised updates can mean different amounts of time remaining, depending on when and where you purchase the phone.
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