The Moto G17, which recently launched in parts of Europe, is already drawing criticism, and not because of its hardware. The issue is software support, or more specifically, how little of it Motorola is expected to offer.
The Moto G17 was announced last week as a refresh to the Moto G15. Changes are limited. The most noticeable upgrade is a 32MP front-facing camera, while most other specs remain familiar. The phone runs on the MediaTek Helio G81 Extreme and ships with Android 15, an OS version that first rolled out in mid-2024 and now feels a generation behind in early 2026.
On the UK product page, the company explicitly promises two years of security updates, taking coverage to around early 2028. There is no mention of any Android version upgrades.
The company points to EU Ecodesign regulations, which require manufacturers to provide security, corrective, and functionality updates for several years after a product stops being sold. Crucially, the rules only apply to major Android upgrades if a manufacturer chooses to offer them. That wording allows companies to meet legal requirements while skipping OS version updates entirely.
While this approach appears to comply with the letter of the law, it has not gone over well with critics. Budget rivals are doing far more. The Samsung Galaxy A17, for example, is promised up to six Android version updates, and Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 15 line offers four years of OS upgrades.
At roughly £150, the Moto G17 still offers decent basics—a large display, IP64 protection, and a 50MP main camera. But buyers are being asked to accept limited long-term support in return.
As the phone rolls out across EMEA markets, it highlights a growing split in the budget segment: some brands now treat long software support as standard, while others continue to treat it as optional.
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