With a four-year warranty on the operating system and security patches, Samsung moves closer to Apple and further away from its Android competitors.
Samsung unveiled a slew of new smartphones and tablets, as well as digital services and environmental initiatives. Also, the company is committed to improving its mobile software updates, a long-standing source of contention for Android manufacturers.
This year, some of the Galaxy devices will be able to get up to four generations of operating system updates and up to five years of security updates. This includes the Galaxy S21 series from last year and adds another year of support to the company’s current standard.
The following is an explanation of what this change implies for Galaxy customers, why it matters, and how it compares to Apple and Google.
One UI and Android OS Upgrades
Samsung claims to be “providing up to four generations of One UI and Android OS upgrades on selected Galaxy devices,” according to the official press release. The words “up to” should be observed here since it allows Samsung to end its recommended cadence earlier. Fortunately, Samsung has been extremely consistent with its upgrades over the last year, so the future is favorable.
The Eligible Galaxy Devices
The following is a list of all Galaxy devices that are subject to the new update standard:
- Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, S22 Ultra, as well as Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, S21 Ultra, S21 FE, and future S series smartphones
- Galaxy Z Fold3, Galaxy Z Flip3, and forthcoming Galaxy Z devices
- Samsung Galaxy A Series: future A series device
- Samsung Tablets, including the Galaxy Tab S8, S8 Plus, S8 Ultra, and forthcoming Tab S series devices
- Galaxy Watch: Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic, as well as forthcoming Galaxy Watch devices
Why Does It Matter?
The software that powers a smartphone lies beneath the gleaming glass casings and multi-camera setups. That phone, tablet, or laptop may be used for much longer, receive access to the latest features, and experience overall security improvements with solid and consistent software support. More importantly, increased usage of technology reduces the amount of e-waste that enters landfills each year.
Advantage over the Google Pixel?
Google touted a five-year update commitment when it debuted the Pixel 6 line of phones two months ago, plastering the audacious pledge across marketing campaigns and social media. However, we immediately realized that, while the most recent Pixels would receive five years’ worth of security fixes, the same could not be said for OS updates.
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are assured to receive Android version updates until at least October 2024, or three years after debut, according to Google’s support page. As the originator of the Android platform and a user of an in-house system on a chip (Tensor), you’d expect the Pixel smartphone series to represent the pinnacle of the Android experience. However, comparing Google’s update commitment to Samsung’s reveals a substantial edge for the Galaxy-phone manufacturer.
It’s Not Apples to Apples — Yet
Apple continues to be the gold standard of software upgrades, with the average iPhone receiving at least six years’ worth of iOS updates. While Apple hasn’t indicated specifically how long an iPhone will be supported with the latest software updates, devices as old as the iPhone 6S (2015) receive the “New iOS update is now available” notification in 2022.
Samsung’s four-year commitment to OS upgrades falls short of Apple’s, but it is good to see the business continuing to set and live up to its own standards. Hopefully, it will put enough pressure on other Android makers to follow suit.
