There is no single update lifespan for all Android phones, and Apple does not publish one fixed forward-looking support term for every iPhone. Google promises Pixel 8 and later seven years of operating-system and security updates; Samsung says selected Galaxy devices can receive up to seven years of security updates. Apple’s published history shows major iOS updates reaching back about six years in one company report, while some older iPhones have received later security patches. The meaningful comparison is the exact model, what updates it gets, when its support clock started, and how much time remains.
What “software updates” means
Update promises can refer to different kinds of maintenance, so compare like with like:
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- Major OS upgrades move a phone to a newer Android or iOS version, sometimes adding features or changing the interface.
- Security updates patch vulnerabilities. They may continue after a phone stops receiving the newest major OS version.
- Feature drops and supplemental updates can add features or fixes without being a major OS upgrade. Google says Pixel support may include new or upgraded features through Pixel Drops. Google’s Pixel update policy describes its OS and security commitments separately.
Apple’s software deployment guide notes that older devices may not be eligible for an OS upgrade if their hardware cannot support it. Apple’s deployment guide distinguishes major upgrades from minor updates.
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| Manufacturer and devices | Published support statement | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 8 and later | 7 years of OS and security updates, according to Google’s current support page accessed October 4, 2026. The period starts when each device first became available on the Google Store in the US. | Buying later does not restart the clock. Google also says the commitment may include Pixel Drops. Google Pixel update policy |
| Listed Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 family devices | 5 years of OS and security updates, according to the same Google support page accessed October 4, 2026. | Check the page for the exact model and its first-availability date; do not apply the newer Pixel 8 term to older models. Google Pixel update policy |
| Selected Samsung Galaxy devices | Up to 7 years of security updates, as Samsung states on its Mobile Security page as of January 2024, accessed October 4, 2026. | “Up to” is not a promise for every Galaxy. Eligible models may receive patches monthly, quarterly, or biannually. Samsung Mobile Security scope |
| iPhone | Apple’s June 2024 environmental report says its observed OS feature-update support reached as far back as 6 years from a device’s original release. | This is historical company-reported experience, not a fixed future guarantee for every iPhone. Apple’s compatibility and release records are the better model-specific checks. Apple’s June 2024 environmental report |
How long do iPhones get iOS and security updates?
Apple’s record is best read as evidence of past support, not a universal countdown promise. In its June 2024 environmental report, Apple said iOS 17 supported iPhone models introduced since 2018. The report also cited a March 2024 iOS 15 update for iPhone 6s, a model introduced in 2015. Those examples show that feature updates and later maintenance can span many years, but they do not guarantee the same duration for every future model. Apple’s report
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Apple’s security-release history also shows why “can install the latest iOS” and “can receive a security patch” are separate questions. Its log records an iOS 26 release for iPhone 11 and later in September 2026, and an iOS 15.8.6 security release for iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and first-generation iPhone SE on January 26, 2026. A release log confirms updates issued on those dates; it does not establish a future patch schedule for every older iPhone. Apple security releases
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why Android update support varies by phone
Android has no single brand-wide duration: support depends on the manufacturer and model. Google’s published Pixel terms distinguish Pixel 8 and later from listed Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 family devices. Samsung’s “up to seven years” wording applies to selected Galaxy devices, and its security page lists different patch schedules for eligible models. That means a headline promise for one phone or generation should not be treated as a guarantee for an entire brand.
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Samsung’s February 2022 announcement offered selected Galaxy devices up to four Android OS upgrades and up to five years of security updates. That older policy is useful context for older models, but it should not be applied to every current or past Galaxy phone. Use the support listing for the exact model. Samsung’s February 9, 2022 announcement
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- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
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- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How to compare update life before buying or keeping a phone
- Identify the exact model and regional variant. A policy may cover selected models rather than every phone from a manufacturer. Check the manufacturer’s current support page or model schedule.
- Separate OS upgrades from security support. Record how long the phone is promised major version upgrades and whether security updates have a separate end date.
- Find the support start date. Google counts its Pixel windows from first availability on the US Google Store. A later purchase or second-hand sale does not reset that date. Google Pixel update policy
- Work out the time left. Compare the support start date and published duration or end date with today; do not mistake the original commitment for years remaining on a used phone.
- Check the patch cadence and current record. A long security commitment may mean monthly, quarterly, or biannual patches depending on the Samsung model. For Apple devices, check the compatibility list and dated security-release history rather than assuming the latest-OS cutoff is also the security cutoff. Samsung Mobile Security scope · Apple security releases
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