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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteShort answer: Google promises seven years of Android and security updates for Pixel 8 and newer phones, while Pixel 6 and 7 families and Pixel Fold are covered for five years. Samsung promises seven generations of operating-system upgrades and seven years of security updates for the Galaxy S25 series. Those periods start before you buy the phone, and Samsung’s wider Galaxy policy is not identical across every model.
The exact model, country, carrier and original release date matter more than the brand name. Use the table below as a starting point, then verify the support window for the specific phone and regional model you plan to use.
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Software-update support at a glance
| Phone group | Android or OS upgrades | Security updates | When the clock starts | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 8 and later | Seven years | Seven years | First availability on the Google Store in the United States | May also receive new or upgraded features through Pixel Drops |
| Google Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a and Pixel Fold | Five years | Five years | First availability on the Google Store in the United States | May also receive Pixel Drop features during the support period |
| Google Pixel 5a with 5G and earlier | No longer receiving Android version updates | No longer receiving security updates | Not applicable | Google lists these generations as outside the current update window |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 series | Seven generations | Seven years | Global launch date | Timing can vary by model, network provider and market |
| Other Samsung Galaxy phones | Depends on the exact model | Samsung describes support as up to seven years for Galaxy mobile devices | Depends on the product policy | “Up to” is not a blanket seven-year guarantee |
Google’s periods are published by model cohort. Samsung’s strongest current commitment is specifically attached to the S25 family; it should not be applied automatically to an older Galaxy S, Z, A or M-series phone.
What an “update” includes
Operating-system upgrades
An operating-system (OS) upgrade is a new Android version or a major platform release. It can change privacy controls, system behavior, app permissions, the user interface and compatibility with newer applications. Samsung describes its commitment in generations of OS upgrades, while Google states a number of years during which OS updates are included.
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- Google Pixel 10 is the everyday phone unlike anything else; it has Google Tensor G5, Pixel’s most powerful chip, an incredible camera, and advanced AI - Gemini built in[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- The upgraded triple rear camera system has a new 5x telephoto lens - up to 20x Super Res Zoom for stunning detail from far away; Night Sight takes crisp, clear photos in low-light settings; and Camera Coach helps you snap your best pics[3]
- Pixel 10 is designed - scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and has an IP68 rating for water and dust protection[21]; plus, the Actua display - 3,000-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[4]
Security updates
Security updates address newly discovered vulnerabilities and other defects. They are separate from major Android releases. A phone can continue receiving security patches after its final Android version, so “how many Android upgrades?” and “how long is it safe to use?” are different questions.
Feature drops and bug fixes
Google says Pixel software updates can include features, security enhancements, OS updates and bug fixes. Pixel Drops may add or upgrade features during the published support period, but a feature drop is not a substitute for a security patch or a new Android version. Samsung’s seven-year S25 wording covers OS upgrades and security updates; individual features can still vary by model, market and hardware.
Google Pixel: which phones receive updates for seven years?
Pixel 8 and newer
Google’s current Pixel support policy places Pixel 8 and later phones in a seven-year group. The listed examples include Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, the Pixel 9 family, the Pixel 10 family and newer models shown on Google’s support page. The seven-year period covers both Android OS and security updates.
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The policy is measured from each phone’s first availability on the Google Store in the US, not from the day an individual customer activates it. A phone purchased late in its life therefore has fewer than seven calendar years of support remaining.
Pixel 6 and 7 families and Pixel Fold
Google lists Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold for five years of OS and security updates. The same US Google Store availability rule applies. These models may also receive Pixel Drop features while they remain within that support window.
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- Google Pixel 10 is the everyday phone unlike anything else; it has Google Tensor G5, Pixel’s most powerful chip, an incredible camera, and advanced AI - Gemini built in[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- The upgraded triple rear camera system has a new 5x telephoto lens - up to 20x Super Res Zoom for stunning detail from far away; Night Sight takes crisp, clear photos in low-light settings; and Camera Coach helps you snap your best pics[3]
- Pixel 10 is designed - scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and has an IP68 rating for water and dust protection[21]; plus, the Actua display - 3,000-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[4]
Pixel 5a and earlier
Google lists Pixel 5a with 5G and earlier generations as no longer receiving Android version or security updates. If you own one of these phones, an update notification should not be interpreted as evidence of an ongoing guaranteed support period; check the installed security-patch level and plan replacement around your security requirements.
Samsung Galaxy: the S25 promise is model-specific
Galaxy S25 series
Samsung states that the Galaxy S25 series will receive seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the family’s global launch date. This is a long support commitment, but the start date is still earlier than your purchase date. A discounted S25 bought years after launch has correspondingly less time left on the original support clock.
Samsung also cautions that the timing of OS and security updates may vary by model, network provider and market. A release can therefore appear on one carrier or in one country before it appears on an otherwise similar device elsewhere.
What “up to seven years” means for other Galaxy devices
Samsung’s 2025 sustainability reporting describes security-update support for Galaxy mobile devices as “up to seven years.” That wording establishes a maximum, not a universal entitlement. Availability and timing vary by product and market, and the report does not assign the same OS-upgrade count to every Galaxy model.
For an older Galaxy phone, do not infer its end date from the S25 announcement. The exact model number, regional variant and carrier are necessary to determine what Samsung currently supports.
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- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
Historical context: the four-generation policy
In February 2022, Samsung announced up to four generations of One UI and Android OS upgrades and up to five years of security updates for selected products. The announcement named devices such as the Galaxy S21 and S22 families, Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3, and Galaxy Tab S8. This was a selective historical policy, not a promise that every previous Galaxy phone received those terms and not a replacement for the newer S25 commitment.
Why the advertised period is not the time you personally get
The support clock starts at release
Both companies start counting before the second-hand or late-life buyer takes ownership. Google uses first US Google Store availability; Samsung uses the S25 global launch date. If a phone has already been available for two years, buying it today does not reset the manufacturer’s clock.
Regional and carrier rollout delays
Google says Pixel rollouts are gradual and depend on the operator and device; an update can take a few weeks to arrive. Samsung similarly says timing can vary by model, network provider and market. A delayed notification does not necessarily mean your phone has lost eligibility, but it does mean the published support period and the delivery date are not identical.
How to check a Pixel’s current update status
- Open Settings.
- Tap System.
- Select Software update.
- Install an offered update, or note that the device is current.
- In Settings, look for the phone’s Android version and security-update level to record exactly what is installed.
Compare the model and its original availability with Google’s current support grouping. The Settings screen tells you the present patch level; it does not extend the manufacturer’s published end date.
How to assess an older Galaxy phone
Samsung does not publish one universal end date that can be safely applied to every Galaxy device. Identify the full model designation and the country or carrier version, then consult Samsung’s current support information for that product. Also check the phone’s installed Android version and security-patch date in its software settings.
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Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
- Do not use the S25 seven-year figure as a substitute for model-specific information.
- Do not assume two phones with similar names receive identical schedules if they were sold in different markets.
- Record the security-patch date, not just the Android version, when evaluating an older device.
- If the phone is outside its stated security window, treat that as a security and compatibility decision rather than merely a missing feature update.
What this means when buying new, discounted or used
New phones
A new Pixel 8-or-later model currently offers the clearest published seven-year OS-and-security window from Google. The Galaxy S25 family offers a comparable length in headline terms, but its timing remains subject to Samsung’s model, carrier and market qualifications.
Discounted inventory
A lower price can reflect an older launch date rather than a better value. Calculate remaining support from the original availability or launch date, not from the date the retailer received its stock.
Used phones
For a used phone, ask for the exact model, region and current security-patch date. A phone with only a short period left may still work well, but its remaining supported life should be reflected in the price and in your willingness to replace it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common update problems and what they mean
The update has not appeared yet
Wait for the gradual rollout window, keep the phone connected to a reliable network and check again later. Carrier approval or regional scheduling can delay delivery even when the model remains eligible.
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OS releases and security patches are separate tracks. Check both fields in Settings; a major-version change does not prove that the latest security fixes are installed.
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- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
A phone has stopped receiving updates
First verify the exact model and its original support start date. If it belongs to Google’s Pixel 5a-and-earlier group, Google considers it outside the current update window. For Galaxy devices, obtain model-specific confirmation rather than extrapolating from another series.
Which brand offers the longer guarantee?
For the named current cohorts, Pixel 8 and later and Galaxy S25 both advertise seven years in important respects. Google explicitly combines seven years of OS and security updates for its newer Pixel group. Samsung specifies seven OS-upgrade generations and seven years of security updates for S25, while warning that delivery varies by model, network and market.
The practical difference is consistency of scope: Google publishes clear Pixel cohorts, including a separate five-year group and an end-of-support group. Samsung’s broader language is “up to seven years,” so a Galaxy purchase requires checking the individual model rather than relying on the flagship promise.
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Choose by exact model and remaining support, not by the Galaxy or Pixel label alone. Pixel 8 and newer phones have Google’s seven-year OS-and-security policy; Pixel 6 and 7 families plus Pixel Fold have five years; Pixel 5a and earlier are no longer updated. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series has seven OS-upgrade generations and seven years of security updates, but other Galaxy phones can have shorter or different terms. Because the clock starts at original availability or launch, confirm the remaining years before buying new, discounted or used.
Quick Recap
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