A good rule of thumb is that a phone will become incompatible if it is between two and three years old. However, this varies from company to company. Google's older Pixel phones used to receive three years of software updates, but they have now increased this to five years of guaranteed updates with the latest Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Generally, it is the flagship devices that receive monthly security updates, while mid-range and budget offers get them every three months. So how long will your Galaxy phone or tablet continue to receive security updates? Well, you can expect your device to have the same schedule for the first two years after its release.
In the third year, a device in the monthly program is updated quarterly, and those with a quarterly program only receive security updates when necessary. Samsung has extended the support period for security updates for some devices to the fourth year, but it remains to be seen if this will be applied to more devices. Currently, Samsung smartphones get up to three years of Android updates with four years of security updates. A report released earlier this week suggested that Samsung could announce that its flagship smartphones, starting with last year's Galaxy S21 series, could receive up to four years of Android updates, along with five years of security patches. If true, this would make Samsung phones the most durable Android smartphones on the market, even surpassing Google's Pixel smartphones.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series will be released tonight with the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra. Thirdly, you should update your apps regularly. Hackers can use the apps you install on your smartphone to exploit them. Just like your smartphone's operating system, apps also contain errors and defects, so it's a good idea to update them regularly. Google has changed its policy around updates several times since it first launched the Pixel line.
Google has never explicitly said when it will stop updating its phones, but it gives a month in which support will probably end as a reference. Google usually adheres to this schedule, but has released updates beyond it in some cases. Devices running Android 10 and later can also receive security updates such as updates to the Google Play system, thanks to Project Mainline. Instead, you can bookmark this page and continue to check it to see what security update program your Galaxy device complies with. In addition to those security updates, Samsung offers four Android updates for most of its devices. Google Pixel smartphones receive three years of Android updates and Android security patches for about 5 years.
These changes have been released for people who make the best Android phones for at least 30 days, but Google can't force anyone to give you the new ones. Newer devices starting with the Pixel 6 series get three years of Android updates and five years of security updates. Vivo smartphones also receive up to three versions of the Android software update, but the brand's smartphones only receive security updates for three years. However, on Android you should be very careful as it allows you to download apps from third-party sources. iQOO smartphones also receive two years of feature and software updates, and receive security updates for three years on a consistent basis.
These updates improve existing security protocols and correct new vulnerabilities discovered since the last update. In addition, you should install security apps; protect your phone with a PIN, access code or any available biometric security feature; avoid opening unsolicited emails; and use the phone's built-in security features such as app permissions. Like its sister company OnePlus, Oppo smartphones also receive three years of software updates with security patches for four years. The main reason is that the lack of security updates makes your phone vulnerable to malicious actors. Before there were many manufacturers that released Android devices but they have mostly been reduced to Samsung, Google and a few smaller players at least in the US. In terms of security updates, smartphones in the X and G series will receive up to 3 years of constant security patches for Android while those in the C series will receive 2 years of quarterly security updates. So why is it a bad idea to use a smartphone that doesn't get these updates? Does it really matter?.
