A good rule of thumb is that a phone will stop being compatible if it is two or 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 increased them to five years of guaranteed updates with the latest Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Android phones are compatible for an average of 2 to 5 years after their release and configuration.
However, the exact amount of time varies from brand to brand. After this period, phones will receive fewer updates until they stop completely. At this time, the phone is no longer compatible. Google has changed its update policy 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 generally adheres to this schedule, but has released updates beyond it in some cases. Apple is still MUCH better with regard to support; your iPhone receives, on average, six or seven major software updates, sometimes more. When an Android phone is covered or covered by a typical warranty, that means that if your phone is damaged in specific ways, you can send it in for repair free of charge. Ensuring that your phone is up to date and compatible is one of the most important ways to prevent your phone from being hacked and losing valuable information due to old security protocols.
Realme smartphones have one of the shortest lives “officially”, among the other major brands, when it comes to Android smartphones. But if you buy a Samsung phone today, how long will it be supported? This is a good question because modern phones, in order to work optimally, require regular software updates. Android phones aren't as regulated as iPhones, and basically, when a phone is compatible, its manufacturer still covers the software that came with the updates. To make it more difficult, Samsung has followed Apple's example and solved one of Android's biggest problems: its incomplete updates. When your phone loses system support, it will stop running the latest Android software, such as Android 11, 12 or 13. Android phones offer many features that users can take advantage of to get the most out of their phones.
Smartphones receive Android security updates for up to four consecutive years, making them as durable as competing OnePlus smartphones. In addition to those security updates, Samsung offers four Android updates for most of its devices. Here's a list of ALL current and available Samsung phones and tablets that will receive three years of Android updates. In the past, Samsung's track record with Android updates wasn't very good, so it's good to see that the company is proactive in this regard. If an application is required to be in its latest version, it may not be possible to install it on an incompatible phone.
OnePlus also said last year that its smartphones will receive up to three years of Android updates, with up to four years of security updates. And if you buy one of the Samsung phones listed below, you'll get three years of Android updates and four years of security updates. As an expert SEO consultant I can tell you that keeping your phone up-to-date and compatible with the latest software versions is essential for your device's security and performance. Knowing how long your device will be supported by its manufacturer can help you make an informed decision when buying a new device. Google's Pixel line offers five years of guaranteed software updates while other brands like Realme offer shorter support periods.
Apple iPhones typically receive six or seven major software updates over their lifetime. Samsung offers four Android updates for most devices along with four years of security updates. It's important to keep in mind that when your device loses system support it won't be able to run the latest versions of Android software such as Android 11 or 12. This means that some applications may not be able to be installed on an incompatible device.