Qualcomm and Google announce new Android OS update program

Qualcomm and Google announced a new Android OS update program to extend the longevity of Android phones. 

Starting with Android 15 devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm is offering phone manufacturers the ability to provide support for up to 8 consecutive years of Android software and security updates. 

The new Android OS update program will also include devices equipped with future Snapdragon 8 and 7-series mobile platforms. In a blog post, Qualcomm says the program will "cover the next five generations of Qualcomm Technologies ASICs". Qualcomm added that the new program lowers the costs for Android phone makers to offer longer software support for devices. 

Currently, software support among Android phone manufacturers is inconsistent. Google and Samsung have both committed to providing 7 generations of OS upgrades and security updates, while brands like OnePlus and OPPO promise four years of Android upgrades and five years of security patches. Nothing offers three years of Android OS updates paired with four years of security fixes.

This new program should help standardise the software update policy across Android phone makers and ensure users continue to get the latest features and security patches. However, the decision to join the program and offer 8 years of software support ultimately lies with Android phone makers.

While it is a step in the right direction, it remains to be seen if all Android phone makers will commit to being part of the program. Nonetheless, Qualcomm says it is "already seeing commitments from OEMs to keep their devices available to consumers for longer".

Source: Qualcomm

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