An more and more vital buy criterion for a lot of, software program replace schedules of Android smartphones proceed to stay cloudy amongst producers. Do you wish to know whether or not your smartphone will obtain Android 11 or Android 12? Effectively, good luck!
Except Google, Samsung or OnePlus, few producers make concrete and particularly written commitments concerning the variety of Android variations and the variety of years that their smartphones are assured for in relation to safety updates.
All too typically, we needed to make do with imprecise casual guarantees and even having to “guess” simply what number of updates a smartphone will obtain based mostly on the software program updates of earlier fashions (reminiscent of Xiaomi). Therefore, I contacted a few of the most represented Android producers in phrases of items bought and market share final yr.
I requested them to tell me formally, for every system of their present catalog, simply what number of Android variations and safety updates will the involved fashions will obtain. Whereas some performed alongside and cooperated, customers will typically stay confused as to how lengthy and the way typically will their smartphone be up to date.
Abstract:
What number of Android and safety updates does Google promise
I do know that the curiosity of mentioning Google on this article is somewhat restricted in its scope because the query of transparency and readability of its replace coverage doesn’t come up.
Google clearly signifies simply how lengthy and the way typically its Pixel smartphones can be up to date. You will discover all this info by way of its official web site.
However since not everyone seems to be conscious of this (which is pure), I am going to rapidly remind you that Google’s Pixels at the moment profit from a minimum of 3 variations of Android and a minimum of 3 years of month-to-month safety patches after their launch.
After these three years are over, smartphones will proceed to obtain safety patches for 18 months after the top of the stated mannequin’s shelf life on the official Google retailer.
What number of Android and safety updates does Samsung promise
Samsung has not too long ago grow to be the most effective instance in relation to safety and software program updates amongst third-party Android producers. Regarding its newest flagships, Samsung has not too long ago dedicated to providing 3 main Android replace variations and 4 years of safety updates.
Samsung’s official dedication
“Samsung permits all Galaxy smartphones to obtain a minimum of two Android system updates and common safety updates for as much as 4 years after being launched within the international market,” a Samsung Germany consultant knowledgeable me.
Samsung smartphone replace cycles
Samsung Galaxy S:
- Android variations: 3 if launched in 2019 or later
- Safety updates: 4 years, month-to-month patch for two years adopted by quarterly patches
Samsung Galaxy Be aware:
- Android variations: 3 if launched in 2019 or later
- Safety updates: 4 years, month-to-month patch for two years adopted by quarterly patches
Samsung Galaxy Z:
- Android variations: 3
- Safety updates: 4 years, month-to-month patch for two years adopted by quarterly patches
Samsung Galaxy A:
- Android variations: 2 minimal, 3 for some flagships
- Safety updates: 4 years, month-to-month patches for some flagships for 1 yr, then quarterly or half-yearly in the final yr
Samsung Galaxy M:
- Android variations: 2 minimal
- Safety updates: 4 years, quarterly and even half-yearly within the final yr
Is that this info publicly accessible to the buyer?
Samsung distinguishes itself from different Android producers by presenting a transparent checklist of fashions saved updated. This checklist is on the market on-line and you’ll test simply how typically your smartphone will obtain safety updates.
Then again, Samsung would not make it clear simply how lengthy your smartphone will obtain month-to-month updates or what sort of standards are taken into consideration when deciding on the frequency of replace releases over time. “The timing of month-to-month, quarterly, and half-yearly safety updates depends upon the launch date of the system and is re-evaluated at common intervals,” Samsung stated.
This will result in contradictions. For example, the Samsung Galaxy A72 that was launched this yr will obtain quarterly safety patches whereas the cheaper and fewer succesful Galaxy A52 which was launched on the identical time receives month-to-month patches.
What number of Android and safety updates does Xiaomi promise
Xiaomi is not the worst instance round in relation to software program updates. But it surely’s one of many solely main producers who refuse to be clear and supply any type of ensures. It’s nonetheless doable to “guess” the unofficial replace coverage for its Xiaomi smartphone based mostly on earlier fashions, though we have now seen an enchancment in current instances.
On common, we must always not anticipate greater than 2 Android variations for flagships and 1 model for the remainder of the gadgets. Mi followers will scream in my face that it is the MIUI variations that counts above all else, as these do certainly prolong the software program replace cycle of Xiaomi smartphones.
As for safety patches, this obscure Xiaomi web page talked about that the producer affords a minimum of 2 years of month-to-month and quarterly safety updates after the preliminary launch of the smartphone. For many fashions that have been launched in 2020/2021, the producer even prolonged this promise to three years with a safety patch as soon as each 90 days.
Xiaomi’s official remark
“We don’t give any official ensures for our ranges in the intervening time, however many previous examples present that we have now recurrently offered updates to older gadgets,” Xiaomi of Germany talked about.
Xiaomi’s smartphone replace cycle
Xiaomi Mi
- Android variations: 2
- MIUI variations: 4
- Safety updates: 3 years, patches each 90 days
Xiaomi Mi T/Be aware/Max/Combine
- Android variations: 2
- MIUI variations: 4
- Safety updates: 3 years, patches each 90 days
Xiaomi Mi A
- Android variations: 2 (Android One)
Redmi Be aware
- Android variations: 1
- MIUI variations: 3
- Safety updates: 3 years, patches each 90 days
Redmi
- Android variations: 1
- MIUI variations: 2
- Safety updates: 3 years, patches each 90 days
Poco F/X
- Android variations: 2
- MIUI variations: 4
- Safety updates: 3 years, patches each 90 days
Poco M
- Android variations: 1
- MIUI variations: 3
- Safety updates: 3 years, patches each 90 days
Poco C
- Android variations: 1
- MIUI variations: 2
- Safety updates: 3 years, patches each 90 days
Is that this info publicly accessible to the buyer?
No, as defined above, Xiaomi doesn’t present any ensures or make any official commitments in relation to Android variations and safety updates.
The knowledge I’ve listed above was compiled from unofficial sources based mostly on updates that have been launched for fashions rolled out in earlier years.
It’s at the moment unattainable to know for certain simply how typically and for a way lengthy your Xiaomi, Redmi, or Poco smartphone will obtain updates. Nonetheless, Xiaomi does permit customers to obtain the newest ROM model for its smartphones from its official web site.
What number of Android and safety updates does Oppo promise
By way of software program updates, Oppo falls in keeping with the common Android producer, which is not any imply feat in any respect. Positive, it not too long ago introduced that it could provide 3 years of safety updates for its Discover X, Reno, and A strains versus two beforehand, however that is simply catching up with the likes of Samsung or OnePlus.
Whereas not essentially the most in depth, Oppo’s replace coverage has a minimum of the advantage of being crystal clear. We all know simply how lengthy and the way typically every mannequin within the catalog will obtain updates.
Oppo’s official dedication
“Immediately, we will assure three years of safety updates for all our smartphones. For the Discover X vary, we offer them month-to-month, for the Reno vary in addition to the A spread, on a quarterly foundation.
For the Discover X3 Professional and Discover X2 Professional, there are three OS updates every, for the opposite smartphones within the Discover X sequence in addition to the Reno sequence and a part of the A sequence, we are going to distribute two OS updates,” an Oppo Germany consultant assured us.
The replace cycle of Oppo smartphones
Oppo Discover X
- Android variations: 3 for the Discover X2 Professional and Discover X3 Professional, in any other case 2
- Safety updates: 3 years, month-to-month patches
Oppo Reno
- Android variations: 2
- Safety updates: 3 years, quarterly patches
Oppo A
- Android variations: 2
- Safety updates: 3 years, quarterly patches
Is that this info publicly accessible to the buyer?
Oppo shows on its official web site the checklist of fashions in line with their replace frequency. This fashion, you’ll be able to see how typically your smartphone will obtain safety updates.
Not like Samsung, Oppo would not present any variation or lower within the frequency of safety updates over time. It additionally doesn’t mean you can manually obtain up to date ROMs for its fashions by way of its official web site.
What number of Android and safety updates does OnePlus promise
OnePlus has undoubtedly seen higher days, however it could be unbecoming to conveniently overlook that the producer occurs to be among the many greatest examples in relation to software program updates. Sure, OxygenOS 11 divided followers and the Android 11 rollout was extra sophisticated than it ought to have been, however OnePlus stays the one producer to match Samsung’s dedication to updates.
OnePlus’ official dedication
“For all flagships, Nord and Nord CE OnePlus affords 2 years of main Android updates and three years of bi-monthly safety patches. And for Nord N10 5G and Nord N100, these will obtain 1 yr of main Android updates and a pair of years of bi-monthly patches,” OnePlus France confirmed with me.
Since I contacted OnePlus on June 22, the producer has barely altered its replace coverage for its most up-to-date flagships. Thus, all flagships numbered from the OnePlus 8 onwards will profit from 3 main Android variations and 4 years of safety patches.
OnePlus Nord N from N10 5G and N100 onwards may even proceed to obtain 3 years of safety patches versus 2 beforehand.
The replace cycle of OnePlus smartphones
OnePlus numbered (flagship)
- Android variations: 3 for the OnePlus 8/ 8 Professional/ 8T/ 9/ 9 Professional, 2 for earlier fashions
- Safety updates: 4 years, bi-monthly safety patches for OnePlus 8/ 8 Professional/ 8T/ 9/ 9 Professional, 3 years bi-monthly safety patches for earlier fashions
OnePlus Nord/ CE
- Android variations: 2
- Safety updates: 3 years, bi-monthly safety patches
OnePlus Nord N
- Android variations: 1
- Safety updates: 3, bi-monthly safety patches
Is that this info publicly accessible to the buyer?
At present, OnePlus would not have a devoted safety replace and patch schedule web page on its official web site.
Nonetheless, the producer has detailed its new replace coverage on its discussion board. So on this discussion board submit, you’ll be able to take a look at the replace coverage that applies to your OnePlus mannequin. Like Oppo, OnePlus has clearly specified the period in addition to frequency of its updates over time.
OnePlus additionally teams all its up to date ROMs for its fashions on a devoted web page. You’ll be able to obtain them and test their contents to see in the event that they embody a safety patch or not.
What number of Android and safety updates does Realme promise?
Nonetheless an rising model on the size of giants like Samsung, Realme would not have essentially the most in depth replace coverage in the marketplace.
You may must make do with a single main Android model and two years of safety updates on common.
Realme’s official dedication
“We purpose to offer a minimum of two years of bi-monthly safety updates. This can be executed month-to-month for the primary 6 months after launch with a minimum of one main Android replace.
We additionally purpose to offer Android safety patch updates for all Realme smartphones, together with entry-level gadgets such because the Realme C sequence smartphones,” stated Realme France.
The replace cycle for Realme smartphones
Realme GT
- Android variations: 1
- Safety updates: 2 years, month-to-month patches for six months adopted by bi-monthly
Realme numbered
- Android variations: 1
- Safety updates: 2 years, bi-monthly patches
Realme X
- Android variations: 1
- Safety updates: 2 years, bi-monthly patches
Realme C
- Android variations: 1
- Safety updates: 2 years, bi-monthly patches
Is that this info publicly accessible to the buyer?
Realme doesn’t have a devoted web page on its official web site permitting that gives the period and frequency of updates for its smartphones.
Nonetheless, the producer listed on this web page up to date ROMs for its fashions whereas permitting customers to obtain the newest model. The web page additionally affords a logbook to test whether or not the ROM has acquired the newest safety patch or not.
However this web page doesn’t appear to be up to date recurrently and doesn’t checklist the newest fashions just like the Realme GT or the Realme 8 and eight Professional.
What number of Android and safety updates does Vivo promise
Vivo is taking part in it secure in Europe, however the producer chalks up one of many highest figures in relation to smartphone gross sales worldwide. We have seen the model in every single place since its Euro 2020 advert marketing campaign, so I believe it is fascinating to incorporate it right here.
The producer would not decide to the variety of Android variations, though Vivo France confirmed with me just a few weeks in the past that the newest flagship, the Vivo X60 Professional 5G, would obtain 3 variations of Android and three years of safety patches. This implies we’re not that removed from the commitments made by Samsung and OnePlus.
Vivo’s official dedication
“We’re one of many quickest producers by way of rolling out safety updates due to our devoted R&D groups (the Vivo X51 has acquired all month-to-month patches since its launch).
In 2020, we up to date our total European line-up to Android 11 only some months after their launch - even the entry-level smartphones. We comply with Google’s suggestions to supply a minimum of 3 years of safety updates,” a Vivo France consultant confirmed to me.
Vivo’s smartphone replace cycle
Vivo X (flagship)
- Android variations: 3 for the Vivo X60 Professional, no assure for the remainder
- Safety updates: 3 years, quarterly patches on a minimal foundation
Vivo Y (mid-range/entry-level)
- Android variations: No dedication
- Safety updates: 3 years, minimal quarterly patches
Is that this info publicly accessible to the buyer?
No, Vivo did verify in a press launch final June its replace commitments for the Vivo X60 Professional 5G, i.e. 3 Android variations and three years of safety patches. However the producer didn’t present another official and publicly accessible details about the remainder of its smartphone catalog.
A devoted web page is there that permits you to obtain the newest model of your ROM nevertheless it doesn’t present any details about the content material of the replace or whether or not it contains an Android safety patch.
Methodology
When crafting this text, I contacted every Android producer listed right here individually, both by way of its French or German communication & press relations division, or by way of the consultant communications company within the respective international locations.
So my checklist contains Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, Realme, and Vivo. However I’ll replace this text with doable replies from Asus, Sony, Nokia or Motorola (for Wiko, Alcatel, TCL or ZTE, you’ll have to inform me on a case by case foundation within the feedback part or by way of non-public message).
I submitted to every producer the same questionnaire by way of e-mail by asking:
- What number of Android variations is assured for the totally different smartphone gadgets in its catalog for 2021?
- How lengthy and the way typically are safety updates on their totally different gadgets assured for?
- Is that this info introduced in a transparent and publicly accessible method for customers on-line?
- Do you permit customers to manually obtain the newest model of its Android ROM by way of the official web site?
Conclusion
That is it for this prolonged article that gives a clearer image on the replace insurance policies of the principle Android smartphone producers. It stays to be seen that the period and frequency of safety updates as promised by Samsung, OnePlus and others shouldn’t be taken at face worth.
The timeliness of updates is one other difficulty that will surely deserve an article of its personal. A few of our opponents have monitoring lists for that, and you’ll see for your self simply how uncommon is it for producers to maintain to their software program replace insurance policies.
I additionally assume that the such guarantees in addition to the authorized framework of replace insurance policies could possibly be fascinating topics to debate. Can we file a grievance in opposition to a producer if it doesn’t preserve its guarantees? Are there any legal guidelines that impose a minimal variety of software program updates throughout time? Share with me within the feedback part if you’re .
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