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https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/15/technology/personaltech/smartphones-software-update-ios-android.html>
"Every smartphone has an expiration date. That day arrives when the software
updates stop coming and you start missing out on new apps and security
protections. With most phones, this used to happen after about only three
years.
But things are finally starting to change. The new number is seven.
I first noticed this shift when I reviewed Google’s $700 Pixel 8 smartphone in
October. Google told me that it had committed to provide software updates for
the phone for seven years, up from three years for its previous Pixels, because
it was the right thing to do.
I was skeptical that this would become a trend. But this year, Samsung, the
most profitable Android phone maker, set a similar software timeline for its
$800 Galaxy S24 smartphone. Then Google said it would do the same for its $500
Pixel 8A, the budget version of the Pixel 8, which arrived in stores this week.
Both companies said they had expanded their software support to make their
phones last longer. This is a change from how companies used to talk about
phones. Not long ago, tech giants unveiled new devices that encouraged people
to upgrade every two years. But in the last few years, smartphone sales have
slowed down worldwide as their improvements have become more marginal.
Nowadays, people want their phones to endure.
Samsung and Google, the two most influential Android device makers, are playing
catch-up with Apple, which has traditionally provided software updates for
iPhones for roughly seven years. These moves will make phones last much longer
and give people more flexibility to decide when it’s time to upgrade.
Google said in a statement that it had expanded its software commitment for the
Pixel 8A because it wanted customers to feel confident in Pixel phones. And
Samsung said it would deliver seven years of software updates, which increase
security and reliability, for all its Galaxy flagship phones from now on.
Here’s what to know about why this is happening and what you can do to make
your phone last longer."
Via Kenny Chaffin.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
