Most Android users would be familiar with how brands offer updates. Flagship models typically get 5-7 years of Android updates, while others get less. However, Qualcomm wants to help more devices get more updates.
Yesterday, Qualcomm announced a new extended support program, which allows smartphone manufacturers to provide up to eight years of Android operating system and security updates. As part of a collaboration with Google, this program mainly applies to Snapdragon 8 and 7-series devices. Currently, upcoming Android 15 devices with the Snapdragon 8 Elite are the first to benefit.
Qualcomm said this will help manufacturers lower the cost of supporting more consecutive years of updates. It should also be noted that since Qualcomm mentioned "up to eight years", how long a device is supported would still be up to the manufacturer. From a layman's perspective, it's like changing the 'licensing' of Android updates from Google to Qualcomm. It also gives manufacturers another incentive to source Qualcomm chipsets. Moreover, the extended support is optional, so it's up to the manufacturer to decide.
We'll likely see more brands offering longer years of Android OS and security updates, but what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.
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