Flagschip smartphones from OnePlus, Xiaomi and more can finally match and even exceed the extensive software -update promise from Google and Samsung.
Snapdragon Chip Maker Qualcomm has published a blog post in which it is revealed that it has worked closely with Google to make it easier for third -party manufacturers to offer extensive software support.
From now on, devices that are performed on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip and Android 15 (or later) will be able to offer for a maximum of eight years of Android software and security updates.
Why is this a big problem?
Qualcomm’s involvement should make it easier for manufacturers to “seamlessly update the software and security on their devices”.
With both Android OS and Kernelupgrades, smartphone makers are not obliged to make important changes or upgrades to code during this new longer eight-year period.
This new software -update time frame goes beyond Google’s own seven -year -old promise for recent pixel telephones, including the Pixel 8a and Pixel 9. It also exceeds the similar promise of Samsung for the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and Samsung Galaxy S25.
Qualcomm has announced this, it says, to promote “lifetime and sustainability”. Longer software support means that you can hold your phone for longer technically without risking your security or missing new new functions.
Qualcomm
What about future chip and telephone support?
Qualcomm also states that “smartphones launched on new mobile platforms from Snapdragon 8 and 7 series are also eligible to receive this extensive support.”
It also states that this collaboration with Google will deal with the following five generations of Qualcomm chips.
This suggests that for the near future, at least, telephones on the flagship of Qualcomm and Mid-Range chipsets are able to offer extensive update reliefs much easier.
What this does not mean
This does not guarantee that the current phones on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip will extend their promise of software update.
Do not expect OnePlus or Xiaomi to announce an update for eight years for the OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15. Presumably it is very possible, but such a step would still require extra work from the aforementioned manufacturers, who have already explained their update policy for their devices from the beginning of 2025.
This also does not necessarily mean that each next Snapdragon 8 -Elite device with an update promise of eight years will be delivered.
As Qualcomm itself notes, it is still the task on smartphone OEMs (aka manufacturers) to implement such extensive updates. Qualcomm just made it easier to do this.
