OnePlus and Xiaomi Can Offer More OS Updates Than Google Pixel

Top-tier smartphones from brands like OnePlus and Xiaomi could soon match or even surpass the extended software update commitment of industry leaders Google and Samsung.

In a recent blog post, Qualcomm, the maker of Snapdragon chips, announced a partnership with Google to facilitate third-party manufacturers in offering prolonged software support.

Devices powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and running Android 15 or later will now be capable of receiving up to eight years of Android software and security updates.

Why is this significant?

Qualcomm’s involvement is expected to streamline the process for manufacturers to update software and enhance security on their devices.

With seamless Android OS and kernel upgrades, smartphone makers won’t need to make substantial code changes or updates throughout this extended eight-year period.

This extended software update timeline surpasses Google’s seven-year commitment for recent Pixel models and Samsung’s promise for select Galaxy devices.

Qualcomm’s initiative aims to promote device longevity and sustainability by ensuring users can keep their phones longer without compromising security or missing out on new features.

Qualcomm

What about upcoming chip and phone support?

Qualcomm also confirms that smartphones launching on new Snapdragon 8 and 7-series mobile platforms will be eligible for this extended support.

Furthermore, this collaboration with Google encompasses the next five generations of Qualcomm chips, suggesting that future phones with Snapdragon flagship and mid-range chipsets will also benefit from extended update guarantees.

What this doesn’t imply

It’s important to note that this announcement doesn’t automatically extend the software update promise for existing devices running on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.

Therefore, don’t anticipate immediate eight-year update assurances for devices like the OnePlus 13 or Xiaomi 15, as implementing such changes would require additional effort from manufacturers who have already outlined their update policies for early 2025 devices.

Additionally, not every future Snapdragon 8 Elite device will necessarily come with an eight-year update commitment. Smartphone OEMs will still need to take the necessary steps to enable extended updates, with Qualcomm simply facilitating the process.