It appears producers are lastly getting the message that individuals wish to use their equipment for longer with out safety points, as Qualcomm has mentioned it will present Android software program updates, together with vulnerability fixes, for its newest chipsets for eight years as a substitute of 4.
Lack of assist for older equipment has been an enormous ache for many who are proud of non-cutting-edge {hardware} that works nicely sufficient, however nonetheless need safety patches and different bug fixes and are not too fussed about new performance. Now Qualcomm, which gives chips for a lot of the main Android smartphone makers, is doubling down, maybe recognizing that all of us stay in thriftier instances. Or we’re uninterested in gadgets being menaced by safety holes.
“Qualcomm Applied sciences is worked up to take this step ahead, working intently with Google to facilitate the most recent Android OS upgrades on gadgets with Snapdragon,” mentioned Chris Patrick, GM of cell handsets on the chip biz, this week.
“With this development, we’re elevating the bar, offering extra flexibility for our OEMs and finally enhancing person experiences. We’re excited to see extra OEM gadgets that assist Android OS longevity quickly.”
There are, as ever, some phrases and circumstances. The eight-year pledge solely applies to gadgets utilizing Arm-compatible Snapdragon 8 Elite silicon and working Android 15, such because the Samsung Galaxy S25 that The Register had a play with final month. Future iterations of the Snapdragon 8 and 7-series that’ll ship later this 12 months can even be coated by the brand new association.
Additionally, it’s totally a lot all the way down to who you purchase from. Qualcomm will make Android software program updates obtainable, nevertheless it’s all the way down to gadget makers to truly observe by means of and push these patches to individuals’s handsets. Nevertheless, “Qualcomm Applied sciences is already seeing commitments from OEMs to maintain their gadgets obtainable to shoppers for longer,” the US silicon shifter mentioned.
As even a cursory take a look at the month-to-month Android patch releases reveals, Qualcomm does a variety of fixing up. And whereas Google is now utilizing its personal Tensor processor silicon (supported by the net large for seven years) for the most recent within the Pixel smartphone line, it nonetheless makes use of a variety of Qualcomm elements, that means future Google gadgets will profit from the eight-year promise.
“Qualcomm Applied sciences’ efforts to increase the lifespan of Android gadgets are a key step for growing the longevity of smartphones,” mentioned Seang Chau, GM of Android Platform. “By way of this collaboration, OEMs can extra seamlessly replace the software program and safety on their gadgets, making certain a safer and long-lasting Android expertise for our customers.”
It is excellent news for different producers, reminiscent of Samsung and OnePlus, who replace the software program for his or her Android-powered choices often, as Qualcomm says it is going to present them “two upgrades to the cell platform’s Android Widespread Kernel (ACK) to assist the eight-year window.”
“The kernel is the core of each OS, and these ACK kernel upgrades for Android OS will enable OEMs to supply safety for his or her gadgets longer,” Qualy added. It’s going to additionally put stress on these producers who’ve been tardy with updates – we’re taking a look at you Sony, with simply two years of assist on some handsets. ®
