Google and Qualcomm offering up to eight years of updates on newer Android devices

Feb 27, 2025

Google and Qualcomm partner to offer 8 years of updates for Android devices.

Google and Qualcomm offering up to eight years of updates on newer Android devices

: Google and Qualcomm have partnered to offer up to eight years of software and security updates for newer Android devices. This extended support will apply to devices using the Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform, with Android 15 being the first to benefit. While the decision to implement this support lies with device manufacturers, older models won't benefit from the plan. Qualcomm stated this move is in line with safety initiatives and existing support standards.

Google and Qualcomm have announced an ambitious partnership to provide extended software and security updates for Android devices, aiming for up to eight years of support. This initiative focuses on devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform, a chip revealed on October 22, 2024, now found in phones such as the OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25.

Android 15 will be the inaugural operating system version to receive these extended updates, with future support for devices equipped with Snapdragon 8 and 7-series processors expected later in the year. Although this development represents a significant step forward, the adoption of the prolonged support plan will ultimately depend on OEM manufacturers’ discretion.

Qualcomm noted that legacy systems-on-chip would not qualify for this program, aligning their support strategy with prominent U.S. and European security initiatives. Samsung and Google already extend their updates to seven years, following practices similar to those of Microsoft within the Windows ecosystem.