It is easy to really feel like Android — and, actually, the complete smartphone enterprise — is caught in a rut. Yr in and yr out, we see sequels to the identical units as earlier than, often (although not all the time) with simply sufficient modifications to really feel worthy of an improve. It is a far cry from the earliest days of Android, the place virtually each smartphone got here with a wholly new design, an overhauled digicam system, and reimagined software program. Even jumps from the Galaxy S4 to the Galaxy S5 felt like totally new product traces.
Not a lot nowadays — the Pixel 9 lineup was most likely the largest year-to-year change in 2024, and it is nonetheless instantly recognizable as a Pixel. However fortunately, we did not lose all the pieces on this shift to gradual, incremental modifications in our smartphones. Maybe realizing that the majority smartphone customers will not need to spend upwards of a grand each 12 months, corporations like Samsung and Google have gotten critical about software program assist. Like, actually critical.
In 2025, the most well-liked Android units will all arrive with far-reaching durations of software program assist, an enormous improve even in contrast to a couple years in the past. Google and Samsung each supply seven years of OS and safety upgrades on a number of of their telephones, a transfer that first arrived with the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24, respectively. Google’s really gone one step farther, extending OS assist for practically each Tensor-powered Pixel machine, with the only real exception of the half-forgotten, half-disrespected Pixel Pill (sorry, Pixel Pill homeowners).
Just some years in the past, the idea of seven years of full OS assist — to not point out extending assist for older telephones — was utterly international on the planet of Android. Hell, I bear in mind being excited about Samsung’s four-year OS improve coverage, which arrived three years in the past alongside the Galaxy S22. Whereas the Galaxy S24 Extremely was costlier at launch than the S22 Extremely two years prior (and the S25 Extremely would possibly include yet one more worth improve), if you happen to think about its timeline of assist has practically doubled, you are getting much more out of your telephone for not all that rather more money. Not unhealthy.
Almost three years in the past, I requested AP readers how lengthy they might maintain onto their present smartphone in a world the place Android updates had been assured in perpetuity. It was, clearly, a easy thought experiment, with over 25 % of respondents selecting 5 years as their most popular lifespan. As of late, 5 years of OS assist is not only a risk — for many people, it is the true deal, with the choice to go even longer into the long run if you happen to’re not able to improve.
So, let’s take away the hypothetical on this scenario. How lengthy are you planning to maintain your present smartphone? Clearly, everybody’s present OS assist coverage will differ, with Pixel and Galaxy customers possible main the cost. Are you continue to planning on upgrading inside two years out of your preliminary buy? Are you holding onto your telephone for the utmost period of time? Or are you planning on doing one thing in between?
It is a resolution with no actual proper reply, however as 2025 kicks off in type — with a number of new flagships able to launch within the coming months — I am curious the place persons are falling on their timeline. And be happy to develop in your ideas within the feedback if these ballot choices do not suit your plans.