With the Google Pixel 8 offering seven years of Android and security updates, Samsung is also considering extending its software support period for its devices.
Shin-Chul Baik, Principal Engineer and Technical Program Manager of the security team at Samsung’s Mobile eXperience division, recently indicated that the company is looking into the possibility of extending its current five-year security update policy.
Baik made this comment during the Samsung Developers Conference 2023 in San Francisco.
While Baik did not specify the duration Samsung is aiming for, if the plan comes to fruition, it could bring Samsung’s support level closer to Google’s, which includes seven years of Android OS upgrades, security updates, and regular Feature Drops for its Pixel phones.
Currently, Samsung provides four years of Android OS updates and five years of security patches for many of its top phones.
This potential extension is something Samsung fans have been requesting, so it’s encouraging to hear that the company is considering it.
However, there’s no guarantee that Samsung will actually implement longer update support, though the fact that they are contemplating it is a positive indication.
Security updates are crucial as they address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers to access devices and steal data. Samsung already leads the industry in software updates, and extending support further would be a significant advancement.
It’s important to note, however, that nothing has been finalized. Baik’s statement does not necessarily mean Samsung will extend beyond four major Android OS updates. The company might be focusing on offering additional security updates instead.
Regardless of whether Samsung extends its software support beyond five years, it’s evident that the company remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of its users.
