Qualcomm & Google Extend Android Update Support
freecores.com – Qualcomm has announced a major collaboration with Google to extend Android software support, ensuring that future devices powered by the latest Snapdragon chipsets will receive updates for up to eight years. This partnership aims to enhance device longevity, security, and performance, providing users with a more consistent and reliable Android experience.
According to Qualcomm’s press release, this initiative applies to smartphones running on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform and the upcoming Snapdragon 7 series chips set for release later this year. This means flagship devices such as the OnePlus 13, Samsung Galaxy S25 series, Xiaomi 15, Honor Magic 7 Pro, and Asus ROG Phone 9 are all expected to benefit from this extended update policy.
This new initiative marks a significant step forward for Android users, addressing one of the ecosystem’s biggest challenges—limited software support compared to Apple’s iOS devices. By extending update timelines, Qualcomm and Google are helping users keep their devices secure and up to date for nearly a decade.
With this announcement, Android users can now expect longer-lasting software and security updates, ensuring that their devices remain optimized for years. The extended support period also benefits sustainability efforts by reducing e-waste and encouraging users to keep their devices for longer instead of upgrading frequently.
By prioritizing extended support, Qualcomm and Google aim to make Android devices more competitive in the long term, offering an experience closer to Apple’s update policies. This collaboration reinforces Google’s commitment to enhancing Android’s ecosystem while allowing manufacturers to provide a more stable and future-proof experience for their users.
With smartphones playing an increasingly essential role in everyday life, this update policy ensures that flagship Android devices remain relevant, secure, and efficient for years to come.
Qualcomm and Google have announced a groundbreaking initiative to extend Android system and security updates for up to eight years on devices powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite and upcoming Snapdragon 7 series chipsets. This marks a major shift in the Android ecosystem, ensuring long-term software support for flagship smartphones.
Unlike previous update policies, this initiative will also include kernel updates, which are fundamental to the operating system. By integrating core software upgrades directly into Qualcomm’s chipset support, manufacturers can deliver updates more efficiently and cost-effectively without relying on outdated firmware.
Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform at Google, highlighted the benefits of this collaboration:
“Through this partnership, OEMs can seamlessly update software and security on their devices, ensuring a more secure and long-lasting Android experience for users.”
With this shift, Android smartphones will now have software longevity that rivals Apple’s iOS update policy, reducing fragmentation and enhancing device security.
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This extended support will empower manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, and Asus to provide long-term updates, making flagship devices more reliable and future-proof. Previously, only Google’s Pixel 8 series and Samsung’s latest Galaxy S models offered such extended updates, but now, Qualcomm is bringing that same level of support to a wider range of Android devices.
By ensuring consistent updates for nearly a decade, this initiative enhances user security, performance, and sustainability, reducing electronic waste by encouraging longer device lifespans. As Android users demand more longevity from their devices, Qualcomm and Google are setting a new standard for the industry, bridging the gap between hardware and software support.
This shift signals a new era for Android, where users can expect faster, more seamless updates, fewer software compatibility issues, and enhanced device longevity—without compromising on performance.
Qualcomm has announced a significant expansion of Android software and security update support, offering up to eight years of updates for smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite and upcoming Snapdragon 7 series chipsets. However, while this move sets a new standard for long-term software support, the final decision rests with device manufacturers.
This means that brands like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Honor will decide individually whether their devices will receive extended updates. While Qualcomm provides the framework for long-term software support, manufacturers must choose to implement it, potentially leading to variations in update policies across different brands and models.
Despite Google’s and Qualcomm’s push for longer software lifecycles, the inconsistency in OEM implementation could leave some users uncertain about their device’s long-term support. Google’s Pixel 8 series already offers seven years of updates, and Samsung has matched this for its latest flagship devices. However, other brands may opt for shorter update cycles based on their software strategies.
For consumers, this announcement means that hardware capabilities are no longer the limiting factor—instead, software longevity now depends on individual manufacturers. This shift highlights the growing importance of buying from brands committed to long-term support, as extended updates improve security, stability, and overall device longevity.
Ultimately, this initiative gives Android users greater potential for software longevity, but it also reinforces the need for manufacturers to prioritize long-term support over short-term upgrade cycles.
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Qualcomm’s collaboration with Google introduces extended Android update support, allowing customers to keep their devices for longer rather than upgrading every couple of years. This initiative brings a major advantage for upcoming phones featuring the Snapdragon 7-series chips, ensuring that mid-range and budget devices receive long-term software and security updates, a benefit previously reserved for flagship models.
This shift aligns with growing consumer demand for device longevity, helping users save money and reduce electronic waste. By extending software support, Qualcomm and Google make it possible for users to experience better security, improved performance, and enhanced features without being forced into frequent hardware upgrades.
Chris Patrick, Qualcomm’s Senior Vice President of Mobile Handsets, emphasized the impact:
“This move raises the bar, providing more flexibility for our OEMs and enhancing user experiences.”
Despite this positive development, Qualcomm confirmed that older devices lacking the latest Snapdragon chipsets will not benefit from extended support. This means users with previous-generation smartphones may need to upgrade sooner than expected to continue receiving the latest Android updates and security patches.
“Legacy platforms cannot take advantage of the extended support. However, Qualcomm will continue to collaborate with OEMs on software support needs for older platforms across product lines,” Qualcomm stated in its official press release.
While this announcement is a step in the right direction, it highlights the tech industry’s ongoing challenge—finding a balance between supporting older hardware and driving new device sales. Consumers will now need to carefully consider software longevity when purchasing a smartphone, ensuring that their device will remain usable and secure for years to come.
