How Many Years of Software Updates Will Your Phone Get? How to Check Before Buying

OS upgrades and security patches are not the same thing. Here is what Google, Samsung, Apple, OnePlus and Xiaomi officially promise, and how to check a phone's update support before you buy.

By Gadget Soch·16 Oct 2026·7 min read

Two phones with similar specs can age very differently. One keeps getting new Android or iOS versions and security fixes for years; the other stops while it still works well. Since many people in India keep a phone for three to five years, and often pass it on to family after that, update support is worth checking before you buy.

This guide explains OS upgrades versus security patches, sums up what major brands’ official pages say, and lists the fine print. We checked every policy below on 16-17 October 2026. Policies change, so check the official page again before you pay.

Quick answer

OS upgrades are new Android or iOS versions with new features. Security patches fix vulnerabilities. Brands often promise different periods for each.
Google says Pixel 8 and later get seven years of updates, counted from first availability on the US Google Store.
Samsung‘s security page says support runs “up to 7 years”. Its Galaxy A57 and A37 launch release promises up to six OS generations and six years of security updates.
Apple publishes no general number of years, but stated at least five years of security updates for the iPhone 15 Pro Max in a UK regulatory filing.
OnePlus and Xiaomi commit per model, so check the specific phone.
Most promises start at the model’s launch, not your purchase date.

OS upgrades vs security patches: what is the difference?

OS upgrades

An OS upgrade moves the phone to a new major version, for example from Android 16 to Android 17. Upgrades can bring new features, privacy controls and newer app support. Android brands usually pair each version with a new release of their own interface, such as Samsung One UI or Xiaomi HyperOS.

Brands count upgrades differently: “generations”, “major Android updates” or “years”. OnePlus clarified in 2025 that the Android version a phone ships with does not count as one of its promised upgrades. Always read how the brand counts.

Security patches

Security patches fix flaws that attackers could exploit through malicious apps, websites or messages. On Android they are labelled by month, such as “Security patch level: 1 October 2026”, and may arrive monthly or less often depending on the model.

For most people, security support matters more than OS upgrades. Missing new features is fine. Missing security fixes is a growing risk if you use the phone for UPI, banking, email or work.

Why the start date matters

Nearly every commitment counts from the model’s launch. Samsung’s A57 and A37 release says “from the first global launch”; Google counts from first US Google Store availability. Buy a model 18 months after launch and 18 months of the promise has already gone.

What official brand policy pages say (checked 16-17 October 2026)

Google Pixel

Google’s “About Pixel updates” page says Pixel 8 and later phones “will get updates for seven years” from when the device first became available on the US Google Store. The list covers the Pixel 8, 9, 10 and 11 series, including the Pixel 8a, 9a and 10a. The Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 series and Pixel Fold get five years from the same starting point, and Pixel 5a and earlier no longer receive updates. The page gives periods, not end dates.

Samsung Galaxy

Samsung’s mobile security page says: “As of January 2024, we are extending our security update support for Samsung Galaxy devices by up to 7 years.” “Up to” matters, because periods vary by model. A footnote says availability and timing “may vary by market, network provider and/or model”.

The page also groups phones by patch frequency. When we checked, the Galaxy S25 and S26 families were in the monthly group, while models such as the Galaxy A16 5G, M16 5G and F16 5G were quarterly. Samsung’s March 2026 release for the Galaxy A57 5G and A37 5G promises up to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades and up to six years of security updates, from first global launch. For other models, check that model’s launch release.

Apple iPhone

Apple has no simple “X years” policy page. In a 2024 document for the UK’s product security law (PSTI), Apple stated a minimum of five years of security updates for the iPhone 15 Pro Max from first supply, as SecurityWeek reported. That is a minimum, not a forecast.

Apple’s “Apple security releases” page shows that phones unable to run the newest iOS can still get fixes on an older version. When we checked, it listed iOS 18.7.10 for the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, and iOS 15.8.8 for older devices including the iPhone 6s. Apple does not say how long this continues for each model.

OnePlus

We could not find one official OnePlus page listing update periods, and the OnePlus 15 pages on oneplus.in showed no update commitment when we checked. OnePlus announces commitments model by model: for the OnePlus 13 and 13R it said in March 2025 they would get four major Android updates (Android 16 to 19) and six years of security updates, as 9to5Google reported. Look for a written commitment for the exact model.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO

Xiaomi publishes support information in its Product Security Center at trust.mi.com, under “Security updates for smartphones and tablets”. Notebookcheck reported that the page shows when updates end for each global device. Periods vary by model, and model names may differ between regions, so match your exact phone.

The fine print that shrinks a promise

“Up to” means some models get less than the headline figure.
Launch-based counting means a discounted older model has less support left.
Patch frequency can be monthly or quarterly, as Samsung’s page shows.
Market differences. Timing can vary by country and network provider.
Features are not guaranteed. A new OS version may skip features that need newer hardware.

Do any laws require updates?

In the European Union, the smartphone ecodesign regulation, Regulation (EU) 2023/1670, has applied since 20 June 2025. The European Commission’s FAQ says operating system updates (security, corrective and functionality) must be available for at least five years after a model stops being placed on the EU market. We could not find an equivalent requirement for phones sold in India, so Indian buyers still rely on each brand’s own commitment.

How to check before you buy

Find the official policy for the exact model: a brand support or security page, or the launch press release. A shop listing is not enough.
Note whether it covers OS upgrades, security patches or both.
Check the launch date and subtract the time already gone.
Check how often patches arrive for that model.
For Samsung, use its security updates page; for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, the Xiaomi Product Security Center; for Pixel, “About Pixel updates”.
Screenshot the policy with the date.
Remember that long software support does not stop batteries wearing out. Check battery replacement and service centres in your city too.

How to check the update status of a phone you already own

On Android, open Settings and look for “About phone” or “Software information” to see the Android version and security patch level (menu names vary by brand). If the patch date is many months old and “Check for updates” finds nothing, the phone may be near the end of support. On an iPhone, go to Settings, General, Software Update.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to use a phone that no longer gets security updates?

It will keep working, but new vulnerabilities found after support ends will not be fixed. The risk grows over time, especially for banking, UPI and work apps. Consider moving important accounts to a supported device.

Do budget phones get as many updates as flagships?

Not always. Some recent mid-range launches, such as Samsung’s Galaxy A57 and A37, promise up to six years, but patch frequency and promised periods often differ between price segments. Check the specific model.

What if I cannot find an official policy for a phone?

Treat that as a warning sign. Ask the brand or the retailer for a link to an official page or launch release that states the update period for that exact model. If nobody can show you one, assume support may be short and weigh that against the price.