Chip giant Qualcomm announced this week that it’s working with Google to enable Android device manufacturers to provide security and other updates for up to eight years.
Until now, Qualcomm offered four years of security support for Android devices, but it now announced that it has been working with Google to enable manufacturers to increase the longevity of Android phones.
The company announced that smartphones powered by its Snapdragon 8 Elite chips will get up to eight consecutive years of Android software and security updates. Smartphones launching on new Snapdragon 8 and 7 series platforms will also be eligible for this extended support.
Ultimately it’s up to the OEM to take advantage of the offer and provide customers with all the software and security updates coming from Qualcomm.
“The program will also include two upgrades to the mobile platform’s Android Common Kernel (ACK) to support the eight-year window. The kernel is the core of every OS, and these ACK kernel upgrades for Android OS will allow OEMs to provide security for their devices longer,” Qualcomm explained.
“This level of support aligns with the key security initiatives in the US and EU aimed at improving the cybersecurity standards for hardware and software products,” it added.
Every Android security update includes patches for Qualcomm component vulnerabilities, including flaws that have been exploited in attacks, including as zero-days.
Google and Samsung have pledged to deliver security updates for seven years for their flagship Android devices.
Apple documentation released last year showed that the iPhone 15 and newer phones will receive security updates for a minimum of five years.
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