How long do flagship mobile phones from Apple and Samsung take to update after launch? See comparison
June 8
2024
– 10:06 pm
(Updated 9/6/2024 at 1:39 PM)
Longevity is a key factor in the iPhone (apple) and Galaxy (Samsung) in the mobile phone market: in addition to specifications hardwareIt is important to monitor when the models will receive system and security updates after launch. This ensures access to the latest versions of iOS and Android for years after purchase.
a Apple recently confirmed that it offers updates for at least five years Security from the year of launch, but it has not yet been stated whether there is a maximum coverage period nor exactly which models fall into this calculation. As a result, the company lagged behind its competitor Samsung among the top models, as the South Korean manufacturer guaranteed seven years of updates for the line. Galaxy S24launched in early 2024.
Apple vs Samsung: Which company offers more years of updates?
Hey Canaltech Comparison of the strategies adopted by Apple and Samsung to analyze which phones have the longest update cycle.
apple
By default, every iPhone has at least five years of guaranteed security updates starting from the year of release — that means the latest model, iPhone 15 Pro Maxstarting in 2023, will receive updates until at least 2028.
However, when it comes to the iOS update cycle, the company is not in the habit of releasing these updates OS For devices more than five years old. For comparison, the oldest iPhone compatible with iOS 17 (from 2023) is iPhonereleased in 2018.
In other words, older mobile phones may receive security updates and bug fixes after this period, but they will definitely not be able to move between iOS generations.
Hey Canaltech He reached out to Apple for further clarification, but received no response.
Samsung
Samsung changed the game in 2024, announcing the deadline for Seven years of OS updates and security patches guaranteed for the Galaxy S24 line – It is the same warranty you provide Google For in-line models Pixel 8It will be launched at the end of 2023.
Later, the manufacturer announced that some devices with Enterprise Edition versionaimed at enterprises, has also gained the same life cycle, which includes models Galaxy Xcover 7Galaxy S24 and Galaxy Tab Active5.
When considering only the commercial version of devices (i.e. available in stores to the general public), the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra They are the only models covered by a seven-year life cycle so far.
To respond to Canaltech“The Galaxy S24 line continues the company’s commitment to extending the lifecycle of products, offering seven operating system updates and seven years of security updates to help people reliably experience optimal performance of Galaxy devices for longer,” Samsung commented.
On the other hand, the period is shorter for the brand's mid-range mobile phone line, which receives up to four generations of Android updates and up to five years of security updates. Samsung adopted this procedure in 2022, and is still applying the life cycle for models that will be launched in 2024, as is the case with Galaxy A15 5G It's from Galaxy M55 5G.
The final result
Samsung has an advantage over Apple when the dispute comes down to each company's flagship products: The Galaxy S24 has seven years of guaranteed updates, while the Galaxy S24 has seven years of guaranteed updates. iPhone 15 Its minimum term is five years, but it is not possible to confirm whether it will go much further.
When comparing the iPhone with Samsung, Apple has an advantage in terms of OS update time: five years of iOS exceeds the minimum of four years of Android generations for models in the Galaxy A and M lines. Moreover, it is worth remembering that Apple Samsung releases an OS update on the same day for all compatible devices, while Samsung may take months to distribute the new Android system to its entire device lineup.
Why is it important?
It is true that people change their mobile phones frequently, but the life cycle must be taken into consideration when purchasing a device launched in recent years. The person who decides to buy a iPhone 14 In 2024, for example, you know you can count on iOS updates until 2027, so the model is more than worthy of attention. iPhone 11 or iPhone 12which is already in the final stage of the course.
OS updates are becoming more complex and this can overload the hardware of older devices, so it's worth maintaining a balance for long-term device use and getting the best value for money.
Speaking of which, Apple is yet to confirm the list of compatible models, but you can check out a preview of the phones that It can receive the update to iOS 18 In 2024.
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