Galaxy S24: how many years of software support?،
Samsung is stepping up its efforts and now offering a solid 7 (seven!) years of support for the just announced product.
double. That should mean seven generations of operating system upgrades and seven years of security updates.
- It comes with One UI6.1/Android 14 out of the box;
- It is supposed to receive Android 21;
- It is supposed to cover you until 2031.
Is it a lot or not?
At the very beginning of October 2023, when Google introduced the Pixel 8 duo, the search engine giant made an eyebrow-raising promise. Google said it now offers a full seven years of software support, including Android OS upgrades, security updates, and regular Google feature drops (plus 7 years of support on spare parts), which means that the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will be supported until 2030. This announcement immediately sparked a ton of related rumors, discussing and suggesting Samsung's response. Less than a week later, Shin-Chul Baik, senior engineer and technical program manager for Samsung's Mobile eXperience division security team, shared some of Samsung's plans and said the company was “actively discussing » of what should be done to provide the Galaxy. owners with “long-term security updates” for “more than five years of support.”
Samsung's seven-year support comes with the usual disclaimer that availability and timing of Android OS upgrades and security updates may vary by device model and walk.
Currently, Samsung delivers software security updates on an impressive scale: more than 150 Samsung devices receive security updates according to its monthly, quarterly and semi-annual release schedules in markets around the world.
And Apple?
Until Google threw everyone into the void with the seven-year promise, Apple was way ahead in the software support game. Since it uses its own chipsets, the Cupertino giant can decide the duration of the updates and make them last over time. For example, Apple released the iPhone XR and iPhone the iPhone 15 Pro which will be Apple's champions for most of 2024.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S9 (also released in 2018) stopped receiving updates in March 2022.
What is Extended Software Support for?
Even if you're the type to change your phone each year and don't care about the longer years of support, the benefits are hard to ignore.
First of all – money. Yes, money. More years of support will serve you well when the time comes to resell.
Extensive software/security support means the device automatically benefits from a longer lifespan if the hardware is correct. Many people say that a phone's battery will seriously degrade after 5-7 years of use, making extensive OS and security support unnecessary. Maybe, but the battery replacement procedure is a breeze if you take the phone to a repairman who knows his stuff.
Not to mention that in mid-2023, the European Parliament approved a new law to make phone batteries easily replaceable by 2027. You won't even need to take your phone to the repair shop…
Before the “money” factor, it should be emphasized (with a brush dipped in red) that software/security updates are essential when it comes to the proper functioning of a phone. They respond to vulnerabilities and security threats – this is how security gaps are patched, protecting users from possible cyberattacks and data breaches.
Then there's the “I really like my device and the way it works…and I don't want to get used to another phone” argument, which is what people really mean when they say “No, Is it okay” after you ask them. Buddy, aren’t you finally going to give up that medieval phone?!”
Again, extended support equals a device that can live longer and more fully. Those of us who have gotten used to our phones will greatly appreciate it.
And finally, it's cheaper to keep a phone running for two years, then give it to your kids or parents and rest assured the device will be supported for a few more years.
Of course, longer software support won't magically transform your aging, gracefully silver phone into today's cutting-edge war machine. Also, don't expect all (if any) of the upcoming AI benefits of the rest of the coming decade to be enabled on your phone, even if they are up to date and supported.
Pre-orders begin today, January 17, 2024, through January 30, 2024.
