When you buy an Android phone, the number of years it will get updates is as important as the chipset. However, every brand have different update promises and the details change from one model to another. So I went through the official update policy of major Android brands and put together this guide on how many Android upgrades and security patches each phone actually gets.
OS Upgrades vs Security Updates: Know the Difference
Before we move to individual brands, you need to understand that a brand's update promise is offered in two parts. An OS upgrade moves your phone to a new version of Android like going from Android 16 to Android 17. It brings new features, design and UI changes. A security update is a smaller patch, generally released on a monthly or quarterly basis that fixes security vulnerabilities.
Most Android brands now offer longer security patches than OS upgrades. For example, OnePlus promises four Android upgrades and six years of security patches. It means your phone will get security fixes for two more years even after receiving the last OS upgrade.
You also need to read the wording carefully. Companies are now saying "fast and smooth for X years". For instance, OnePlus says the OnePlus Nord CE 6 will be "Fast and Smooth for 6 years" which is a promise about system optimisation and not about software updates.
Finally, remember that the update window starts from the phone's launch date and not from the day you buy it. So if you buy a phone a year after launch, you will get one year less of support.
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Android Update Policy by Brand
Here, we have explained the Android update policy of each brand. Based on the Android phone you own, you can move to the suitable section.
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Google Pixel
Google has the simplest policy among all Android brands. Every Pixel phone (from the Pixel 8 onwards) gets seven years of Android OS upgrades and security updates. You also get new features through Pixel Drops. And it applies to affordable devices as well like the Pixel 8a, Pixel 9a and Pixel 10a.
The newly launched Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which are powered by the new Tensor G6 chipset, will receive updates till August 2033. The Pixel 10a, which launched in February 2026, is supported till early 2033.
That said, older Pixels have a shorter update window. The Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7a were later bumped to five years of OS and security updates. It means the Pixel 6a will stop getting updates in mid-2027. If you are still using one of these phones, check out our list of Pixel phones eligible for Android 17 before you plan an upgrade.
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Samsung
Along with Google, Samsung offers the longest software support across Android phones. Since the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung promises seven major Android versions and seven years of security patches on its flagship phones. This includes the Galaxy S24, S25 and S26 series, the Galaxy S24 FE, S25 FE and S26 FE and foldables starting with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.
The new Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8 are the first Samsung phones to ship with One UI 9 based on Android 17. And they get the same seven years of support. The Galaxy S26 series, which launched with One UI 8.5 based on Android 16, will be supported till 2033.
What makes Samsung stand out is its support for mid-range and budget phones. With the Galaxy A16, Samsung now promises six Android upgrades and six years of security patches on its Galaxy A phones. It includes the Galaxy A26, A36, A56, A37 and A57 and the Galaxy M16 and F16.
That said, Samsung moved the Galaxy A37 to quarterly security updates while the Galaxy A57 gets monthly patches. So the frequency of patches can differ even between two phones in the same series.
Note that Samsung phones launched before the new policy like the Galaxy S23 series are covered for four Android upgrades and security patches for five years. For the Galaxy S23 series, One UI 9 is the last major update. You can check our full list of Samsung phones eligible for One UI 9 to see where your phone stands.
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Vivo and iQOO
Among Chinese brands, Vivo has designed one of the best policies for software updates. The Vivo X300, X300 Pro and X300 Ultra will be updated to five newer Android versions and receive security patches for seven years. The mid-range phones like the Vivo V70 and V70 Elite get four Android upgrades and six years of security updates.
The iQOO 15 is promised five major Android updates and security patches for seven years. You can check our list of Vivo and iQOO phones eligible for OriginOS 7 to see if your phone is covered.
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Oppo
Oppo offers Android OS updates for five years for its flagship phones and the security support lasts for six years. The Reno 15 series is promised five years of major ColorOS updates and six years of security updates. However, Oppo does not explicitly say five Android versions here so there is that.
Bear in mind that ColorOS will now also power OnePlus and Realme phones. You can check our list of phones eligible for ColorOS 17 to see which Oppo, OnePlus and Realme devices are getting Android 17.
OnePlus
In July 2026, OnePlus confirmed that it's retiring OxygenOS in favour of ColorOS 17. Eligible phones in India will get the option to upgrade and there will be a rollback option to OxygenOS.
The OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R get four Android upgrades and six years of security updates. Next, the OnePlus 13 and 13R get the same update support and the OnePlus 11 and 12 get four OS upgrades and five years of security patches. You can explore the full list of OnePlus phones eligible for ColorOS 17.
In the mid-range segment, the OnePlus Nord 6 gets four Android upgrades and six years of security updates, which is great at its price. As for the company's future in India, OnePlus has denied reports of an exit and you can read our explainer on whether OnePlus is leaving the Indian market.
Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco
The Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which launched in India in March 2026, get five Android upgrades and six years of security updates. In the affordable segment, the Note series phones are promised four major Android updates along with six years of security patches. Earlier, you got only two OS upgrades and three years of security patches.
The budget Poco M8 Power gets the same four OS upgrades and six years of security patches. And the Redmi series is reported to get just two Android upgrades and four years of patches. You can go ahead and check our list of phones eligible for HyperOS 4 to see which Xiaomi phones are next in line to receive the latest update.
Nothing and CMF
The Nothing Phone (3) will get five major Android updates and seven years of security patches. It's the longest software commitment the brand has offered so far. The rest of the lineup, including the Phone (3a) series, Phone (4a), Phone (4a) Pro, Phone (4b) and CMF Phone 2 Pro, gets three Android upgrades and six years of security updates.
Nothing has also shown that it keeps its promises. The first Nothing Phone (1) received its final update in July 2026 after delivering updates it was promised at launch. You can check our list of phones eligible for Nothing OS 5.0 to see if your phone is covered.
Realme
Realme's GT 8 series is covered for four Android upgrades while security patches last for six years. Best of all, Realme has now extended the same update policy to the Realme 16 Pro and 16 Pro+, which were promised three upgrades and four years of patches. And some phones like the Realme 14, 15, P4 and P3 series have also received an extra year of support.
As mentioned above, just like OnePlus, Realme is retiring Realme UI in favour of ColorOS 17. However, existing phones will continue to get their promised upgrades.
Motorola
Of all the brands, Motorola has the most inconsistent update policy. The Motorola Signature and the Razr Fold are promised seven Android version upgrades and security support for seven years, which is excellent. However, Motorola's Razr flip phones, including the Razr 60 and Razr 60 Ultra, get only three Android upgrades and four years of security updates.
The Edge 70 is also limited to three Android upgrades while the popular Moto G lineup gets up to two upgrades and around three years of patches. You can go through our list of Motorola phones eligible for Android 17 to see if your phone is included.
Which Android Brand Has the Best Update Policy in 2026?
If software support is your number one priority, Google Pixel is the best choice as every Pixel since the Pixel 8 gets seven years of updates. Samsung is a close second and I think it's the best option in the mid-range segment. It offers six years of upgrades and patches on the Galaxy A series.
Among Chinese brands, Vivo and iQOO are currently offering the best update policy. Not to mention, Nothing also offers six years of patches even on its affordable phones. If you plan to keep your phone for more than four years, I would recommend getting phones from these brands.
Finally, follow our guide on how to check the Android version on your phone to learn more about your phone's support window.
