There is no single update lifespan for every phone or laptop. Official policies range from five or seven years for specified Google Pixel phones, to seven OS generations plus seven years of security updates for Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, to ten years for ChromeOS devices measured from platform release. Windows support is tied to the installed edition and version, while Apple’s published examples show past support—not a fixed future term for each new iPhone or Mac.
What “software updates” means
Two different kinds of updates affect how long a device remains current and protected:
- Operating-system (OS) upgrades add major versions and may introduce features or change how the device works.
- Security updates address vulnerabilities. A device may continue receiving security fixes after it stops getting major OS upgrades.
Compare these promises separately. For example, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 commitment specifies seven OS generations and seven years of security updates; those are related but not interchangeable measures. Samsung’s announcement also says availability and timing can vary by model.
Official update-support examples
| Device or platform | Published support | When the clock starts and what to check |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 8 and later listed phones | Seven years of OS and security updates | From first availability on the Google Store in the US; check the exact model and rollout eligibility. |
| Listed Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 families | Five years of updates | From first availability on the Google Store in the US; check the exact model. |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 series | Seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates | Samsung says timing and availability may vary by model. |
| ChromeOS devices | Ten years of updates | From platform release, not the date an individual buyer purchases the laptop. Check the model’s automatic-update end date. |
| Windows 11 Home and Pro laptops | No single laptop-wide term stated; support follows the Windows version and edition lifecycle | Check the installed version’s lifecycle and whether the laptop can install later supported versions. |
| Apple iPhone and Mac | No prospective fixed term for each new model established in the cited examples | Check model-specific compatibility and distinguish OS support from later security fixes. |
These are examples of published policies, not a guarantee that every update reaches every eligible device on the same day. Policies can differ by model, market, carrier, edition and rollout.
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How long do Google Pixel phones get updates?
Google’s current policy gives Pixel 8 and later phones seven years of OS and security updates, counted from when each model first became available on the Google Store in the US. Google’s listed devices include Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a and later models such as Pixel 10. Google states: “Pixel 8 and later phones will get updates for 7 years starting from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US.” Google’s Pixel support page lists eligible models and their support details.
The listed Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 families, including Pixel Fold and certain A-series devices, receive five years on the same start-date basis. Do not assume that a policy for one Pixel generation applies to all Google phones. Google also says updates roll out gradually and depend on carrier and device, so an eligible phone may not receive an update at the same time as another one.
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What is Samsung’s phone update commitment?
Samsung’s announcement for the Galaxy S24 series specifies seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. This commitment applies to the S24 series described in that announcement; it should not be generalized to every Samsung phone or older Galaxy generation. Samsung cautions that OS-upgrade and security-update availability and timing can vary by model. See the Galaxy S24 announcement for the scope of the statement.
How long do Chromebooks receive automatic updates?
Google’s ChromeOS Auto Update policy provides ten years of updates counted from the device’s platform release. A platform is a set of components selected for a device, so the support clock does not simply begin when a buyer opens the box. A Chromebook bought years after its platform release may therefore have less remaining support than a newly released platform.
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Use Google’s ChromeOS Auto Update policy to find the automatic-update end date for a particular model. Google warns that some older devices receiving extended updates may not support certain features and services.
How long do Windows laptops receive updates?
Windows laptop support depends on the Windows edition and version installed, rather than one universal number of years assigned to the laptop. Windows 11 Home and Pro follow Microsoft’s Modern Lifecycle Policy, and Microsoft’s lifecycle page lists support dates by version. Check the Windows 11 Home and Pro lifecycle for the relevant version.
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Microsoft’s September 29, 2026 announcement says Windows 11 version 26H2 continues the annual feature-update cadence and that installing it resets the support lifecycle for supported editions. The practical question is whether the laptop can install later supported Windows versions—not just how long the currently installed version is supported. See Microsoft’s Windows 11 2026 Update announcement for the update details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Apple’s update history does—and doesn’t—show
Apple’s June 2024 longevity paper gives historical compatibility examples: iOS 17 supported iPhone models introduced since 2018, and macOS Sonoma supported Mac computers introduced in 2017 or later. Apple also noted that in March 2024 it released an iOS 15 update covering the iPhone 6s, introduced in 2015. These examples show that OS-feature compatibility and later security fixes can have different timelines. They do not establish a guaranteed future support period for a newly purchased iPhone or Mac. Apple’s examples are in Longevity by Design.
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How to check a device before buying or relying on it
- Identify the exact model and software edition. A brand-wide or platform-wide claim may not apply to a particular phone, Chromebook, or Windows edition.
- Separate OS upgrades from security updates. Look for a stated duration or supported-version list for each, rather than treating “updates” as one promise.
- Find the clock’s start date. It may be first US Google Store availability, ChromeOS platform release, or the lifecycle start for a Windows version—not your purchase date.
- Check remaining support, not just the headline term. For a Chromebook, consult the model’s automatic-update end date; for Windows, check the installed version and the device’s ability to upgrade.
- Account for delivery and feature limits. Carrier and staged rollouts can affect when phone updates arrive, and some older Chromebooks on extended updates may lack certain features or services.
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