There is no single security-update lifespan for all Android phones, and Apple does not promise one fixed number of years for every iPhone. Google promises seven years of updates for Pixel 8 and later, counted from each model’s first availability on the US Google Store. Samsung specifies seven years of security updates for the Galaxy S24 series; for the Galaxy S26+, it says the seven-year period starts at global launch. Apple’s release notices show that some older iPhones still receive specific security fixes, but do not establish a standard support term for every iPhone.
What the published policies promise
| Manufacturer and models | Security-update commitment or evidence | Other updates specified | When the period starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 8 and later | Seven years of updates, including security enhancements. Google’s policy applies to these models, not all Android phones. Google Pixel update policy | Google describes the updates as including OS updates, bug fixes and more. In its October 4, 2023 announcement, Google said Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro would receive the latest Android OS, security updates and Feature Drops for seven years. Google’s announcement | The date each device first became available on the Google Store in the US. |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 series | Seven years of security updates. Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report 2024 | Seven generations of OS upgrades. | The cited report states the commitment but does not specify a start point in the cited evidence. |
| Samsung Galaxy S26+ | Seven years of security updates. Samsung Galaxy S26+ Product Environmental Report | Seven generations of OS upgrades. | Global launch date. |
| Apple iPhone | Apple’s cited documentation does not promise one fixed support duration for every iPhone. Its May 11, 2026 iOS 16.7.16 notice lists iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, demonstrating a security release for those older models—not a guaranteed lifespan for all iPhones. Apple iOS 16.7.16 notice | Security fixes can arrive for an older iOS version; they are distinct from upgrades to the newest major iOS version. | No universal start point or duration is stated in the cited Apple notices. |
Why “years of support” needs context
A headline number is useful only when you know what it counts. Security patches address security issues; major OS upgrades move a phone to a newer Android or iOS version; feature updates add or change capabilities. A manufacturer may specify more than one of these, and the terms are not interchangeable. Samsung’s cited commitments separately state a number of security-update years and a number of OS-upgrade generations. Apple’s release of iOS 16.7.16 for older models illustrates that a security fix can be issued on an older OS line rather than only through the newest major iOS release. Apple security releases
Also check when the clock starts. Google counts from first US Google Store availability for Pixel 8 and later; Samsung’s Galaxy S26+ report counts from global launch. Those start points can differ from the date you buy a phone. The Galaxy S24 report cited here does not state its start point, so do not assume one from the seven-year figure alone.
How to check support for a phone you own or plan to buy
- Identify the exact model. A commitment for one Pixel generation or Galaxy series does not automatically cover every phone from the same brand. Confirm the model and, where relevant, its regional variant against the manufacturer’s terms.
- Read the policy for both update types. Look for security-update duration, OS-upgrade commitment, and the event that starts the support period. Do not treat “seven years” and “seven OS generations” as equivalent.
- Check whether updates are arriving now. On a Pixel, Google says to check the Android version and security update level in Settings; its support page explains the update information. Google Pixel support Google’s Pixel Update Bulletins say Pixel OTA updates begin on the same day the monthly bulletin is released; that describes Google’s Pixel channel, not identical timing for every Android maker, carrier or model. Pixel Update Bulletins
- For an iPhone, check Apple’s notice for the specific release. Apple’s September 28, 2026 iOS 26.7.1 notice lists iPhone 11 and later for that update. An eligible-device list describes that release; it is not a future support guarantee. Apple iOS 26.7.1 notice
- Confirm the terms where you live. Google’s cited availability rule refers to the US Google Store, and Samsung’s cited Galaxy S26+ report measures from global launch. Check the applicable regional model and manufacturer terms rather than assuming every market has identical conditions.
What happens when security support ends?
A phone may continue to turn on and run apps after its manufacturer stops issuing security patches, but continued operation is not the same as continued security support. The cited policies do not establish that an unsupported phone is safe for sensitive use, nor does a long support commitment guarantee perfect security. Keep the operating system current and install available security updates; if a phone no longer receives them, take that into account when deciding whether to keep using it for sensitive accounts or information.
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What the evidence does—and does not—show
The documented seven-year commitments are model-specific examples, not an Android-wide rule or an industry average. Apple’s dated release notices establish that particular older models received particular updates, not a predictable annual schedule or a fixed iPhone lifespan. For any purchase or device already in use, the useful answer comes from the exact model’s policy, its support start date and whether it is still receiving patches.
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