Short answer: Google and Samsung now promise seven years of OS and security updates on their flagship lines — Pixel from the Pixel 8 generation, Galaxy from the S24 generation. That genuinely closes the gap with Apple at the top of the market. It does not apply to budget or mid-range Android phones, which still typically receive two to four years.
For anyone buying a renewed Galaxy or Pixel, the promise is what makes an older flagship viable. But you need to know which devices it covers.
Who promises what
| Brand | Devices covered | Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Pixel 8 series onward | 7 years of OS, security and feature drops |
| Samsung Galaxy | Galaxy S24 series onward, and recent foldables and flagship A-series | 7 years of OS and security updates |
| Older Pixel (Pixel 6–7) | — | 3 years OS, 5 years security |
| Older Galaxy S (S21–S23) | — | 4 years OS, 5 years security |
| Budget / mid-range Android | Most other brands | Commonly 2–3 years OS, 4–5 years security |
Check the exact generation before you buy. The difference between a Galaxy S23 and an S24 is not just a year of hardware — it is three additional years of OS support.
What “seven years” actually means
The clock starts at the device's launch, not at your purchase. A Pixel 8 launched in 2023 with a seven-year promise is supported to roughly 2030 — so buying one renewed today leaves around four years, not seven.
That is still a long runway, and it is the calculation that matters. Take the launch year, add seven, subtract the current year.
Also worth knowing: the promise covers OS versions and security patches. It does not guarantee every new feature reaches every supported device — on-device AI features in particular are often restricted to newer silicon, exactly as Apple restricts Apple Intelligence to newer iPhones.
Why brands started doing this
Short software support was Android's biggest structural disadvantage against the iPhone, and it hurt resale values badly. A phone with two years of support left is worth far less second-hand than one with five.
Longer support raises resale value, which lowers the effective cost of ownership, which makes the flagship easier to sell in the first place. Regulatory pressure in Europe around software support and repairability pushed in the same direction.
The effect on the renewed market has been significant. A four-year-old Galaxy S24 in 2028 will still be a supported, current device — something that was not true of a four-year-old Android in 2020.
What this means for buying a renewed Galaxy or Pixel
Three practical rules.
Check the generation, not the brand. “Samsung gives seven years” is true of the S24 onward and not of the S22. This is the single most common mistake buyers make in this category.
Calculate remaining years, not promised years. Launch year plus seven, minus today.
Weigh it against an iPhone at the same price. Apple's practical record is six to eight years of major updates, so at flagship level the two are now comparable. The decision comes back to ecosystem preference rather than longevity — which was not the case three years ago.
Renewed Android devices from Control Z carry a 12-month warranty, ship at 100% battery health and pass over 300 quality checks. Browse renewed Samsung devices or the full range.
Related: how many years of iOS updates each iPhone gets · cost per year of ownership
Frequently asked questions
Which Android phones get seven years of updates?
Google Pixel from the Pixel 8 series onward, and Samsung Galaxy from the S24 series onward, along with recent foldables and flagship A-series models. Most other Android phones receive considerably less.
Does the seven-year promise start from when I buy the phone?
No. It runs from the device's original launch date. A Pixel 8 launched in 2023 is supported to around 2030, so buying one renewed today leaves roughly four years rather than seven.
Do budget Android phones get seven years of updates?
No. Budget and mid-range Android devices typically receive two to three major OS updates and four to five years of security patches.
Is Android update support now as good as the iPhone?
At flagship level, broadly yes. Google and Samsung's seven-year commitments are comparable to Apple's practical record of six to eight years. The gap remains wide in the budget segment.
Will a supported Android phone get every new feature?
Not necessarily. The commitment covers OS versions and security patches. Newer on-device AI features are often limited to more recent chips, in the same way Apple restricts Apple Intelligence to newer iPhones.
