GOOD CALL
Samsung promises SEVEN years of free Android upgrades for selected phones – and more are expected to follow
See the full list of eligible devices below
SAMSUNG is making smartphones last longer with a pledge to keep providing Android updates on certain devices for at least seven years.
Android updates allow users to keep enjoying some of the latest features, so this approach will keep handsets fresher for longer.
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More crucially, the drive provides seven years of security upgrades as well, ensuring that you're safe from any bugs or issues that come up.
Ultimately, these help extend a smartphone's lifespan so you're less likely to buy a new one - though you'll still need to take care of it to avoid critical physical damage.
At the start of the year, Samsung announced new Galaxy S24 handsets with the promise of seven years of operating system and security updates.
And the firm has continued the trend with its latest additions, the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.
The duo were officially unveiled at an event in Paris on Wednesday with new AI features and some smaller hardware upgrades.
Samsung's much-hyped AI translation tools are no longer restricted to the company's own apps, announcing that they will work on third party apps too soon.
There's also new AI noise suppression so that translations are clearer.
The tech giant has made some improvements for photography lovers too, with auto zoom to detect the subject and automatically zoom to capture the best angle when the Flip is in flex cam mode.
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And AI powered portraits can transform your photos with fun alternative art styles as well.
Samsung's seven year pledge follows a similar move by Google which offers the same amount.
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The company hasn't said whether it plans to keep up that figure for future releases.
But for now, you can expect seven years from the date of release on the following devices:
- Galaxy S24
- Galaxy S24+
- Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Galaxy Z Flip 6
Who offers free updates longest?
The longer you receive updates, the longer you can safely continue using your smartphone - with the latest features thrown in too for free.
Samsung
For the latest premium Galaxy phones released in 2024, Samsung says it will provide at least seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates.
OnePlus
At the launch of the OnePlus 12, OnePlus committed to at least four years of Android updates and five years of security updates.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi offers four years off Android updates and five years security updates.
Google
For the Pixel 8, Google said that devices would receive at least seven years of support.