Software updates
Updates help a phone stay useful.
What it means
Updates help a phone stay useful.
Two kinds of update
OS upgrades add features; security updates fix weaknesses.
Check the starting date
Check when the promise starts, usually at launch.
Understand support limits
A support promise is not a guarantee for every app.
Before you buy
A pledge starts at launch. Four promised years do not mean four years remain today. Count OS upgrades separately from security support; confirm the exact model and end date with the manufacturer.
A pledge starts at launch. Four promised years do not mean four years remain today. Count OS upgrades separately from security support; confirm the exact model and end date with the manufacturer.
Makers promise two things: OS upgrades (new Android or iOS versions with new features) and security updates (fixes that keep your data safe).
Banking and UPI apps can stop supporting old software versions, so a phone with longer support stays usable for longer. It also tends to resell for more.
What is a good promise?
Some brands now promise six or seven years of updates on their flagships. Budget phones often get two or three OS upgrades. If you keep phones for four years or more, give this a lot of weight.
Updated 6 Oct 2026. Illustrations explain concepts; they are not product tests.