OnePlus insider explains Samsung, Google’s 7-Year Android Updates might be a scam

In an interview, OnePlus President, Kinder Liu, took a jibe at Samsung and Google’s 7-Year Android Updates commitment for their latest flagships. Liu shared facts saying “Simply offering longer software update policies completely misses the point.”

Last October, Google introduced its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, which will get 7 years of Android and security updates. The recently launched Galaxy S24 series follows the same approach, with Samsung promising 7-Year Android Updates and regular security patches.

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OnePlus has recently launched the OnePlus 12 in the global market. The device comes with four years of Android and five years of security update support. In the interview with Tom’sGuide, the President disclosed reasons why OnePlus doesn’t bring Samsung/Google-like software support.

Apart from this, the official explained that OnePlus conducted tests with TÜV SUD for the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R to simulate years of use. The results ensure that the new flagship will deliver a “fast and smooth” performance for four years.

Last but not least, Liu noted that the smartphone’s battery will start to degrade a few years after activation. In this case, how the device will be able to perform adequately after a period of four/five years? Meanwhile, advanced SoCs will lead you to upgrade to a new variant even earlier than usual.

“It’s not just software update policies that are important to the user, it’s the fluency of your phone’s user experience, too,” Liu explained, suggesting that longer software support doesn’t necessarily mean much if your smartphone’s hardware can’t perform at the same level.

He equated a smartphone to a sandwich and said, “Some manufacturers are now saying that the filling in their sandwich — their phone’s software — will still be good to eat in seven years’ time. But what they’re not telling you is that the bread in the sandwich, the user experience, might be moldy after four years. Suddenly, a seven-year software update policy doesn’t matter because the rest of your experience with the phone is terrible.”