Qualcomm Aims at Expanding Android Phone Support

A collaboration between Google and Qualcomm may lead to an increasing number of Android phones with extended software and security support.

According to a recent Qualcomm-Google deal, more Android phones may soon get longer lifetime support upgrades. Android phones running on upcoming Snapdragon 8 and Snapdragon 7-series chips will have access to “up to eight consecutive years of software and security updates,” Qualcomm said on Monday.

The main goal of this collaboration is for the two businesses to provide up to eight years of consecutive software and security upgrades for devices with Snapdragon CPUs. Phones with flagship-grade Snapdragon Elite 8 chipsets will be the first to be included in this endeavor; the relationship will span the following five generations of Qualcomm CPUs.

As Android expert Mishall Rahman notes, Qualcomm mentions the year of a device’s debut, thus the phrase “eight consecutive years” is a little deceptive in this case. Accordingly, the smartphone may receive seven years of Android version upgrades while maintaining eight years of support, putting the number of Android phones in line with Google’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, which have seven years of support.

According to Qualcomm, “this software support can lower costs for OEMs interested in supporting their devices longer and can show consumers the advantages of Snapdragon mobile processors and software support.” Support for platform software included in the program will be made available to OEMs for eight consecutive years, including both Android OS and kernel upgrades, without requiring significant changes or upgrades to the platform and OEM code on the device.

In October, Qualcomm announced intentions to expand its support, beginning with smartphones that ran on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform. This covers the Xiaomi 15 Series, OnePlus 13, Asus ROG Phone 9, and Samsung Galaxy S25 series.

This was partly hampered by a lack of software and security support, but because devices like the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 series now have support for more than seven years, such issues may be relegated to the virtual bone orchard.

Though it’s crucial to remember that eligible phones are not certain of receiving enhanced support updates, today’s announcement expands that service to other chipsets. Although Qualcomm asserts that it is ultimately up to device makers to determine whether they offer it on certain phone models, this upgrade makes it simpler and more economical for phone manufacturers to give users extended support.

“Without requiring major modifications or upgrades to the platform and OEM code on the device, OEMs will have access to support for platform software included in this program for eight years in a row, including both Android OS and kernel upgrades,” Qualcomm stated.

Qualcomm has announced that phones using outdated Snapdragon CPUs would not be eligible for future support upgrades. Very few phones are expected to remain in use for the whole eight years, which is the largest disclaimer to all of this beyond hope that device makers would really install the expanded support upgrade. However, the option will be available if you’re dedicated to minimizing e-waste and fixing your Android phone on a regular basis.

There are two “buts” to this scenario, though. First, phone makers are ultimately in charge of determining how to deploy software support; some are still trailing behind, and even OnePlus has acknowledged that it doesn’t think it’s necessary to offer software support for more than four years.

With a lithium-ion battery that is likely to have worn out in that time and struggle to hold a decent charge for a phone unless it is replaced, and software advancements like baked-in AI features tend to demand more powerful chips, the second builds upon the latter point. Eight years is an age for a smartphone. Therefore, most people’s smartphones are unlikely to last eight years unless they use them extremely infrequently and don’t care about the newest software features.

However, since it doesn’t appear that the demand for smartphones is going away anytime soon, this collaboration between Google and Qualcomm is a step in the right direction toward making smartphones more environmentally friendly at a time when concerns are growing about electronic waste and the effects of technology. Speaking of which, if you’re looking to buy a new gadget, have a look at our compilation of the top phones.

But if you’re serious about keeping your phone functional and reducing e-waste, this could help. If the manufacturer agrees, you will be able to fix and maintain your equipment for a much longer time since it will continue to get critical software updates and security patches.