Samsung Galaxy S22 could get four years of Android updates — that’s a big deal

Samsung Galaxy S22 could get four years of Android updates — that'due south a big deal

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra front and back with S Pen

(Paradigm credit: Evan Blass)

If there's one primal disadvantage Android phones accept compared to the iPhone, information technology's the update situation. But the Samsung Galaxy S22 could make that state of affairs a fiddling bit less awkward, thanks to a rumour claiming the phone may come with four years of Android software updates and five years of security patches.

This is according to a leaked Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 printing release from long-time tipster Evan Blass. Co-ordinate to the leak the Galaxy S22 range, Galaxy S21 range, Milky way Tab S8 range, Galaxy Z Flip iii and Galaxy Z Fold 3 will exist entitled to all those extra updates.

Usually phone makers offer two years of Android software updates, three if they're lucky, plus an actress twelvemonth of security patches. Meanwhile, Apple tree currently offers iOS fifteen updates on phones as old as the iPhone 6S, which is coming upwardly to its 7th birthday.

Last year Samsung announced that all of the phones it released since 2019 would get four years of Android security updates — later revealing its newest phones would likewise get three major Android updates. Earlier this news the most people could look was iii years of support that came from buying one of Google's Pixel phones.

In other words, should this rumor pan out, it would be a huge bargain for Android owners, even if they personally don't intendance most the updates. While it'due south not quite as all-encompassing equally Apple tree'due south current level of support, having those actress years increases the longevity of Samsung's devices.

And so you don't need to upgrade quite as often to enjoy the best new features Android has to offer. It also ways keeping concur of an older device doesn't mean your phone is a security risk.

It's likewise interesting that this rumor arrived before long after the Pixel iii and Pixel 3 XL range received their final Android update. While the latest Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices will get iii years of Android updates and five years of security patches, the fact Samsung has outdone Google once more is a little bit embarrassing.

After all, Google is the company that owns and develops the Android OS. It should exist the visitor pushing the limits of how long a phone tin go on to get updates, not a tertiary party like Samsung.

Here'south just hoping that this news kicks Google into gear to effort and lucifer what Samsung has to offer. It might accept worked earlier, since the Pixel five has just three years of security updates compared to the Pixel 6's five. But at that place'due south no telling what the future might bring.

Me? I'm holding out hope that all the premium Android telephone makers follow suit. I'1000 non a big fan of Samsung products in general, but there's something clumsily tempting near a phone maker that doesn't seem to exist trying to push people to upgrade by withholding the latest software.

Tom is the Tom'south Guide's Automotive Editor, which means he can ordinarily exist plant knee deep in stats the latest and best electric cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. It'southward long way from his days equally editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He'southward unremarkably found trying to squeeze another giant Lego prepare onto the shelf, draining very big cups of coffee, or complaining that Ikea won't let him buy the stuff he really needs online.