Future Galaxy Smartphones Could Receive 8 Major Android OS Updates

Previously, Samsung led the industry by promising four major Android updates and extended this commitment to seven updates for its Galaxy S24. Now, the partnership between Google and Qualcomm introduces the potential for eight years of updates by leveraging Snapdragon processors.

This initiative will begin with devices that feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip launched with Android 15. Qualcomm’s new program includes improvements to the Android Common Kernel (ACK), enabling brands like Samsung to implement these extended updates without substantial modifications to their systems.

While this advancement allows for longer software support, it is not guaranteed that all Android manufacturers will choose to adopt the 8-update framework, especially for mid-range or affordable models. The program extends over the next 5 generations of devices and will also include future Snapdragon 7 and 8 series chips.

Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Mobile Handsets division at Qualcomm Technologies, emphasized the importance of this collaboration:

"Qualcomm Technologies is excited to take this step forward, working closely with Google to facilitate the latest Android OS upgrades on devices with Snapdragon. With this advancement, we are providing more flexibility for our OEMs, and ultimately enhancing user experiences."