Key Points
- Apple guarantees five years of updates for the iPhone 15, less than Samsung’s promise for the Galaxy S24 series.
- Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series will receive seven major Android OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.
- Apple’s longstanding update strategy may still keep them competitive, despite the new regulation in the UK.
Apple’s latest iPhone 15 models are set to receive software support for a minimum of five years. This period is potentially shorter than the promised update span for Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, which includes the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra.
Historically, Apple has been the benchmark for mobile device updates, offering around five major iOS updates and over seven years of security patches, exemplified by the ongoing support for the iPhone 7, launched in 2016. However, Samsung has now upped the ante with the Galaxy S24 series, committing to seven major Android OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.
While Apple may consider adopting a similar approach in the future, it currently adheres to a minimum five-year support window for the iPhone 15 series, as disclosed in compliance with a new UK regulation. This defined support period starts from the first supply date, implying no guaranteed updates after 2028. Nonetheless, Apple’s track record suggests they will likely extend security updates beyond this period, as seen with older models.
Samsung’s aggressive update policy might extend to future models like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. However, to truly surpass Apple, Samsung would need to apply this extended support to their mid-range devices. As of now, Apple’s comprehensive update strategy remains a strong competitor, despite Samsung’s recent advancements.
