Key Points:
- Google and Samsung now offer a longer update period than Apple, reaching up to seven years.
- Apple is required by UK regulations to disclose its update support period, revealing a five-year guarantee.
- Apple’s transparency on update duration has been criticized, but it may respond by extending its update guarantees.
Google and Samsung have recently outpaced Apple in terms of software update commitments. For years, Apple has been lauded for its long-term update support, with many iPhones running the latest software. However, the landscape has shifted, bringing new leaders to the forefront.
Historically, Apple has never explicitly stated a guaranteed update period for iPhones. The company’s reputation for providing updates over an extended period has been its selling point, often highlighted in advertisements and used to critique competitors. However, new regulatory requirements in the UK have compelled Apple to publicly disclose the minimum duration of support for its devices. This disclosure has revealed that Apple guarantees updates for at least five years from the date of device delivery.
In contrast, Google and Samsung have stepped up their game, offering up to seven years of updates for their flagship models. This places Apple in a comparatively weaker position, at least on paper. A Google engineer has criticized Apple’s previous lack of transparency, arguing that consumers deserve to know the minimum duration of security support when purchasing electronic devices.
Looking ahead, it’s likely that Apple will adapt to this competitive pressure. An update guarantee is expected to be prominently featured in Apple’s future marketing. As the release of the next iPhone generation approaches this fall, it will be interesting to see if Apple extends its update period to match or surpass its competitors.
