Club Benefits
The days when you could feasibly upgrade your phone every couple of years are long gone. Not only are the best phones more expensive than ever, but the state of the world and the electronics industry mean the cost of buying a new phone is not going to go down anytime soon. Even the best cheap phones seem to be slowly creeping up in price.
With that in mind, it's no surprise that people have been keeping hold of their phones for longer. But if you're going to hang on to your phone for longer, you'll want to make sure your investment is well-spent.
Fairphone 6 — 7 years Android, 8 years security (2025 to 2033)
If you're looking for the longest-guaranteed software support from a phone maker, then Fairphone is probably the company you'll want to go with. Fairphone's whole ethos is to sell you a phone that you'll keep for a long time, and that's manifested in easy-to-repair phones and long-lasting software support.
Fairphone has promised that the Fairphone 6 will receive eight years of guaranteed software support. Since the phone was released in June 2025, it means there will be frequent security updates until at least mid-2033. That includes at least seven Android version updates as well, taking the phone from Android 15 to Android 22.
Note that Fairphone has said "at least" for both those pledges. It has previously said that it will aim to keep software support going for longer, if it can, but there's no hard guarantee right now.
Google Pixel 10 — 7 years (2025 to 2032)
Google was the first Android phone maker to promise seven years of software support following the launch of Pixel 8, and it's maintained that pledge for every subsequent Pixel release.
Since the Pixel 10 series was released last August, phones will lose software support ahead of the Galaxy S26 series. That said, since Google still offers the full seven years of support for its mid-range phones, the slightly newer Pixel 10a should still be supported until sometime in 2033 — as should the upcoming Pixel 11 series.
Google used to have a calendar telling everyone the exact date Pixel phones would lose software support. But since altering its policies, we can only guess as to when the phones will be dropped.
In the past, Google confirmed that its increased software support also means spare parts will be available for the duration of the phone's lifespan. Should your phone break at some point in the next seven years, you should still be able to buy the parts to fix it. We haven't heard that promise for a while, so it's unclear whether that's still Google policy, but it is something to think about.
Samsung Galaxy S26 — 7 years (2026 to 2033)
Back in 2022, the promise of four years of Android updates and five years of security updates was considered a big deal, but when Google pledged seven years of support the following year, Samsung was quick to follow suit.
Every Samsung flagship since the Galaxy S24 will get seven years of software support, and for the Galaxy S26, that means those updates will be coming until at least 2033. Most importantly, Samsung has clarified that this seven-year pledge means the S26 will get seven years of security patches and seven major Android upgrades.
That means the S26 will eventually be able to run Android 23, even if the software isn't released until after the phone's seventh birthday is over. It's a similar story with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, though the fact that they're a few months older than the S26 series may mean they miss out on Android 23.
iPhones — Typically 6-7 years iOS updates, variable for security
Apple doesn't announce how long an iPhone will be eligible for software support. We don't actually find out until a new piece of software is announced at the WWDC conference, and even then, Apple hides that news in the fine print.
Each new iPhone that gets released can usually expect to get six or seven years of full software updates, which includes an upgrade to the latest version of iOS and all the new features that come with it. By this estimate, the iPhone 17 series will likely continue to get full iOS updates until 2031 or 2032
Apple is a lot more flexible when it comes to security updates, and will continue to release patches and other protective updates long after a phone has ceased being eligible for new versions of iOS. In fact Apple rolled out a security update for iOS 15 on May 11 2026, which covers phones as old as the iPhone 6s — which was first released almost 11 years ago.
If you think that's generous, iOS 12 also got an update back in January, which covers phones up to (and including) 2013's iPhone 5s. Admittedly, that is the first update those phones have received for three years, but it shows that Apple is still willing to fix certain security problems on older iPhones that may still be in use — even if it isn't willing to make hard promises ahead of time.
Honor Magic 8 Pro — 7 years (2025 to 2032)
Chinese brands aren't officially on sale in the U.S., which makes them a lot harder to find in the states. But if you do have the opportunity to get hold of an Honor Magic 8 Pro you can be happy with the knowledge that it will come with seven years of software support — including a guaranteed seven major Android upgrades.
Chinese phone brands don't have the best history when it comes to software support. But things do seem to be changing, and a bunch of recent releases are offering more than the typical three to four years of support. So don't expect the Magic 8 Pro to be standing alone on this list for much longer.
Motorola Signature — 7 years (2026 to 2033)
Motorola is best known for foldables and cheaper devices, but the newly released Motorola Signature is its attempt to cater to a more premium market. With that in mind, the company has also promised seven years of software support, including security and major Android updates.
Of course, this does come with some caveats. The first is that the Signature is not on sale in the U.S., and the cheaper Motorola handsets don't get nearly as much support. The Razr Ultra 2026 only gets three years of Android updates and four years of security support, for example. On top of that, Motorola doesn't have a positive reputation when it comes to updates, and the company has been criticized for not rolling them out fast enough.
So while the Signature does offer a lot more support, be warned that there may be delays actually getting those updates installed.
Samsung Galaxy A57 — 6 years (2026 to 2032)
Unlike Google, Samsung's software generosity doesn't extend to its mid-range phones, with the newly released Galaxy A57 only getting six years of official software support. Samsung has confirmed that this will include six numbered Android updates, meaning the phone will receive an upgrade to Android 22 when the time comes, as well as six calendar years of security updates.
It's not quite as much support as the flagship devices, but you still have to remember that the Galaxy A57 is a cheaper device. The starting price for the phone is $540, a $250 discount compared to the $799 S26.
You don't get as many premium features on the Galaxy A57, though that doesn't stop it from being one of the best cheap phones. But if you look at things purely from the point of view of software support, it is a slightly better value for those of you hoping to keep your phone for the long haul.
Nothing Phone 4a Pro — 3 years Android, 6 years security (2026 to 2032)
When it comes to Nothing's latest mid-range phone line-up, you're not getting nearly as much support as you might with a flagship phone. The Nothing Phone 4a Pro does a little better than some past Nothing Phones, but it's still pretty limited compared to what's out there.
Three guaranteed major Android updates isn't a lot, and it means the number of new features you'll get to enjoy on the Nothing Phone 4a Pro is quite limited. However, the promise of six years of security updates means you will be able to keep your phone for a significant amount of time before you're putting yourself at risk.
OnePlus 15 — 4 years Android, 6 years security (2025 to 2031)
OnePlus offers a little more than Nothing in the Android update department, but considering the relative age of the OnePlus 15, you're going to run out of new Android updates slightly sooner. Still, four major updates will take you up to Android 20, and the extra two years of security updates will offer protection until the year 2031.
In the past OnePlus has said it doesn't see the benefit of offering several years of full software support, because your phone will be out of date before the deadline. However, I say that misses the point of offering extended software support, especially when it's paired with improved repairability.
Sadly, it seems OnePlus won't get the opportunity to improve on software support in the future, since there are reports that it will be pulling out of certain regions later this year. Updates should still roll out as promised, but it means the OnePlus 15 may be the last flagship that's easily available to buy.
Benefits of long-lasting software support
If you're wondering why you need a phone with long-lasting support, let me explain. The main reason is that several years of consistent security updates ensure your phone stays secure and safe from anyone who might want to break in. Hackers of all kinds are always looking to find exploits and security holes in mobile software.
While the manufacturer is on the hook for software updates, you still have some level of protection from any exploits that might be uncovered. But once those updates stop coming, you're suddenly putting yourself and your data at risk. Having more years of software support means you can keep hold of your older phone for longer, without it becoming a liability.
Similarly, the more years of full software support you get, the longer you'll get access to all the latest features and software upgrades. It doesn't matter whether you have an Android or an iPhone, the longer you keep getting new features, the less likely you are to be tempted by a newer device. It may also have a positive impact on your resale value, since the next owner will be able to take advantage of the phone's longevity as well.
The obvious downside is your phone's hardware may outlast its software — especially the battery. That means there will no doubt be a point where you have to get some sort of repair done on your phone, whether you plan on doing it yourself or via a professional repair shop.
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