Qualcomm has announced that smartphones powered by its Snapdragon 8 Elite chips will be eligible for up to eight years of Android OS and security updates.
This program aims to reduce update costs for manufacturers, but it will be up to individual phone makers to provide the extended support.
The first devices to benefit from this will be Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered phones launching with Android 15, with future Snapdragon 8 and 7-series devices also eligible for the extended updates.
Qualcomm has partnered with Google to extend software and security update support for Android devices. Starting with flagship phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, Qualcomm will enable manufacturers to provide up to eight years of Android OS updates and security patches.
For Android enthusiasts, this is a significant development. Currently, only Google and Samsung offer seven years of updates for their flagship devices, while most other brands provide updates for just three to five years. As a result, millions of users are left with outdated software, missing new features, and potentially exposed to security risks. Qualcomm’s new policy could change this, making Android phones not only more secure but also more sustainable over the long term.
How does it work?
The extended support program utilizes Qualcomm’s Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and Google’s Project Treble, which separates the Android OS framework from the vendor implementation. This separation allows updates to be pushed more easily without requiring significant changes to the device’s core code.
Qualcomm’s new initiative builds on this by offering two upgrades to the Android Common Kernel (ACK), the heart of the operating system. These upgrades are designed to ensure devices remain secure and compatible with future Android versions.
The best part? Qualcomm says this approach will reduce costs for manufacturers, making it more feasible for them to offer longer support. While Qualcomm can’t compel every brand to adopt this program, the company has already seen several manufacturers commit to providing extended updates for their devices.
Which phones will benefit?
The first devices to benefit from this extended support program will be smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and launching with Android 15. This will likely include major flagships like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, OnePlus 13, and others. Additionally, phones launching with newer Snapdragon 8 and 7-series devices later this year will also be eligible, meaning some mid-range devices will also get the benefits of this program.
Over time, the program will expand to cover the next five generations of Qualcomm’s chips. However, the final decision to offer up to eight years of updates will still rest with the manufacturers. An important caveat: older Snapdragon chips, anything released before the Snapdragon 8 Elite, won’t be eligible for this extended support.
While this announcement is a step forward, its broader impact on the Android ecosystem remains to be seen. If widely adopted, this initiative could lead to a new generation of Android devices with longer lifespans, which would benefit both consumers and the environment.
