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You don’t need to upgrade your phone every year, especially if you know it’ll get software updates for several years. And that’s exactly why I recommend getting a phone that offers long-term updates. As of 2024, these are your best options.
1iPhone 16 Series
Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 series at its September 2024 event, dubbed “It’s Glowtime.” As the latest devices from Apple as of October 2024, I expect alliPhone 16models to receive major iOS updates from the company for at least five years. And even if Apple drops support for iOS updates at some point, you can expect security updates for a bit longer.
That’s me being conservative because we’ve seen Apple support its devices for longer than that. For instance, in 2023, we sawApple offer security patches for 10-year-old devices. Unfortunately, Apple, unlike some Android manufacturers like Google and Samsung, doesn’t reveal how long its phones would get updates.
2Google Pixel 9 Series
The Google Pixel 9 series, which includes thePixel 9,Pixel 9 Pro, andPixel 9 Pro XL, are also solid options if you want a device with long-term software updates. During the launch,Google promisedthat the devices would receive seven years of major Android updates and seven years of security updates.
Considering that Google launched these phones in August 2024, the Pixel 9 series will receive updates until August 2031. That’s one of the longest-lasting support policies and makes Google one ofthe best manufacturers for Android updates.
3Samsung Galaxy S24 Series
Samsung is an excellent alternative if you don’t want to get a phone from Apple or Google. For theGalaxy S24series, Samsung’s software update policy is on par with Google’s, promising seven years of security and major software updates.
In other words, the Galaxy S24 series trio will receive Android and security updates up to at least early 2031. The same policy applies even to Samsung’s folding phones, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.
4OnePlus 12
Launched early in the year, the OnePlus 12 is still one ofthe best Android phones of 2024. The company isn’t competing with Google or Samsung in the software update department, but the support is long enough to make it an option.
According toOnePlus, theOnePlus 12is guaranteed to receive four years of major software updates and five years of security updates. While that doesn’t match the seven years of support offered by Google and Samsung, it’s still impressive.
5Google Pixel 8a
If you need a budget phone from Google with a long-term update commitment, look no further than thePixel 8a. Like the Google Pixel 9 series, the 8a is eligible for seven years of security and major Android updates. Launched in May 2024, the device will get updates until May 2031. The same update policy applies to the rest of the Pixel 8 series (Pixel 8 and 8 Pro).
If you’re looking for a phone that’s guaranteed to receive software updates for several years, you’re able to’t go wrong with any of the models on this list. If you’re team Apple, the iPhone 16 series is a no-brainer. But if you’re team Android, you have multiple options to choose from.
