Longevity and @Snapdragon go phone-in-hand. We're supporting up to 8 versions of the @google Android operating system going forward, starting with Snapdragon 8 Elite. Learn more: https://t.co/eGfyO6nbRS
— Qualcomm (@Qualcomm) February 24, 2025
Qualcomm has announced that smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chips will now be eligible for up to eight years of Android OS and security updates. This initiative aims to reduce update costs for manufacturers while also extending device longevity. Starting with devices launching with Android 15, the first to benefit from this extended support will be Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered smartphones.
Future Snapdragon 8 and 7-series devices will also be eligible. In a partnership with Google, Qualcomm’s new policy leverages Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and Google’s Project Treble. This helps decouple the Android OS framework from vendor-specific implementations.
Qualcomm just announced that its Snapdragon 8 Elite platform will be supported for "up to eight consecutive years of Android software and security updates."
"What this means is that support for platform software included in this program will be made available to OEMs for eight… pic.twitter.com/UdfaspMzkg
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) February 24, 2025
Good news.
Qualcomm now offers device manufacturers the ability to provide support for up to 8 years of Android updates (software updates plus security updates)
– Starting with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip
– Phones launching on the new and upcoming Snapdragon 7 and 8-series… pic.twitter.com/eKugg5x6Uh
— Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) February 25, 2025
Qualcomm’s approach also incorporates two upgrades to the Android Common Kernel (ACK), which is the core of the operating system.
Extended Android updates with Snapdragon
Currently, only Google and Samsung provide up to seven years of updates for their flagship devices.
Many other manufacturers end updates after three to five years. This leaves millions of users with outdated software, missing new features, and exposed to security risks. Several manufacturers have already committed to using Qualcomm’s new program to keep their devices updated for longer.
1. Qualcomm collaborates with Google which allows manufacturers to provide 8 years of Android, kernel, and security updates to smartphones launching with the Snapdragon 8 Elite. 😍
2. Not only Snapdragon 8 Elite, but upcoming Snapdragon 8 and 7 series smartphones will also be… pic.twitter.com/S6zFYpZQDP
— Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) February 25, 2025
The first smartphones to gain from this extended support will likely be top-tier models such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13. Mid-range devices launching later in the year with newer Snapdragon 8 and 7-series chips will also be eligible. While the broader impact of this initiative on the Android ecosystem remains to be seen, if widely adopted, it could lead to a new wave of Android devices with longer lifespans.
This would benefit both consumers and the environment.
