**Samsung’s Upgrade Policy: Progress Made, Yet Not for All**
In February 2022, Samsung made a notable commitment to its consumers: offering as many as four generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades for “select” Galaxy models, alongside up to five years of security updates. This initiative was largely viewed as a favorable advancement, bringing Samsung closer in line with rivals like Apple, renowned for its prolonged software support. Nonetheless, this promise did not extend to all Samsung devices, with the Galaxy Z Fold 2—a high-end foldable smartphone released in 2020—being a key exclusion.
### The Progression of Samsung’s Upgrade Policy
Samsung’s choice to grant prolonged support for its devices mirrors the increasing consumer demand for extended software lifespans. Given the rising costs and complexity of smartphones, users anticipate their devices to remain secure and functional for extended duration. In January 2024, Samsung built upon this promise by announcing it would deliver up to seven years of security and OS updates for select devices, echoing a similar declaration from Google.
This marks a considerable change within the Android landscape, where typically, devices have received fewer update years compared to Apple’s iPhones. For instance, Google’s Pixel smartphones, commonly regarded as the benchmark for Android updates, are now dedicated to offering seven years of support, starting with the Pixel 8 series. Samsung’s choice to follow this trend is a positive progression for Android users, although it is accompanied by a caveat: not all devices will be encompassed in this extended support duration.
### The Situation with the Galaxy Z Fold 2
The Galaxy Z Fold 2, a foldable device launched in 2020 costing over $1,500, was excluded from Samsung’s enumeration of devices qualifying for the enhanced update policy. As a result, the Fold 2 is anticipated to cease receiving OS and security updates by 2024, a mere four years post-launch. For a device priced comparably to a high-end laptop, this relatively limited support timeframe has left several users feeling dissatisfied.
While the Fold 2 may continue to perform adequately after 2024, the absence of security updates could pose a considerable risk for users. In a time when smartphones serve as tools for various tasks, including banking and storing personal data, lacking security patches can expose a device to cyber threats. This is a difficult reality for consumers who invested significantly in a cutting-edge device such as the Fold 2.
### Apple vs. Samsung: A Look at Update Policies
Apple has consistently set the standard for software support in the mobile phone sector. The company has reliably issued iOS updates for older devices, frequently for five years or beyond. For example, the latest iOS 18 supports iPhones released as early as 2018, including the iPhone XR. In 2023, Apple officially guaranteed a minimum of five years of security updates for its products, beginning with the iPhone 15 series.
This degree of support is part of the reason iPhones typically have a longer service life compared to many Android models. Consumers are aware that purchasing an iPhone means investing in a device that will remain secure and updated for several years. Samsung’s recent initiative to provide seven years of updates for select devices is indeed a positive movement, yet it still falls short for users of devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 2.
### The Influence of Third-Party Suppliers
One of the obstacles Samsung encounters in extending software support stems from its dependence on third-party suppliers like Qualcomm for the processors that power its products. In contrast to Apple, which fabricates its own chips (like the A-series processors found in iPhones), Samsung incorporates Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors in multiple phones. This reliance means that Samsung’s capability to deliver long-term updates is partially contingent on Qualcomm’s readiness to support older processors.
Historically, Qualcomm has shown reluctance to prolong the lifespan of its processors, which has restricted the number of years Android devices can receive updates. However, with Samsung now pledging seven years of updates for certain models, it appears Qualcomm may be easing its position. This development is promising for Samsung users, although it does not alter the fact that older models like the Galaxy Z Fold 2 remain excluded from these expanded support timelines.
### The Call for Clarity
The comparatively short lifespan of high-priced devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has ignited a wider discussion regarding the necessity for transparency in the tech industry. Some consumer advocates are now urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to mandate that manufacturers explicitly indicate on their packaging the duration for which a device will receive software and security updates. This change would provide consumers with more upfront information and aid them in making more knowledgeable purchasing choices.
In a time when smartphones have become vital tools for communication, work, and recreation, understanding how long a device will stay secure and functional is extremely important. If a phone is only going to
