9 phones with the longest software support — Samsung, iPhone, Pixel and more
Longer software support is becoming a key factor as consumers keep phones for extended periods due to rising costs. Manufacturers like Fairphone, Samsung, Apple, and Google now offer significantly longer update commitments than in the past. Extended support can improve device security, usability, and resale value over time.
- ▪Fairphone promises eight years of software support for the Fairphone 6, including seven Android version updates.
- ▪The Fairphone 6 was released in June 2025 and will receive security updates until at least mid-2033.
- ▪Historically, Android phones received only two years of OS updates and one year of security patches.
- ▪Longer software support helps extend a phone’s usable lifespan and may increase its resale value.
- ▪Major brands like Samsung, Apple, and Google have also extended their software update commitments in recent years.
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| Original publisher | Tom's Guide |
| Canonical URL | https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/9-phones-with-the-longest-software-support-samsung-iphone-pixel-and-more |
| Publication time | Sun, 17 May 2026 08:45:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-17T08:47:12.957Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-17T08:47:12.957Z |
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Basis: Derived from the published RSS/Atom feed. Contact: [email protected]. Reviewed: 2026-07-24.
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Phones 9 phones with the longest software support — Samsung, iPhone, Pixel and more Features By Tom Pritchard published 17 May 2026 More software support means you can keep your phone for longer When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter 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.
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