The Upgrade Radar

The Android phones with the longest software support (2026)

Updated July 9, 2026 · 8 picks, ranked

Update policy is the most underrated spec in Android: it decides how long your phone stays secure, how late you can resell it, and whether a cheap phone is actually cheap over its lifetime. The gap is huge — seven years on Pixels and flagship Galaxys, three on some Motorolas.

This list ranks every current phone we track by update commitment first, cycle position second. If you keep phones for more than three years, this page matters more than any spec sheet — a $499 Pixel a-series supported to 2033 beats most $900 phones on total cost.

$649🛡 7 yrs updates45 W🗓 Sep 4, 2025

7 Years of Updates at $649: The S25 FE inherits Samsung's full 7-year OS and security update promise — the most comprehensive long-term support available at this price on Android.

Imminent new model release

Quick comparison

ModelPriceUpdatesChargingWeightTiming
Samsung Galaxy S$8997 yrs25 W167 gBuy now
Google Pixel Pro$9997 yrs30 W207 gWait
Google Pixel A$4997 yrs30 W183 gBuy now
Samsung Galaxy Z$15997 yrs25 W215 gWait
Google Pixel$7997 yrs30 W204 gWait
Google Pixel Fold$17997 yrs30 W258 gCaution
Samsung Galaxy FE$6497 yrs45 W190 gWait
Samsung Galaxy A$5496 yrs45 W179 gBuy now

FAQ

Who offers the longest Android updates?

Google and Samsung lead with 7 years of OS and security updates on Pixels and flagship Galaxys — including the budget Pixel a-series. Nothing and Oppo sit around 5; Xiaomi, OnePlus and Motorola trail at 3–4 on most lines.

Do long update promises actually get honored?

Google and Samsung have track records of delivering on them, though update speed slows in later years. Treat year 6–7 as security patches and maintenance, not day-one feature drops.

How is this list ranked?

Current-generation phones with 5+ years of committed updates, ranked by support length first and release-cycle position second. Buying one of these early in its cycle maximizes the support you actually receive.

Rankings combine our editor scores with live release-cycle data and are recomputed on every site update. See how we rate.