When buying an Android smartphone, one element is very important to take into account: the manufacturer’s software monitoring policy. The longer the follow-up, the more confident you’ll be that your device stays up-to-date and protected from potential cyber threats. In this article let’s take a look at who the good guys and bad guys are in this area.
If autonomy, photo sensors, design or general performance are the deciding criteria when buying an Android smartphone, another thing that is less known to the general public is also essential: the software monitoring policy adopted by the manufacturer.
Actually and before checking out, it is important to know how long your smartphone will be kept up to date. Major updates (It’s about the operating system) and Safety links (This makes it possible to ensure optimal protection against hacking and possible security breaches).
In this area, each manufacturer is a Own policy with a fixed schedule. And unsurprisingly, some brands are renowned for their seriousness, while others have yet to step up. Through this article, let’s take a look at who are the good and less good students in 2022 in terms of follow-up period and placement accountability. Note, however, that the duration of follow-up May vary according to each manufacturer’s models (Newer and more expensive smartphones are often better).
Android Update: Who Are the Top Manufacturers in 2022?
To make your research easier, we’ve decided to proceed alphabetically. We rely on data provided by manufacturers and specialty sites to establish this selection AOSMark. This siteAndroid smartphone makers are rated based on the average number of OS updates they have done on their phones in the past. Scores range from 0 to 5, with a higher score meaning translation Long term support provided by the manufacturer.
Asus
So we start with the Taiwanese manufacturer Asus, which is content to offer the minimum amount suggested by Google. That means two major Android updates and two years of Android security patches. In terms of responsiveness, the brand usually takes two to three months to distribute OS updates. For example, this was the case in recent events Zenfone 8 and Zenfone 8 Flip. Launched under Android 11 at the end of May 2021, both devices were upgraded to Android 12 in January 2022, almost three months after Google released the stable version of the OS. Note that among the TOP 20 manufacturers of AOS Mark, Asus is ranked 19th with a rating of 0.1.
You won’t be surprised to know that Google is number one in tracking software. The Mountain View company is still happy to be the birthplace of Android. Until the start Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 ProThe American company offered three years of Android updates and three years of security updates.
However, since the deployment of its latest smartphones, the company has increased its security monitoring. In fact, starting with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the next Google Pixel smartphones will benefit from five years of security patches. However, note that when it comes to responsiveness, the manufacturer is often topped by a certain Samsung, What he disliked the most. However, this situation is not legitimate, and the Google Pixel is one of the fastest-growing smartphones. Unsurprisingly, Google topped the AOS Mark ranking with a score of 1.8 out of 5.
Nokia/HMD
What about Nokia? On its latest smartphones like the Nokia XR20, the Finnish brand offers 4 years of security updates and 3 years of Android operating system updates. As part of the Android One program, Nokia smartphones benefit from at least 2 years of OS software monitoring. However, the company is ranked 14th in the AOS Mark ranking. The reason? Many lamented the delay in applying the latest Android security patches. Recently, the brand was established A dedicated web page For more information about the update schedule for each smartphone.
respect
As you know, the former Huawei subsidiary became independent from November 2020. May 2021 and after months of negotiations with Google, Honor gets permission to get Play Store again and all Google apps on its devices, marking the return of Android at the same time. In March 2022, the brand hit hard with the Honor Magic 4 Pro, a high-end photophone with excellent quality. In terms of software monitoring, Honor promises 2 years of major updates and 2 years of security patches. The manufacturer is not in the TOP 20 of the best manufacturers of AOS Mark. The brand should at least say content.
Motorola
Motorola may be one of the most popular manufacturers in the US, but not for the quality of its software monitoring. In fact, for its high-end devices like the latest Motorola Edge+ launched in 2022, the brand offers only two years of major updates and three years of bimonthly security updates. Things get worse for older models, which have had to do with two major Android updates and two years of biweekly security patches. Again, this principle only applies to high-level paradigms.
OnePlus
Although Its association with Oppo and its pairing of OxygenOS overlay with ColorOSOnePlus ranks among the manufacturers that offer the best software monitoring. In 2021, the Chinese brand changed its renewal policy to bring itself to the level of competition. So all high-end models released since 2018 get three years of major Android updates and four years of security updates. Note, however, that this policy does not apply to the OnePlus Nord and Nord CE, which only benefit from two major OS updates and three years of security patches. Monitoring time is further reduced on the entry-level Nord N series with a single Android update and 3-year security patches. The company is ranked 6th in the AOS Mark Ranking.
Samsung
The South Korean company prides itself on offering the best tracking software. And for good reason, the company outperforms Google in this area. In fact, Samsung announced in February 2022 The manufacturer will now provide 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches In its latest smartphones like Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21 FE, or Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. This new policy makes Samsung the current king of Android software monitoring. For other devices, we’re at four major Android updates and four years of security patches.
Xiaomi
In 2021, Xiaomi decided to change its software monitoring policy. From that date, the Chinese company has committed to providing four years of security updates and three years of major Android updates. Be careful, however, that follow-up duration varies across samples (the most recent benefit of longer follow-up). For example, all Redmi devices will receive one or two major Android updates, while the Redmi Note and Mi smartphones will receive two to three major updates. Finally, from all the flagships Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro It will receive three major OS updates and four annual security updates.
Conclusion
As you understand, in the field of software monitoring, Google, Xiaomi and Samsung are the most serious brands in terms of monitoring time and responsiveness. Of course, we advise you to prioritize devices that benefit from long-term follow-up (both OS and security).