When you buy a phone, you're also buying a period of software support. Once it ends, the phone keeps working — but it stops getting fixes for newly found security holes.
Two kinds of updates
- OS upgrades — new versions of Android or iOS, with new features.
- Security updates — smaller, regular patches that fix security problems. These matter most for safety.
A maker might promise, for example, "7 OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates". Some say "until at least" a specific month and year.
Why it matters
- Banking and payment apps may stop supporting old, unpatched systems.
- Security: unpatched phones are easier targets for malware and scams.
- Resale value: a phone with years of support left is worth more.
How long do phones get updates?
It varies a lot by maker and by model — even within the same brand, cheaper models often get fewer years. Several makers now promise up to 7 years for their recent flagships, while some budget phones get only a couple of years.
The only reliable source is the maker's own update policy for your exact model. Google, for example, publishes the end date for every Pixel on its update-schedule page.
How to check your phone
- Look up your model on Zynverse — the Software support section shows the official promise and links to the source (when the maker publishes one).
- On the phone: Settings → System → Software update (Android) or Settings → General → Software Update (iPhone) shows your last update.
- Or run our Phone Life Check — it tells you when support ends and whether it's time to replace the phone.
Buying tip
When comparing two phones at similar prices, the one with more years of security updates left is usually the better long-term buy — especially if you keep phones for 4–5 years.
Sources
- support.google.com /pixelphone/answer/4457705
- swappa.com /blog/how-long-used-phone-software-support/