How many years of software updates should a smartphone get?
Short answer
A smartphone should get at least five years of software updates. For phones launched in the EU since June 2025, ecodesign rules require operating-system updates for at least five years after a model stops being sold. Samsung and Google promise seven years for recent flagships, so five years is the floor.
What the EU rules say
Since June 2025, EU ecodesign rules apply to new smartphones and tablets put on the market. Manufacturers must offer operating-system updates for at least five years after the last unit of a model is sold. The same rules also cover spare parts, battery durability and a new energy label that rates repairability.
Phones that were already on sale before the rules started may follow older, shorter promises, so always check the model.
Feature updates vs security updates
Not every update is the same. Both kinds matter, but security updates matter most for a phone you use for banking and messaging.
- Operating-system updates bring a new Android or iOS version with new features.
- Security updates close vulnerabilities, often monthly or every few months.
- Brands sometimes promise more years of security updates than of OS updates.
- When updates end, the phone still works, but it gets less safe over time.
What to check before you buy
Update promises usually count from the phone's launch, not from the day you buy it. A two-year-old model on sale has two years fewer left than it had at launch.
Apple does not publish a fixed number of years, but iPhones have a long track record of updates. Fairphone is also known for long software support.
Questions and answers
What happens when my phone stops getting updates?
The phone keeps working, but new security holes are no longer fixed. Over time, some apps, such as banking apps, may also stop supporting older system versions.
Do cheaper phones get fewer updates?
Often they used to, but the EU rules set a floor for new models. Some brands now give their mid-range phones the same long support as their flagships, so check the promise for the exact model.