Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite is officially here, making waves with its powerful performance, advanced AI features, and industry-leading capabilities in gaming, photography, and more.
However, beyond the technical specifications that push the limits of the next Android phones, a remarkable promise is to establish a new industry standard: 8 years of operating system and security updates.
This extended support period is a key step forward, representing Qualcomm’s commitment to device durability and long-term user experience. It relies on OEMs (companies that make the phones) to support it, but that seems inevitable.
And for those who keep their phone longer than the usual 2-3 year cycle, this could be a game changer.
Qualcomm
Traditionally, most Android phones offer around three years of major OS updates and security patches, with only a few manufacturers extending this to five years.
The announcement that devices equipped with Snapdragon 8 Elite will benefit from 8 years of OS and security updates significantly moves the bar forward. Previously, Samsung and Google set the standard in seven years.
So, which devices could be the first to benefit from the 8-year promise? Qualcomm has confirmed that several flagship manufacturers are “close to launching devices” with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, so it seems like a matter of time.
Based on the company’s established relationships and previous flagship trends, the Galaxy S25 series, Xiaomi 15 series, Oppo Find day of 8 years.
Other brands like Vivo, Realme, and Asus (with its gaming-focused ROG Phone 9) could follow suit, especially as consumers begin to prioritize more durable devices with extensive software support.
Qualcomm
This new standard established by Qualcomm is part of a broader industry trend toward longer support cycles, reflecting consumers’ desire for durability and reliability in their technology.
You might also be interested in other Snapdragon 8 Elite features that our mobile editor can’t wait to try.
