Google and Samsung have set the bar high for Android phones by announcing up to seven generations of Android updates for the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24 series. Apple doesn't typically disclose how many software updates an iPhone will receive, but it's known for offering long software support for its phones. Thanks to a new regulation in the UK, Apple has finally specified a minimum support window for its iPhone 15 family, and it's lower than what Google and Samsung are now offering.
iPhone 15 Pro Max minimum duration of software support
As spotted by Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority, Apple recently uploaded a new document to its website, according to the UK's Product Safety and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI). In the document, Apple reveals that it will provide security updates for a minimum of five years for the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max. The “defined support period” is a “minimum of five years from the first date of supply”. The “date of first supply” is shown as September 22, 2023. This period is two years less than its main competitors.
A “security update” is defined by the PSTI as a “software update that protects or improves the security of a product, including a software update that fixes security issues that have been discovered or reported to the manufacturer.” Based on this, we can expect Apple to support some devices for longer.
Previously, the Cupertino giant has provided updates for more than five years for some models. The iPhone XS that was introduced in September 2018 is still compatible with iOS 17. This period of guaranteed software support could change with the release of the iPhone 16 series this fall.
Samsung and Google, on the other hand, currently guarantee a minimum of seven years of security and Android system updates for their latest Galaxy S24 trio and Pixel 8 series, respectively.
