Not so way back, Android telephones have been horrible for updates, with many handsets solely getting a few new Android releases in the event that they have been fortunate. However in recent times loads of manufacturers have been supporting their telephones for longer, and now OnePlus is pushing assist past that of virtually another firm.

OnePlus has introduced that “choose fashions” of its telephones will now get 4 main Android updates and 5 years of safety patches – figures which match what Samsung is providing on the Galaxy S22 and choose different handsets.

That’s up from the corporate’s earlier promise of three years of main Android updates and 4 years of safety patches. The corporate has been frustratingly imprecise about which telephones will really be eligible for this prolonged assist, however the press launch says “on choose units launched in 2023 and past”, which sadly suggests it received’t apply to present fashions just like the OnePlus 10 Professional.

Presumably, the OnePlus 11 will probably be eligible although, and hopefully upcoming mid-range fashions from the Nord line will probably be too, however solely time will inform.

In the identical breath, the corporate additionally outlined a few of what customers can anticipate from upcoming updates – particularly OxygenOS 13.1 and OxygeonOS 14.

The primary of these (OxygenOS 13.1) is due within the first half of 2023, and can embody a deal with security and privateness options, with OnePlus mentioning an improved model of its Personal Protected operate, which is designed to maintain knowledge sharing secure and safe.

There’s additionally a deal with improved digital well being and well-being, together with accessibility options for customers with disabilities. Lastly, picture albums are set be improved, and the corporate claims it’ll proceed specializing in providing a easy expertise.

Speak of OxygenOS 14 was quite a bit vaguer, however phrases like quick, easy, and dependable have been thrown round.

Evaluation: OnePlus now presents long run assist than Google, however nonetheless trails Apple

With the promise of 4 main Android updates and 5 years of safety patches, OnePlus has leapfrogged Google, which regardless of making Android solely guarantees three years of main OS updates – however matches OnePlus for safety patches.

Whereas it’s nice to see OnePlus doing this, it additionally simply highlights that Google itself nonetheless isn’t doing sufficient.

And we’d nonetheless give the sting to Samsung on the software program updates entrance, since quite a lot of its present telephones are promised as many updates as OnePlus is now providing, slightly than simply non-specific upcoming telephones.

But there’s nonetheless no Android model that matches Apple for updates. Whereas Apple doesn’t promise a particular quantity, loads of iPhones have obtained 5 years of software program updates and a few managed as many as six. And we’re not simply speaking safety updates right here – these have been main working system updates of the sort that OnePlus and Samsung solely promise 4 years of.

So each Android model has work to do, however that is one other step in the best course from OnePlus, and yet one more factor that might assist one of the best OnePlus telephones rank among the many greatest telephones in future.