For years, phone and laptop launches were all about faster chips and better cameras. Today, one of the most important numbers on a spec sheet is far less glamorous: how many years of software updates the device will receive. In this Technicalinterest.Com explainer we look at why update support has become a headline feature and how to use it when you shop.
Key takeaways
- Security updates keep your accounts and data safe from known threats.
- Longer update support means better long-term value for money.
- Check the official support end date before buying any device.
- Unsupported devices should not be used for banking or email.
- Turn on automatic updates on every phone, computer and router.
What changed
Several major Android phone makers, led by Google with its Pixel 8 series and Samsung with its Galaxy S24 range, began promising seven years of operating system and security updates. Apple has long supported iPhones for many years, and the trend has pushed the rest of the industry to publish clearer support commitments.
Why update support matters
Security
Security updates fix vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit. Once a device stops receiving them, every newly discovered flaw stays open, which puts your accounts, photos and payment details at risk.
Value for money
A device that receives updates for seven years can stay safe and useful far longer than one supported for three. Spread over its lifetime, a more expensive phone with long support can cost less per year than a cheap one you must replace sooner.
New features
Major updates often add features, including on-device AI tools, accessibility improvements and better battery management, giving older hardware a second life.
Less electronic waste
Keeping devices in use for longer reduces the environmental cost of manufacturing replacements, one of the largest parts of a gadget’s carbon footprint.
Key point: a device without security updates may still work, but it is no longer safe for banking, email or anything sensitive.
How to check update support before you buy
- Search for the manufacturer’s official support or security update policy for the exact model.
- Note the end date, which is usually counted from the device’s launch, not from when you buy it.
- Be cautious with older models on sale; they may have only a year or two of support left.
- For laptops, check how long the operating system version will be supported as well as the hardware.
What to do with a device that has lost support
- Avoid using it for banking, shopping or work accounts.
- Use it offline, for example as a music player, e-reader or smart home remote.
- Reset it fully before selling, donating or recycling it.
How to keep your devices updated automatically
- On phones, turn on automatic system updates and automatic app updates in the settings menu.
- On Windows and Mac, enable automatic updates and restart your computer at least once a week.
- Keep your browser updated, since it is your main gateway to the internet.
- Update router and smart home device firmware through their companion apps.
The US cybersecurity agency CISA lists software updates among its four essential steps in its guide to keeping software updated.
Update support beyond phones
The same logic applies to laptops, smartwatches, routers and even smart TVs. Older Windows computers are a clear example: read our guide to Windows 10 end of support to see what happens when an operating system stops receiving fixes. When devices reach the end of their support, consider whether a repair, an upgrade or responsible recycling makes the most sense, as discussed in our right to repair explainer.
The takeaway
Update support has quietly become one of the best indicators of long-term value. Before comparing cameras or benchmark scores, check how long a device will stay secure. Follow the latest developments in our Tech News section, and see our Gadgets hub for buying advice on Technicalinterest.Com.
Why updates sometimes feel annoying, and why they are worth it
Updates can arrive at inconvenient times or change familiar features, which is why many people postpone them. Schedule updates overnight, keep enough free storage for them to install, and remember that most security updates fix problems that attackers already know about. Delaying them for weeks leaves a window open that is easy to close.
A practical approach is to let phones and apps update automatically overnight, and to restart computers at least once a week so pending updates can finish installing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know when my phone stops getting updates?
Search for your manufacturer’s official security update policy and your exact model. The end date is usually counted from the device’s launch.
Is it safe to use a phone that no longer gets updates?
It may work fine, but it becomes riskier over time. Avoid using it for banking, email or other sensitive accounts.
Do apps stop working on old phones?
Eventually, yes. App developers drop support for old operating system versions, so some apps will stop updating or installing.
