The Snapdragon 8 Elite marks a turning point for Android smartphones. Qualcomm's new chip not only offers impressive performance, it also aims to improve software support for phones. On the stage of the Snapdragon Summit, the group's annual event, Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of the Mobile division at Qualcomm, revealed that the Snapdragon 8 Elite supports eight years of updates d’Android.
“I'm excited to announce that starting with Snapdragon 8 Elite, we now offer 8 years of software support as well as 8 versions of Android support. This is remarkable because it is the longest duration available on the market today”says Chris Patrick.
Until now, Qualcomm chips, like 2023's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, have only managed up to four Android OS updates and four years of security patches.
This software support includes the version of Android installed at the time of release. In addition to the version already installed from the factory, the chip will support seven additional years of updates. Concretely, Qualcomm gives manufacturers the possibility of offering up to eight years of Android updates on smartphones powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Future high-end calibrated Android smartphones, like the next Xiaomi, Honor or Samsung, will technically be able to benefit from eight years of support.
“This support will not only promote device longevity and durability, but it will also give consumers confidence that the device they purchase today will have the latest software and security for nearly a decade »adds Chris Patrick.
Also read: “A car that thinks” – Qualcomm goes all out on automobiles at the Snapdragon Summit
Qualcomm leads the way
Last year, Google established a new standard by promising 7 years of updates for the Pixel 8. The firm did it again this year with the Pixel 9, and Samsung followed suit with certain Galaxy models. Apart from these two telephony giants, no other manufacturer offers such long Android software support. Some brands, like Sony or Motorola, are known for only offering one Android update to their smartphones. Typically, the majority of devices have two major system updates.
Extended software support is indeed accompanied development costs consequential. With each new Android release, Qualcomm provides a support package for its chips, like the Snapdragon SoCs. It includes drivers and optimizations to keep Android running smoothly. In the process, manufacturers must adapt their overlays and functionality. This is what generates costs.
At this stage, there is no guarantee that manufacturers will make the effort to deploy Android updates for eight years. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite, however, Qualcomm is giving brands the opportunity to do so, and benefit from adequate infrastructure and hardware support in the process.
Google and Qualcomm, same fight
In parallel with Qualcomm's announcement, Google launched the “Longevity GRF” program to extend support for Android devices, reports Android Authority. Until now, chips were only supported by the OS for a few years, and each Android update required updated vendor software.
With this program, manufacturers can now use the same software for seven Android updatescompared to three previously. However, they must update the Linux kernel every three years to guarantee user security. This initiative is a continuation of that of Qualcomm.
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