Every time a new version of Android or iOS comes out, the same question arises: will my phone get it, or is it already left out? The answer no longer depends only on the device’s age — it depends on the brand, and the differences between them are huge. With Android 17 rolling out slowly and iOS 26 already settled, this is the moment to review how much your phone has left and whether to update the system or just switch devices.
Android 17: who has it and who was left out
Android 17 launched on June 16, 2026 and arrived first, as always, on the Pixels. Samsung brings it with One UI 9 from July 22, starting with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, and it will reach the rest of the Galaxy S23-and-newer line and the Galaxy A models from the A24 afterward.
If your Android is older than that, there’s bad news: the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro get Android 17 as their last major update (support until October 2026), and much of the mid-range launched before 2023 won’t see it.
The table that really matters: years of support by brand
This is what each manufacturer promises today on its current devices — not what it promised three years ago:
| Brand | Android updates | Security patches |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel (8 and up) | 7 years | 7 years |
| Samsung (high end: S25/S26, Z Fold/Flip) | 7 years | 7 years |
| Samsung (mid-range, e.g. A57) | 6 years | 6 years |
| OnePlus (flagship from the 11) | 4 years | 6 years |
| Motorola (most devices) | 2–3 years | variable |
| Xiaomi (high end) | up to 4 years | 5 years |
| Xiaomi (mid-range) | 2 years | variable |
The practical conclusion: if your priority is for the phone to last, today only two brands guarantee 7 years on their top devices —Google and Samsung—. The rest fall short by 3 to 5 years against them, even if the purchase price is lower.
iOS 26: who was left without the update
On Apple’s side the cut was more surgical. iOS 26 requires an A13 Bionic chip or newer with at least 3 GB of RAM, so the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR were left without the update — they’re the first A12-chip models Apple leaves behind. Everything else from the iPhone 11 onward does run iOS 26, though the heaviest Apple Intelligence features require an A17 Pro or higher (iPhone 15 Pro, 16 series and 17 series).
On historical average, an iPhone receives between 6 and 7 years of major iOS updates, and Apple usually extends security patches one or two more years even after the device stops getting the latest version. It’s, alongside Google and Samsung, among the best-sustained in the industry.
So, do I update the system or change phones?
Use this simple rule:
- Your device still gets the latest major version (Android 17 / iOS 26) → update without fear. The system brings security patches and, almost always, better battery performance.
- Your device stayed on the previous version and is from a short-support brand (Motorola, mid-range Xiaomi, OnePlus over 4 years old) → it probably won’t get security patches much longer. It’s time to look at a replacement.
- Your device was left out but it’s a Pixel, Samsung flagship or iPhone → you still have years of security patches even if the next major version doesn’t arrive; no rush, but you can start comparing options.
If it’s time to change, the smartest buy in 2026 is to prioritize promised years of support over day-one specs: a $500 phone with 7 years of updates works out cheaper per year of use than a $300 one that runs out of patches in 24 months. You can compare current options in our Top 10 Android and Top 10 iPhones, or check the comparison if you’re torn between ecosystems.
🛒 Check the Pixel 10 (7 years of support)In short: Android 17 and iOS 26 marked a clear cut — Pixel 6, iPhone XS/XS Max/XR and much of the 2022-2023 mid-range were left without the latest update. If your phone got it, update with confidence. If not, check how many years of security patches it has left before deciding whether to buy today or wait a bit longer.
Sources: Android Authority — update policies by brand, BGR — phones with the longest software support, TechRepublic — Android 17 on Pixel, Apple Support — models compatible with iOS 26, Macworld — how long Apple supports its iPhones.
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