This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
On August 6, 2020, Samsung made a significant announcement regarding its Android update policy. The company confirmed that it would provide software support for its devices for three generations of Android versions.
This move is a significant step towards improving the Android update situation, which has long been a concern for users. Samsung's existing system typically downgrades devices to quarterly updates after two years, but the new policy promises to provide major updates and security patches for a longer period.
The announcement was made during the Galaxy Unpacked event, where Samsung Senior Vice President for Experience Planning Federico Casalegno confirmed that the company would support users of the devices unveiled at the event, including the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra.
According to Casalegno, the support will come in the form of software updates, including feature and security updates across three generations of devices. This means that users of the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra can expect to receive critical monthly security updates as well as annual Android version updates for three years.
However, it's worth noting that the framing of the announcement is not entirely clear, and it's possible that Samsung may adopt a more flexible approach to software updates. The company has already been providing spaced-out security and major updates over several generations of devices, and it's possible that this approach may continue.
One thing is certain, however: Samsung's commitment to providing software support for its devices for three generations of Android versions is a significant step towards improving the Android update situation. It remains to be seen how this policy will be implemented in practice, but for now, there is hope that Android's update situation is inching closer to the promised land.
