Google's 7-Year Software Pledge Pressures Android Brands to Extend Updates for Phone Longevity

Google's new 7-year software update commitment for Pixel phones highlights Android's fragmented update policies across brands.

Longer security updates are important to keep phones safe as people hold onto them longer amid inflation.

Hardware can often last longer than software support, with repairs increasingly affordable.

While welcome, software updates alone don't address other issues like durability and repairability.

Google's move pressures other Android brands to extend software support, benefiting all phone buyers.