The update period does not restart when you buy a refurbished phone. To compare two models, look up the manufacturer's policy and the date from which it is counted. A new system version and a security fix are also not the same thing.
In this article
Sources consulted on 11 October 2026. The situation may change; check the official notices linked below before buying.
Official commitments and limits of information
| Model or family | Official information | How to assess remaining time |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 8 and later | 7 years of system and security updates, counted from first availability on the US Google Store. | Check the availability date of the exact model. Do not count 7 years from your purchase. |
| Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a and Pixel Fold | 5 years of system and security updates since first availability on the US Google Store. | Confirm the specific date: the base model and version a were launched at different times. |
| Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra | Samsung announced 7 generations of system updates and 7 years of security updates. | Confirm the model and applicable policy. Distribution frequency may change over the support period. |
| Other Samsung Galaxy | The policy varies by model. The Samsung Mobile Security list identifies covered devices and expected frequency. | Look for the exact designation, including FE, A, Fold or Flip. Do not apply the S24 policy to the whole brand. |
| Apple iPhone | The Apple security releases page identifies published versions and covered models. This list alone does not set a future end-of-support date for each iPhone. | Confirm current compatibility and any model- and market-specific commitments. Do not turn support history into a promise of remaining years. |
How to calculate without creating a false guarantee
When there is a duration commitment, start from the date and event defined by the manufacturer. Subtract elapsed time and present the result as a calculation based on that policy. If only a list of currently supported devices exists, state the current status; do not invent an end date.
A forecast based on previous generations may help contextualise a purchase, but must be identified as an estimate. In this table we do not assign an end date to iPhones or Galaxies without a specific confirmed commitment.
Security, features and applications
A security update can fix vulnerabilities without bringing all the features of a new major version. Some features also depend on hardware, language, region or application. Even with the system updated, check the requirements of the banking, professional and authentication apps you need.
What to compare between two offers?
- Full model and regional variant.
- Official policy and start point of the period.
- Supported system version and available updates.
- Compatibility of essential applications.
- Capacity, condition and current unit price.
The manufacturer's software support is distinct from purchase warranty rights. Compare the iPhones, the Samsung and the Google Pixel available, using these criteria together with the storage guide.
Official sources
- Google: Pixel update policy.
- Google: device availability dates.
- Samsung: Galaxy S24 series update commitment.
- Samsung: scope of security updates.
- Apple: published security versions and updates.
Reference dates for comparing Google Pixel
Editorial calculation in months, based on availability dates and the support period announced by Google. Dates are in year-month format. A value of 0 means the reference month is also the final month; check the current status with the manufacturer. Buying a refurbished device does not restart this period.
| Model | Start of period | Calculated end | Months remaining in October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 6 / 6 Pro | 2021-10 | 2026-10 | 0 |
| Pixel 6a | 2022-07 | 2027-07 | 9 |
| Pixel 7 / 7 Pro | 2022-10 | 2027-10 | 12 |
| Pixel 7a | 2023-05 | 2028-05 | 19 |
| Pixel Fold | 2023-06 | 2028-06 | 20 |
| Pixel 8 / 8 Pro | 2023-10 | 2030-10 | 48 |
| Pixel 8a | 2024-05 | 2031-05 | 55 |
| Pixel 9 / 9 Pro XL | 2024-08 | 2031-08 | 58 |
| Pixel 9 Pro / 9 Pro Fold | 2024-09 | 2031-09 | 59 |
| Pixel 9a | 2025-04 | 2032-04 | 66 |
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