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OS updated for only 3 years after release and security updates for 5? This is still really bad.


It really isn't, given how much of Android will get updated during those security fixes only years. Many of the builtin apps will still receive feature updates, likely even beyond that window.


Compared to iOS 17 running on 5 year old phones and the 10 year old iPhone 5s getting a security update earlier this year?


Iirc Apple iOS includes more features than Android in the core OS. Google Services still receive updates and only things like the UI and system settings stay the same. Most people I know don't care at all about updates.

But I agree, it's great how Apple supports devices for 6 years with major updates. It would also be possible for Android phones if SoC & phones manufacturer actually cared.


Anytime a new version of iOS is released, usually within the first 6 months it is on 80%+ of the phones


I have an ancient ipad. It still gets major updates, but not necessarily all of the best features from those updates. Maybe that is a hardware limitation or maybe not.

I also have a Pixel 5. It received Magic Eraser, which used to be a key feature of newer Pixels, as part of a regular Photos app update.

I'm still getting major updates too, but, tbh, they aren't that critical. Chrome, GMail, Maps, YouTube, Calendar, Messaging, the app store itself (including UI) and the core web browser will keep getting updates well beyond the end of life.

There really isn't a direct comparison here, but I wouldn't switch in either direction due to updates.


If I’m not mistaken, apps that use embedded web views don’t use the installed version of Chrome do they? If that’s the case, that’s a major security issue by itself.


I believe the system webview is no longer part of the core Android OS, but instead is updated regularly based on a recent version of Chrome. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and...




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