Google wants to make sure that users are aware of when the company’s support for all the different phones they do support comes to an end. In the past, Google has made a list of phones that will be cut off from security supports and also included the dates on which these changes will take effect.
Now, the tech giant has returned with an updated list that makes the same announcement only this time adapted to the current Google phone lineup. Users that want to know when their Nexus and Pixel devices will stop receiving security updates can check out the list and see exactly when they should consider buying a newer phone.
Google made sure to allow its users the largest period of time available therefore it actually has two criteria by which it determines if a phone will lose its security update privileges or not. Depending on which criteria offers the user the most remaining time, that one will be enabled for that phone. The first rule Google has implemented long ago says that a phone is going to get new security updates until at least 3 years have passed since the device was first sold on the company’s Play Store. Additionally, the second rule states that it must have been at least 18 months since the last time the handset was sold o nthe same platform. This offers quite an interesting situation that in the end stands to favor everyone.
Let it be known that security update and operating system update isn’t the same thing. The latter refers to Google updating the operating system i.e. OS of a phone, particularly its Google Android version. Security updates refer to small patches pushed through regularly that incorporate new elements that will keep the system virus-free and will keep any exterior threat at bay.