Android updates are notorious for their inconsistency, especially for users with midrange or budget phones. While flagship owners like Google Pixel and Samsung users often receive updates promptly, older chipsets, especially those from Exynos or MediaTek, often see limited updates beyond security patches. This fragmentation is a major issue that makes Android less appealing compared to Apple’s consistent software updates for up to seven years.
To address this challenge, Qualcomm, a leading chipset manufacturer, is working on a solution. In a recent interview with Android Authority, Chris Patrick, Qualcomm’s senior vice president and general manager of handsets, confirmed the company’s efforts to simplify the update process for OEMs. The goal is to reduce the bottlenecks faced by manufacturers when pushing updates to older devices.
Patrick highlighted the complexity and cost involved for OEMs in delivering updates to every user, including security patches and Android version upgrades. Qualcomm has been quietly optimizing the code behind these updates for years, and a formal announcement about these changes is expected later this year. While not a magic bullet for fragmentation, it represents a significant step towards improving the update experience.
While the exact timeline for the announcement remains unclear, potential windows include IFA Berlin in September and the Snapdragon Summit in October, coinciding with the launch of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. Qualcomm’s software update announcement alongside a new chipset launch would make perfect sense. As we approach fall, we can expect to gain more insight into these changes and their potential impact on the future of Android updates.
