Yet another phone maker is now promising 3 years of major Android updates

Looks like Samsung has kicked off a trend of extended software updates in the Android smartphone world. Last week, Chinese phone maker Oppo announced that the Find X3 series will get three years of software support. Now, the firm’s sister brand Vivo has also jumped on the bandwagon and announced three years of Android updates for its flagship X series phones.

Vivo will provide three major Android OS upgrades and security updates for select models launching after July 2021. This means phones like the recently launched Vivo X60 series or last year’s X50 phones won’t be eligible for three Android updates.

“Featuring top-of-the-line hardware, the X series flagship phones are built to last – and we want to make sure that our customers get software support that lives up to their expectations,” said Yujian Shi, Senior Vice President and CTO of Vivo.

Vivo’s new software update policy includes future flagship phones launching in Europe, India, and Australia. The existing premium X series models that aren’t eligible will continue to receive regular Android security updates.

While Vivo’s move to provide more Android updates is a step in the right direction, it’s unfortunate that only the company’s flagship phones will benefit from it. Samsung, on the other hand, has also extended three years of Android OS updates to its cheaper Galaxy A phones.

Nevertheless, we hope other phone makers, especially Xiaomi, also take a cue from the growing number of brands committing to three years of Android updates. Else, they’ll find it increasingly difficult to compete in a day and age where customers consider long-term software support as an important factor before buying new phones.