What are software updates and why are they important?

Software updates or operating system updates are a collection of small and large improvements. Some charges aren't visible, but work behind the screen to make your smartphone faster or make your battery last longer. Security is also taken into account. For example, you can determine which files apps can or can't use in Android 13. You don't allow access to all your photos and videos at once. There are come visual adjustments too, like widgets in iOS 14 or new icons in Android 13.

Making updates available costs manufacturers of Android smartphones both time and money. That's why older and certain more affordable models no longer receive updates to the latest version at some point. This differs greatly per brand. For example, iPhone models and Samsung smartphones receive at least 4 large software updates. But some other Android smartphones only receive 2. This affects the lifespan of your device, because your smartphone or tablet lacks more and more new functions and becomes less secure.

Since nearly all manufacturers use a personalized version of Android, they have to change the operating system updates to their own version first. Apple doesn't have this problem, so iPhone and iPad models receive updates almost right away. It takes between 3 and 6 months for most Android devices, but it can be as long as 9 or even 12 months for some models. That means you get access to new functions much later. In addition, you miss out on the large, structural solutions for security issues.

We've gathered all of the known information about the expected number of updates and how soon they'll be available. We've combined this with historical data from comparable models. For example, we've based our expectations for the Samsung S22 on the update policy of the S10, S20, and S21. That way, we can make a good estimate. It's still only an estimate, since we can never be 100% sure what the future will bring. We do update all of our information every month, so it remains as up-to-date as possible.

In this article, you've read what software updates are and why security updates are so important. Security updates are released every month and are a collection of solutions to smaller problems and security breaches. In our advice on the update policy for smartphones and tablets, you can read all about it.