For most readers, Android on a Google Pixel is the best smartphone OS for software updates, because Google states 7 years of OS and security updates for Pixel 8 and later phones, with Pixel Drops adding new features during that period. Apple iOS is the closest rival for long support, with Apple stating a minimum of 5 years of security support in its UK statements, while iPhone 11 still received iOS 27 about 7 years after launch. Murena states at least 8 years of software support for its Fairphone Gen. 6 phones with /e/OS, which is longer than the 7 year published period for Pixel 8 and later phones and for Samsung Galaxy S24 and later flagships.
Pick by support length first, then by update speed and app fit. The items below use the support periods stated on official pages opened on 2026-11-12.
On this page
Best smartphone os for software updates: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple iOS | Long support on iPhone with automatic updates | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 2 | Android on Google Pixel | Longest published Android support with fast updates | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 3 | Samsung One UI | Long support on Galaxy phones with many features | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 4 | GrapheneOS | Security focused updates on Pixel phones | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 5 | LineageOS | Keeping many older phones current | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 6 | /e/OS | Long support without Google services | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 7 | CalyxOS | Privacy focused updates with a clear support list | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 8 | Ubuntu Touch | Linux based updates for supported older phones | $0 | Yes | Visit |
The 8 best best smartphone os for software updates, in detail
Apple iOS
Best for: Long support on iPhone with automatic updates
Apple describes keeping software up to date as one of the most important steps for the security of an Apple product, and its support page tells users to turn on automatic updates when they first set up a device. Updates can arrive wirelessly, and the phone can download and install an update overnight while charging and connected to Wi-Fi. The support record is long in practice.
- Apple states a minimum of 5 years of security support from the first supply date in its UK statements for recent iPhone models, and iPhone 11, release
- One limit: the 5 year figure is a minimum for security updates, not a promise that every model gets the same number of major iOS versions.
- Check the exact model list for each iOS release before you buy an older iPhone.
Pros
- Automatic updates can install overnight while charging
- older models still get security updates on older iOS branches
- update steps are the same on every supported iPhone
Cons
- Apple does not state one fixed number of years for major iOS versions for every model
- some new features need newer hardware and do not reach older phones
Android on Google Pixel
Best for: Longest published Android support with fast updates
Google states the rule in plain terms on its Pixel help page. Pixel 8 and later phones get updates for 7 years starting from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US. That period includes 7 years of OS and security updates, and it may also include new and upgraded features with Pixel Drops.
- Pixel 7a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel Fold get 5 years from the same start point.
- That start date matters for late buyers.
- A Pixel 8 bought in 2026 still ends its 7 year period in October 2030, because the clock started in October 2023.
- Pixel 5a and earlier models no longer receive Android version updates and security updates, according to the same Google page.
Pros
- Pixel 8 and later phones get 7 years of OS and security updates
- Pixel Drops can add new features during the support period
- updates come direct from Google without a maker skin in the way
Cons
- Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 families get 5 years, not 7 years
- the 7 year clock starts when the model first became available on the Google Store in the US, not on the date you buy it
Samsung One UI
Best for: Long support on Galaxy phones with many features
Samsung matches Google on its newest flagships. Starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung promises 7 generations of OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates. That covers the Galaxy S24, S25 and later flagship families, plus foldables starting with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.
- With the Galaxy A16, Samsung now promises 6 Android upgrades and 6 years of security patches on its Galaxy A phones.
- One limit: a Galaxy S23 or earlier flagship stays on 4 Android upgrades and 5 years of security updates, so the 7 year figure does not apply to every
Pros
- Galaxy S24 and later flagships get 7 generations of OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates
- many Galaxy A models get 6 generations and 6 years
- monthly security patches cover most of the support period
Cons
- Older Galaxy models stay on the earlier 4 generation and 5 year policy
- patch timing can vary by model, market and carrier, and the final year can move to quarterly patches
GrapheneOS
Best for: Security focused updates on Pixel phones
GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility, built for Pixel phones. Its releases page lists automatic over the air updates, with full update packages for uncommon cases. The update system checks for updates about once every 6 hours when there is network connectivity, then downloads and installs updates in the background.
- Releases are tested by the developers, then pushed out through the Alpha channel, then the Beta channel, then the Stable channel after testing by user
- The current Stable release listed on 2026-11-12 was 2026110700, with a newer 2026110800 build also listed.
- One limit: support follows Pixel hardware, so a phone that Google stops supporting for firmware can lose full coverage even if GrapheneOS still ships
Pros
- Automatic over the air updates with delta packages
- releases move through Alpha, Beta and Stable channels
- updates are signed and verified, with rollback if a new version fails to boot
Cons
- Only Pixel phones and Pixel Tablet are supported, so most phone brands are out
- install needs a supported Pixel and care with the official install guide
LineageOS
Best for: Keeping many older phones current
LineageOS is a free and open source operating system for various devices, based on the Android mobile platform. Its homepage states that it offers monthly security updates to every supported device. As of 2026-11-11, its device list had current builds for 353 phones, with 188 on Android 17, 49 on Android 16 and 116 on older versions.
- A phone that the maker stopped updating years ago can still get a current Android version and monthly security patches, as long as a maintainer keeps
- One limit: the list also holds 288 phones with older builds that no longer get updates, so a model can move from current to older when its maintainer
Pros
- Current builds cover 353 phones from 37 brands, with 188 on Android 17
- official builds include built in automatic over the air updates
- LineageOS 24 is based on Android 17
Cons
- Support depends on a volunteer maintainer for each model, so a model can lose builds
- phones on Linux kernel 4.4 or 4.9 stay on LineageOS 22.2 and do not get LineageOS 24 builds
/e/OS
Best for: Long support without Google services
Murena states at least 8 years of software support on the Fairphone Gen. 6 and Gen. 6 Plus product pages, and its FAQ gives the same aim: at least 8 years of software updates and security patches.
- Murena also states that it publishes software updates for its phones at least every 2 months, and sometimes every month.
- While Google Android support for the Fairphone 3 ended in August 2026 after 7 years, Murena added 2 more years of software updates and security suppor
- One limit: /e/OS ships without Google Mobile Services, so apps that depend heavily on those services might not run properly.
Pros
- Murena states at least 8 years of software support for Fairphone Gen. 6 phones with /e/OS
- updates arrive at least every 2 months
- most Android apps still run, with a privacy score for each app
Cons
- Google Mobile Services are not preinstalled, so some apps that depend on them may not run well
- in app purchases are not supported at present
CalyxOS
Best for: Privacy focused updates with a clear support list
CalyxOS is an Android mobile operating system that puts privacy and security in the hands of everyday users, from The Calyx Institute. Its device support page lists each model with an OS upgrade target and a security update end date. Pixel 10a is listed to March 2033, Pixel 9a to April 2032, and Pixel 9 models to August 2031.
- CalyxOS targets the latest Android version, currently 17.0, and its November 2026 security update, CalyxOS 8.0.5.20 and 8.0.5.21, included November 20
- One limit: non Pixel devices follow a different schedule that is usually behind AOSP updates by a month or 2 for proprietary parts.
Pros
- Support page lists an OS upgrade target and a security update end date for each model
- CalyxOS 8.0 is based on Android 17
- monthly security updates aim to reach the stable channel in the same week as the AOSP release
Cons
- The stable list covers 30 phones, far fewer than LineageOS
- non Pixel devices can lag a month or 2 behind AOSP updates for proprietary parts
Ubuntu Touch
Best for: Linux based updates for supported older phones
Ubuntu Touch is the privacy and freedom respecting mobile operating system by UBports, based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Its October 2026 release, Ubuntu Touch 24.04-2.1, added 8 devices to the supported list, including Nothing Phone (1), OnePlus Nord N10 and N100, and Xiaomi Poco M2 Pro. The same release fixed a security flaw that let unconfined apps gain privilege without a password, and updated the Morph Browser engine to QtWebEngine 6.11.2 based on Chromium 140.
- Existing users get updates by going to System Settings and Updates, with devices allocated the update over coming days so a bad update can be stopped.
- One limit: UBports states that 24.04-2.0 is not available on all currently supported devices because of increased system storage needs, so a supported
Pros
- Ubuntu Touch 24.04-2.1 and 24.04-1.5 arrived in October 2026 with a security fix and 8 new devices
- updates arrive through System Settings and Updates on the phone
- Waydroid lets many Android apps run
Cons
- No fixed number of years is published for each model, so support length varies by device
- 24.04-2.0 is not available on every supported device because of storage needs
How we chose
We ranked support length first, then update speed, model coverage and app fit. We used only the support periods stated on official pages opened on 2026-11-12: Google Pixel help, Apple Support, Murena product pages, GrapheneOS releases, LineageOS homepage, CalyxOS device support, and the UBports release blog. Samsung figures come from Samsung announcements for the Galaxy S24 series and later flagships. We did not test any tool hands-on. We did not install any OS, and we did not use customer counts, awards or review scores to rank items. A unique fact in this article is that Murena states at least 8 years of software support for Fairphone Gen. 6 phones with /e/OS, which is longer than the 7 year published period for Pixel 8 and later phones and for Samsung Galaxy S24 and later flagships.
Which OS fits your needs
| Need | Pick | Support period |
|---|---|---|
| Longest published support on a new phone | /e/OS on Fairphone Gen. 6 | At least 8 years |
| Longest published support on Android | Android on Google Pixel 8 or later | 7 years |
| Longest published support on Galaxy | Samsung One UI on Galaxy S24 or later | 7 years |
| Long support on iPhone | Apple iOS | Minimum 5 years security, about 7 years in practice for iPhone 11 |
| Keep an old phone current | LineageOS | Varies by model, 353 current builds |
| Security focused Pixel updates | GrapheneOS | Follows Pixel hardware, Stable 2026110700 |
| Privacy with a dated support list | CalyxOS | To March 2033 for Pixel 10a |
| Linux phone with Android apps | Ubuntu Touch | Varies by model, 24.04-2.1 current |
Frequently asked questions
Which smartphone OS gets software updates for the longest time?
Murena states at least 8 years of software support for Fairphone Gen. 6 phones with /e/OS, the longest published period in this list. Google Pixel 8 and later phones get 7 years, and Samsung Galaxy S24 and later flagships get 7 generations of OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates.
Which is the best smartphone OS for software updates for most people?
Android on a Google Pixel is the best pick for most people, because Google states 7 years of OS and security updates for Pixel 8 and later phones, with Pixel Drops adding features during that period. Apple iOS is the best pick if you already use an iPhone, with automatic overnight updates.
How long will my Pixel get updates?
It depends on the model. Pixel 8 and later phones get updates for 7 years from first availability on the Google Store in the US. Pixel 7a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel Fold get 5 years from the same start point.
Can a custom OS keep my old phone updated?
Yes, in many cases. LineageOS had current builds for 353 phones, with 188 on Android 17, and CalyxOS lists support dates to March 2033 for Pixel 10a. Support depends on the exact model and maintainer, so check the official device list for your codename before you install.
Does Samsung One UI get 7 years of updates on every Galaxy phone?
No. Samsung promises 7 generations of OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates for Galaxy S24 and later flagships, plus foldables from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. Galaxy A16 gets 6 generations and 6 years, while the Galaxy S23 stays on 4 generations and 5 years.
Is the OS itself free?
Yes, for every item in this list. iOS, Pixel Android and Samsung One UI are included with the phone at $0, and GrapheneOS, LineageOS, /e/OS, CalyxOS and Ubuntu Touch are offered as free downloads on their official pages. That keeps the choice focused on the phone hardware and on support length.
Sources
- https://support.apple.com/en-in/118575
- https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/4457705?hl=en
- https://www.samsung.com/
- https://grapheneos.org/releases
- https://lineageos.org/
- https://murena.com/shop/smartphones/brand-new/fairphone-gen-6-plus/
- https://calyxos.org/docs/guide/device-support/
- https://ubports.com/blog/ubports-news-1/ubuntu-touch-24-04-2-1-and-24-04-1-5-release-4014
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.