Qualcomm announced it is collaborating with Google to extend support for Android devices running on Snapdragon 8 Elite hardware, providing up to eight years of support.

Qualcomm’s chips power many of the leading Android smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately, at least until recently, the Android world had a reputation for not providing support for hardware nearly as long as Apple does with the iPhone.

According to a company blog post, Qualcomm and Google are paving the way for manufacturers to support devices with security and software updates for up to eight years, beginning with the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Starting with Android smartphones running on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, Qualcomm Technologies now offers device manufacturers the ability to provide support for up to eight consecutive years of Android software and security updates. Smartphones launching on new Snapdragon 8 and 7-series mobile platforms will also be eligible to receive this extended support.

“Qualcomm Technologies is excited to take this step forward, working closely with Google to facilitate the latest Android OS upgrades on devices with Snapdragon,” said Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of mobile handsets, Qualcomm Technologies. “With this advancement, we are raising the bar, providing more flexibility for our OEMs and ultimately enhancing user experiences. We’re excited to see more OEM devices that support Android OS longevity soon.”

“Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.’s efforts to extend the lifespan of Android devices are a key step for increasing the longevity of smartphones,” said Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform. “Through this collaboration, OEMs can more seamlessly update the software and security on their devices, ensuring a more secure and long-lasting Android experience for our users.”

Android Common Kernel Support

A number of third-party Android ROMS, such as LineageOS, endeavor to extend support beyond what is provided by manufacturers, but that doesn’t always mean that devices are fully protected. Often, such support only involves the operating system layer, but excludes updates and fixes to the low-level components, since those must come from the device manufacturer.

Qualcomm says that its new support program will make it possible for manufacturers to extend support to the low-level Android Common Kernel for the full eight-year window.

The program will also include two upgrades to the mobile platform’s Android Common Kernel (ACK) to support the eight-year window. The kernel is the core of every OS, and these ACK kernel upgrades for Android OS will allow OEMs to provide security for their devices longer. This level of support aligns with the key security initiatives in the U.S. and E.U. aimed at improving the cybersecurity standards for hardware and software products.

What this means is that support for platform software included in this program will be made available to OEMs for eight consecutive years, including both Android OS and kernel upgrades, without requiring significant changes or upgrades to the platform and OEM code on the device (a separation commonly referred as “Project Treble” or the “vendor implementation”). While kernel changes will require updating kernel mode drivers, the vendor code can remain unchanged while the software support is being provided. This software support can lower costs for OEMs interested in supporting their devices longer and can show consumers the advantages of Snapdragon mobile processors and software support.

Qualcomm’s announcement is good news for Android users, especially with the ballooning costs of modern flagship devices. With eight years of support, users will be able to effectively use their phones as long as they want before upgrading to a new model.