Buying a smartphone for three or four years is no longer an ambitious goal.
Modern hardware can remain useful for much longer, but software support often decides whether a phone stays secure, compatible with new apps and worth keeping.
In 2026, Google and Samsung are among the clearest leaders in Android longevity, while Apple continues to support older iPhones for long periods without advertising the same fixed forward-support window.
Here are the best smartphone families to consider if you want to keep your next phone for at least five years.
1. Google Pixel 8, Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 Series
Software commitment: 7 years of OS and security updates
Google offers one of the clearest long-term Android support policies available today.
According to Google's official Pixel support policy, Pixel 8 and later phones receive seven years of operating-system and security updates, counted from when each device first became available on the Google Store in the US.
That policy covers newer generations including the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 families.
Why Pixel Stands Out
Pixel phones are particularly attractive for buyers who value fast Android updates because Google develops Android and controls the Pixel software platform.
Buyers can expect:
Google also says eligible Pixel phones can receive new and upgraded features through Pixel Drops during their support period, as detailed on its official Pixel update page.
Best for
Users who want clean Android, fast updates and long-term software support.
SpecFront Longevity Rating: 5/5
2. Samsung Galaxy S-Series
Software commitment: 7 generations of OS upgrades + 7 years of security updates
Samsung now competes directly with Google on flagship software longevity.
Samsung introduced its seven-generation update commitment with the Galaxy S24 series, promising seven generations of operating-system upgrades and seven years of security updates, according to Samsung's official Galaxy S24 announcement.
The policy continued with later flagship generations.
For example, Samsung confirmed the same seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the Galaxy S25 series in its official Galaxy S25 announcement.
Why Samsung Is Strong for Long-Term Ownership
Samsung combines long software support with:
One UI feature upgrades
Samsung Knox security
multitasking tools
Galaxy ecosystem integration
Samsung DeX on supported models
strong service availability in India
For someone planning to keep a phone for five or six years, repair availability matters almost as much as software updates.
Best for
Buyers who want flagship hardware, long Android support and Samsung's wider ecosystem.
SpecFront Longevity Rating: 5/5
3. Samsung Galaxy FE Models
You do not necessarily need Samsung's most expensive Galaxy S Ultra to receive long-term support.
Samsung says the Galaxy S25 FE receives seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, according to the company's official Galaxy S25 FE announcement.
That makes the FE line particularly interesting for buyers who want flagship-level software longevity at a lower price.
The trade-off is that FE models usually compromise on some areas of hardware compared with the main Galaxy S flagship lineup.
Best for
Buyers seeking Samsung's long update policy without paying Ultra-level prices.
SpecFront Longevity Rating: 5/5
4. Samsung Galaxy A-Series
Samsung's long software support now extends into more affordable phones.
For example, Samsung promises up to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades plus up to six years of security updates for the Galaxy A57 5G, according to Samsung's official Galaxy A57 announcement.
Samsung also lists six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates for the Galaxy A17 5G on its official India product page.
That is impressive for phones positioned well below flagship pricing.
But There Is an Important Catch
Long software support does not guarantee that entry-level hardware will still feel fast six years later.
RAM, storage speed, processor performance and battery health all matter.
For genuine long-term ownership, the Galaxy A57's stronger hardware may age more comfortably than a cheaper entry-level Galaxy even if both have lengthy update policies.
Best for
Budget and mid-range buyers who prioritise software longevity.
Galaxy A57 Longevity Rating: 4.5/5
Galaxy A17 5G Longevity Rating: 4/5
5. Apple iPhone
Software commitment: No fixed seven-year public guarantee
Apple needs to be treated differently from Google and Samsung.
Apple does not normally advertise new iPhones with a fixed promise such as “seven years of iOS upgrades.”
However, its historical support record is strong.
Apple's current compatibility information shows that older iPhone generations continue to receive modern iOS releases. You can check the currently supported devices on Apple's official iPhone software compatibility page.
Apple also publishes security fixes and software releases through its official security releases page.
Why iPhones Still Work Well for Long-Term Buyers
Apple controls both its processors and operating system, which gives the company tighter control over long-term compatibility.
Other advantages include:
But there is an important distinction.
With a qualifying Pixel or Galaxy, buyers receive an explicit forward-looking support promise.
With an iPhone, buyers are relying more heavily on Apple's historical record.
Best for
Users who value ecosystem integration, resale value and Apple's strong history of supporting older hardware.
SpecFront Longevity Rating: 4.5/5
6. Fairphone 5
Software commitment: At least 8 years of support + 5 major Android upgrades
Fairphone takes smartphone longevity further than most mainstream manufacturers.
According to Fairphone's official software longevity policy, the Fairphone 5 is promised at least eight years of software support and five major Android version upgrades.
But Fairphone's biggest advantage is not software alone.
The company designs its phones around repairability, offering replaceable parts such as batteries, displays and camera modules through its official spare-parts programme.
That matters because a phone intended to last eight years will almost certainly need hardware maintenance at some point.
The India Problem
Fairphone is much less practical for Indian buyers than Samsung, Google or Apple.
Official availability, network compatibility, repair access and warranty support need to be checked carefully before importing one.
Best for
Sustainability-focused buyers in supported markets.
SpecFront Longevity Rating: 4/5 for Indian buyers
Quick Comparison
Phone Family | Major OS Support | Security Support | Best For |
|---|
Google Pixel 8 and newer | 7-year update window | 7 years | Fast Android updates |
Galaxy S24 and newer | 7 generations | 7 years | Flagship Android longevity |
Galaxy S25 FE | 7 generations | 7 years | Flagship support for less |
Galaxy A57 | Up to 6 generations | Up to 6 years | Mid-range longevity |
Galaxy A17 5G | 6 generations | 6 years | Budget longevity |
Current iPhones | No fixed forward count | Strong historical support | Ecosystem and resale |
Fairphone 5 | 5 major upgrades | At least 8 years overall | Repairability |
Which Phone Is Best for Long-Term Software Support?
Best Overall Android Choice: Google Pixel
Google's policy is simple and transparent.
Pixel 8 and later devices receive seven years of OS and security updates, according to Google's official support documentation.
Pixels are especially attractive if receiving Android updates quickly matters to you.
Best Samsung Choice: Galaxy S-Series
Recent Galaxy S flagships combine long support with high-end hardware that should have enough performance headroom to remain useful several years from now.
Samsung's seven-generation commitment is detailed in its official Galaxy flagship announcements.
Best Mid-Range Choice: Galaxy A57
The Galaxy A57 stands out because Samsung promises up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security maintenance, while still giving buyers stronger hardware than its entry-level models.
Samsung details that commitment in its official India announcement.
Long Support Is Only Half the Story
If you genuinely intend to keep a phone for five to seven years, software support should not be your only consideration.
RAM
For Android, 8GB RAM or more is preferable for long-term ownership.
Applications and operating systems generally become more demanding over time.
Storage
Consider 256GB storage if you expect to keep the phone for many years, particularly if you take lots of photos and videos.
Battery Replacement
A smartphone battery will degrade long before a seven-year software-support period ends.
Check whether authorised battery replacement is easily available.
Repair Support
A seven-year software promise means little if a broken display or charging port cannot be repaired affordably.
Processor Performance
Extra performance today can become useful headroom several Android generations later.
SpecFront Take
Long software support has become one of the most meaningful improvements in modern smartphones.
Google's seven-year Pixel commitment is clearly documented on its official support page, while Samsung offers similarly strong support on recent Galaxy flagships and increasingly long update policies on its mid-range phones.
Apple remains a strong long-term option because of its historical software record, although we would not describe that as the same type of fixed seven-year guarantee.
Fairphone goes even further by combining extended software support with repairable hardware.
For most buyers in India, however, Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy currently offer the most practical combination of long software support, strong hardware and accessible after-sales service.
If you are buying a phone today with the intention of still using it in 2031, the question should not simply be:
“How fast is this phone now?”
It should be:
“Will this phone still receive updates, remain repairable and have enough hardware performance five years from now?”