Compared to the iPhone, Android smartphones have always had the problem of fragmentation. While the iPhone models are the only ones with iOS (therefore they receive updates gradually, until the end of the support from Apple) with Android phones the update times are always different from manufacturer to manufacturer, especially when it is released a new version of the green operating system.
Having the most updated version of the smartphone operating system may not be so decisive in choosing one model over another but, if we want to have a safe phone with the latest features, we must choose if possible a manufacturer that offers at least 1 update per year or that provides at least one major update to the version change.
In this guide we will show you the update speed of the various Android smartphone manufacturers, so that you can choose your future phone also based on this parameter.
Faster manufacturers with Android updates
Below we will show you the main Android smartphone manufacturers, showing you the update times and the support period (ie for when, after the purchase, the smartphone can hope to receive updates).
Being produced directly by Google, they are the first smartphones to receive Android updates, both version changes and minor updates (which introduce new security patches and optimizations). In fact, these smartphones are the direct competitors of the iPhones, both for the price applied on the new models and for the speed with which the new updates are released (also in advance version for developers). Pixels receive direct support from Google for 18 months: in this period of time we will surely receive at least 2 releases of new versions of Android. After this period, receive only security updates or (rarely) some version updates, only if the phone is compatible.
Currently the latest smartphones in this series are the Google Pixel 3, but the Pixel 4 is also out, and the cheapest Pixel 3A.
Android One
Android One is a line of smartphones that present a "smooth" version of Android (without manufacturer customizations) and in which software updates are provided directly by Google.
These smartphones receive system updates with great frequency, almost at the same level as the Pixels (usually no more than a month since the release of the new version of Android on the Pixels). The support is 18 months and guarantees 2 new versions of the operating system and 3 years of security patches as a minimum. Beyond this period, we will only be able to receive tested security updates or Android releases.
The best Android One smartphone available in Italy is the Xiaomi Mi A3, available here -> Xiaomi Mi A3 (€ 214). Alternatively we can bet on the Nokia 7.1, available here -> Nokia 7.1 (265 €).
OnePlus
The Chinese manufacturer OnePlus ranks first for the speed of updates among manufacturers who use a customized version of Android.
The OxygenOS operating system (based on Android) is updated to a new version of Android on average 50 days after the release of this version on the Pixel and Android One, thus showing itself very fast in bringing its customers all the news introduced by Google . The support is usually 18 months, although there is no lack of major updates even after that date. OnePlus however releases a large number of updates to make improvements, apply security patches and increase battery life.
Currently the best OnePlus phone in circulation is the OnePlus 7, available here -> OnePlus 7 (€ 599).
Sony
Another very fast smartphone maker in the release of updates is Sony, which ranks second immediately behind OnePlus.
The Android operating system customized by Sony is updated between 50 and 60 days after the release of a new version of Android, making it one of the fastest among third-party manufacturers, with guaranteed 18-month support (at least 2 releases of Android possible).
Currently the best Sony smartphone we can buy is Sony Xperia 10 Plus, available here -> Sony Xperia 10 Plus (365 €).
Xiaomi
Another Chinese manufacturer that releases frequent updates of its operating system is Xiaomi, which adopts an update policy slightly different from that of its competitors.
With Xiaomi we will receive on average an update every 4 months (every month in the versions dedicated to the developers) and they will include all the security patches, the optimizations of the operating system and the introduction of new features, often "borrowed" from the new release of Android. The "big" update, the one that also includes the passage of the Android version, is on average released after 100 days from the release by Google on the Pixels and on the Android One line. All Xiaomi are officially supported for 2 years and receive updates in this period (even those of medium-low range), but updates are often available even after this period.
Currently the best Xiaomi smartphone is the Xiaomi Mi 9, available here -> Xiaomi Mi 9 (422 €).
Samsung and Huawei
The market leaders in smartphone sales, Samsung and Huawei, have a somewhat controversial policy on system updates.
The high-end models are updated with a fair speed but for the passage of the Android version it is usually necessary at least 150 days from the release of Google. Unfortunately, the sore point is on medium-low end smartphones : they often only receive minor updates and very rarely see a version update for Android; we will therefore have valid smartphones that age quickly, with the lack of support that usually "starts" just one year after release. If you decide to bet on a Samsung or a Huawei, it is better to spend a little more and secure a more expensive model, which will surely receive the version of Android following its release.
Currently the best high-end smartphones for Samsung and Huawei are the Samsung Galaxy S10 + and the Huawei P30 Pro, both available here -> Samsung Galaxy S10 + (720 €) and Huawei P30 Pro (799 €).
Conclusions
If our priority on the smartphone is updates, just focus on the fastest manufacturers recommended in this guide to be on the safe side and always get the latest release of Android as soon as available.Unfortunately Samsung, Huawei, LG and Motorola (the latter two are so worsened that they have not even been mentioned in the guide) I have an insufficient update policy, which often penalizes low-end products and allows you to obtain only one large update on the high-end smartphones: the situation has improved compared to the past, but for these manufacturers there is still a long way to go.
To get a detail of the smartphones that will receive Android 10, the latest version of Android released in 2019, we can see the report of the Digital Trends website, with the list of all smartphones that, according to the declarations of various manufacturers, will be updated this year or, at the latest, the next.
If we want to update our smartphone without waiting for the manufacturer's update, we recommend you read our guide on How to update Android (even without installing new versions), so that we can update the main apps and get frequent and constant updates.
If, on the other hand, we are looking for a cheap smartphone but we are afraid of not receiving any updates, we advise you to read our guide on the cheap Android smartphone: it is better to buy one, so you can check all the parameters to be respected in order to buy a valid and long-lasting product.
Finally, if the smartphone has not received any updates for years, we can also evaluate the transition to a Custom ROM, as described in our guide How to install a Custom Android ROM .
