Google enforces 2 years of security patches for Android smartphones — no more worries about outdated OS?

Google releases security patches every month, but few manufacturers actually push them out to devices. Google will be enforcing that OEMs deliver updates to their popular devices at least once every three months.

According to confidential documents procured by The Verge, OEMs are now required to deliver security patches within 90 days to devices to every device that has more than 100 000 users. That gives manufacturers some leeway, as in they won’t have to spend extra resources supporting unpopular devices and can focus on the more popular ones.

Any device which was launched after 31st January is covered by these terms. Failure to comply will see Google witholding approval of future devices, preventing them from ever being launched at all.

What this means is that the more popular (and usually more affordable) devices would be getting more attention. Affordable devices traditionally do not really see much support, so this requirement from Google might actually see more support for them. However we must reiterate that this appears to be only valid in the EU, and might not apply to all regions.

What do you think of this new requirement? I know of people who usually do not like to install updates, and we understand them. But keeping your device updated is very important for security reasons.

Pokdepinion: If this applies worldwide, OPPO and vivo have a lot of work to do, as their devices are popular in India, but rarely see updates.