Buying an Android phone in 2025 is an exciting if daunting prospect thanks to the sheer number of available devices in the UK.Brands such as Samsung and Google may be the go-to bestsellers, but rivals such as OnePlus, Xiaomi and Honor have also released excellent high-end alternatives in recent weeks.One often overlooked reason to go for one device over another is software support.It’s one thing for a smartphone to launch with the latest version of Android and pack in up-to-date features, but if the company that makes it only updates the software for two or three years, buyers can be left with an expensive investment that lags behind.People are holding onto their phones for longer, so several Android makers are opting to extend software support for their latest devices.
Samsung and Google both offer seven years of Android updates and, separately, security updates, meaning phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S25, released in January of this year, will get free software updates until 2032.Today, Chinese Android manufacturer Honor announced it is matching Samsung and Google by offering seven years of free software updates for its latest flagship phones, starting with the recently released Honor Magic 7 Pro.Honor made the announcement at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona as part of its ‘Alpha Plan’ event, where the firm called on the tech industry to work closer together to bring useful artificial intelligence to consumers.“We aim to provide devices and services that meet consumer needs and beyond their expectation now and in the future," said James Li, CEO of Honor.Nearby Share: Android explain how mobile users can use feature “Therefore, Honor has decided to offer seven years of Android OS and security updates to the Honor Magic series.This includes our flagship bar phone and foldable phone.This commitment begins with the Honor Magic7 Pro.
We are delighted to make this available to our customers.”Express.co.uk recently reviewed the Magic 7 Pro, giving it a four-and-a-half star review.The impressive £1,099 phone boasts a top tier camera with excellent zoom, premium design and high-end specs, challenging the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in many areas.When Honor released the Magic 7 Pro last month, the phone was guaranteed five years of Android updates and six years of security updates, so the company has moved quickly to bump this up to seven years across the board to match its closest rivals.Honor said this extended support, which also applies to its excellent Magic V3 folding phone, extends the life of devices and reduces e-waste, as well as ensuring that “users enjoy secure, high-performing devices with the latest AI technology throughout their extended lifecycles.”The new software promise is coming first for Magic 7 Pro owners in the EU.Samsung and Google also offer seven years of software updates for their priciest mobiles.
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Read our Privacy Policy“In the future, Honor will offer the extended support to more flagship models, including bar phones and foldable phones,” the company said, implying the perk won’t apply to its cheaper mid-range models such as the Honor Magic 7 Lite.
