OnePlus President Explains Why Company Didn’t Offer Seven Years of Software Updates with OnePlus 12
Long-term Software Updates
In the realm of smartphones, there are currently only two brands that offer the longest software updates for their flagship devices. These are Samsung and OnePlus, both of which have recently announced impressive seven years of Android updates for their premium phones, namely the Galaxy S24 series and the Pixel 8 duo. While OnePlus trails Samsung in terms of the update policy, extending up to four years with an additional five years of security updates, the company’s President has now come forward to reveal the reasoning behind OnePlus’ update strategy for their latest OnePlus 12.
Fluency of User Experience
In an exclusive interview with Tom’s Guide, Kinder Liu, the President of OnePlus, explained the company’s stance on software update policies. Liu stated, “Simply offering longer software update policies completely misses the point.” According to Liu, it’s not just about the software updates but also the overall user experience and performance of the device.
Liu drew an analogy between a smartphone and a sandwich, asserting that some manufacturers claim the sandwich’s filling, i.e., the phone’s software, will still be good to eat even after seven years. However, what they fail to disclose is that the bread component, representing the user experience, may deteriorate after four years. Therefore, a lengthy software update policy loses significance if the rest of the phone’s performance is subpar.
Guaranteed Fast and Smooth Performance
OnePlus prioritizes users’ experience and hardware performance. Liu disclosed that OnePlus conducted comprehensive tests in collaboration with TÜV SUD for their latest flagship devices, the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R, to simulate years of usage. Based on the results, the company made a conscious decision to guarantee a “fast and smooth” performance for up to four years.
Battery Concerns and the Competition
Liu highlights another aspect to consider – the potential battery degradation a phone might face after seven years of use. He acknowledges that while competitors boast a seven-year software update policy, the longevity of their phone’s battery is uncertain. To address this, my colleague Hadlee Simons recently explored the possibility of using removable batteries in smartphones, specifically discussing the need for manufacturers like Samsung to consider this option.
It is evident that OnePlus is focusing on delivering the best overall phone experience by ensuring their software update policy aligns with their device’s capabilities and performance. While seven-year software promises may sound appealing, the real-life experience of the phone, including battery life, should be critically evaluated to deliver on user expectations.
