Ryan Haines / Android Authority
It’s safe to say that we’re living in the golden age of Android updates. All Google Pixel phones come with seven years of guaranteed updates, as do most Samsung phones — including flagships and budget models. Nothing’s latest phone delivers five years of major Android updates, while OnePlus has consistently delivered four years of Android OS upgrades for its phones.
Almost every Android brand has an acceptable or outstanding update policy for its phones … except Motorola.
Software updates are an area where Motorola has always lagged behind the competition, and even when the company has shown signs of improving, it’s fallen back into its old habits. And once again, Motorola has just proven why it’s one of the worst at Android updates.
What do you think about Motorola's Android update policies? 26 votes They're the worst and a real reason not to buy Motorola phones. 69 % I wish they were better, but they aren't a huge deal. 23 % I'm fine with them. Who needs seven years of updates? 4 % Other (let us know in the comments). 4 %
What did Motorola do now?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
We’re talking about Motorola’s poor update policies again because of a recent report from ITdaily. According to the publication, Motorola is trying to weasel out of EU regulations that would require it to significantly extend its current update promises.
This past June, the EU enacted a new rule requiring smartphone manufacturers to support their products with at least five years of software updates and security patches. It’s a good, consumer-friendly rule, and while many Android brands already follow this, Motorola does not. The company’s budget Moto G handsets are promised just two Android OS upgrades, and even Motorola’s top-of-the-line Razr Ultra is limited to only three Android updates.
The EU’s recent regulation on update support should force Motorola to finally turn things around, but according to ITdaily, Motorola’s lawyers are attempting to push back against it. As the report notes, “They [Motorola] believe that the EU does not require a minimum support period for updates at all, but only requires that any updates be offered free of charge.”
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