When purchasing a mid-range Android smartphone, consumers often prioritize key factors such as the device’s price, features, battery life, and the operating system it runs on. While these considerations are important and certainly influence purchasing decisions, one crucial aspect that sometimes gets overlooked is the long-term software support the phone will receive.
To ensure that your device stays secure and functional over time, it is essential that the smartphone comes with a guarantee of at least one or two operating system upgrades and a commitment to regular security updates for a period of three to four years. This concern is especially significant when you consider the global landscape of Android device usage.
According to recent data from StatCounter, over 60% of Android users worldwide are still running older versions of the operating system, such as Android 13 or even earlier. This translates to nearly 1 billion Android users who are using devices that no longer receive the latest security patches from Google. Without these updates, these users are at a higher risk of being exposed to security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
A report from Zimperium, titled the 2025 Global Mobile Threat Report, sheds light on the broader implications of running outdated operating systems. The research indicates that over 60% of mobile devices globally are running versions of the operating system that no longer receive monthly security updates. This creates a massive gap in the security infrastructure of mobile devices, leaving a significant portion of the population vulnerable to a wide range of cyber threats.
To further illustrate the importance of regular updates, consider this: in December 2025, Google, through its parent company Alphabet Inc., released patches for more than 107 vulnerabilities in Android devices. Of these, 40% were classified as high-severity flaws that could potentially allow attackers to gain access to sensitive information or compromise the functionality of the device. For Android users who are stuck with outdated operating systems, they would not be able to receive these critical patches. As a result, they become prime targets for sophisticated cyberattacks, such as phishing, credential theft, and malware infections.
On the other hand, the situation for iPhone users is quite different. Data shows that nearly 90% of active iPhones worldwide continue to receive timely software updates and security patches, ensuring that the vast majority of iPhone users are protected from potential vulnerabilities. In contrast, only about 10% of iPhone users are left without support for the latest iOS versions. This means that a relatively small proportion of iPhone users are exposed to the risks of cyberattacks, making Apple’s ecosystem far more secure in comparison to Android’s.
This difference in software support between Android and iOS devices highlights the importance of considering long-term security when choosing a smartphone. While the upfront cost and features of a mid-range Android phone may seem attractive, buyers should also think about the device’s future-proofing in terms of software updates. Security patches are not just a luxury but a necessity in today’s increasingly digital world, where cyber threats are more advanced and pervasive than ever.
Therefore, when selecting an Android smartphone, it’s wise to ensure that the device will continue to receive regular operating system upgrades and security patches for the foreseeable future. This investment in security will protect both personal data and the overall functionality of the device, making it a more sustainable and secure choice in the long run.
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