Seven years of Android updates doesn't mean you'll get the latest features

Android OEMs offering seven years of software updates is a positive trend for customers who keep their phones for a long time. However, many newer features are likely to be paywalled in the future, requiring a subscription. The promise of longer software support doesn’t guarantee access to all new features, which could be disappointing for consumers. Many of the newer features are likely to be paywalled in the future. For instance, the new Galaxy AI features on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series are free only until the end of 2025, after which they will need a subscription ¹.