OnePlus, Google, and Samsung are all major players in the smartphone market, each with their own latest releases. However, it’s worth noting one significant difference between them: their software update policies. While Google and Samsung offer 7 years of technical support for their flagship models, OnePlus limits itself to just 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches.
In an interview with Tom’s Guide, OnePlus CEO Kinder Liu used a sandwich analogy to explain the rationale behind their software update policy. Liu stated that the bread slice and the filling of a sandwich represent the user experience and the phone’s software, respectively.
Doubts have been raised about the usefulness of the filling (software) after seven years and the possibility that the bread slice (user experience) may become stale after four years. According to Liu, if the user experience is not optimal after four years, then a seven-year software update policy is irrelevant.
Furthermore, Liu pointed out the improbability of any phone battery lasting that long without replacement, which, from an economic standpoint, could lead to purchasing a new phone.
Liu justified his stance by sharing the results of tests conducted by OnePlus in collaboration with TÜV SUD. The results of various durability tests, simulating years of usage, show that the OnePlus 12 still delivers “fast and smooth” performance after four years of use.
Moreover, research conducted by Counterpoint Research suggests that the average upgrade cycle for Android users is four years. This support serves as the foundation for OnePlus’ software update policy.
While OnePlus believes that a 7-year Android update policy “completely misunderstands the essence,” the company cannot ignore the fact that it might become a decisive factor for consumers who want to use Android phones for a longer period than the average four-year update cycle. This, in turn, could impact the overall appeal of OnePlus’ offerings.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
1. What are the differences in software update policies between OnePlus, Google, and Samsung?
OnePlus limits itself to four years of Android updates and five years of security patches. In contrast, Google and Samsung offer up to seven years of technical support for their flagship models.
2. What analogy does OnePlus CEO Kinder Liu use to compare the software update policy?
The CEO of OnePlus uses a sandwich analogy to explain the rationale behind the software update policy. He states that the bread slice (user experience) and the filling (phone software) influence the quality of the phone’s usage.
3. What doubts have been raised regarding the usefulness of the software after seven years?
There have been doubts raised about the usefulness of the software after seven years and the possibility that the user experience may deteriorate after four years.
4. Why does OnePlus CEO believe that a 7-year software update policy is not important?
According to the OnePlus CEO, if the user experience is not optimal after four years, then a seven-year software update policy is irrelevant.
5. Why is the battery an important factor in the decision to purchase a new phone?
The OnePlus CEO pointed out the improbability of any phone battery lasting that long without replacement. From an economic standpoint, this could lead to purchasing a new phone.
DEFINITIONS:
1. Software update policy – the rules and strategies a company follows to provide operating system updates and security patches for its devices.
2. Flagship models – top-of-the-line smartphones that represent a brand and offer the latest features and technologies.
3. Software – programs and applications that enable the operation and utilization of phone functions.
4. Security – ensuring protection against remote attacks, viruses, and other threats to user privacy.
5. Durability test results – the outcomes of tests that simulate years of usage and assess whether a phone maintains its performance, speed, and smoothness.
RECOMMENDED LINKS:
– oneplus.com – Official OnePlus website.
– android.com – Official Android website.
– samsung.com – Official Samsung website.
The source of the article is from the blog karacasanime.com.ve