More Android phones could soon provide longer lifetime support updates thanks to a new agreement between Qualcomm and Google. Qualcomm announced on Monday that “up to eight consecutive years of software and security updates” will be available to Android phones running on future Snapdragon 8 and Snapdragon 7-series chips.

The Linux kernel (Android is just another flavor of Linux, mostly) is also included here because it may need to be updated and patched to support newer versions. Qualcomm says it's committed to supplying whatever is needed for two versions of the Android Common Kernel to meet that eight-year window.

Qualcomm and Google are working together to provide up to 8 years of software updates for Android phones, starting with new Snapdragon chips. The extended support is a challenge to Google's Pixel series,

Qualcomm is teaming up with Google to bring 8 years worth of updates to all Android devices with Snapdragon 8 and 7 series chipsets.

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Qualcomm and Google collaborate to extend the duration of Android software updates, enhancing device longevity and security.

Qualcomm and Google announced extended support for Snapdragon 8 and 7-series chipsets this week, meaning owners of supported devices could be in line for up to 8 full years of software and security updates.

However, Qualcomm is aiming to push software support even further. The company has partnered with Google to offer up to eight years of Android updates and security patches for devices utilizing its latest Snapdragon 8 Elite platform. This new initiative allows manufacturers using Snapdragon 8 Elite to provide extended software support.

The extended support window only applies to Android devices with the latest Qualcomm chipsets. To start, the eight-year support timeline will be extended to devices running the new Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform,