The Snapdragon 8 Elite will now enable device manufacturers to offer up to eight years of Android software and security updates, a significant leap forward in long-term support.

In a new partnership with Google, Qualcomm introduced a programme ensuring platform software support for eight consecutive years.

This initiative means Android OS and kernel upgrades will be available without requiring significant overhauls to the platform and OEM code, thanks to Project Treble and the vendor implementation model.

While kernel updates will still need modifications, the vendor code can remain stable, reducing the burden on manufacturers.

A key aspect of this programme includes two upgrades to the Android Common Kernel (ACK) to accommodate the extended timeline. Though it's ultimately up to manufacturers to implement these updates, Qualcomm's extended software support aims to lower costs for OEMs committed to keeping devices updated longer.

This initiative will first benefit Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered smartphones launching with Android 15. The programme will extend to the next five generations of Qualcomm SoCs, including future Snapdragon 8 and 7-series chips expected to debut later this year. Older chipsets will not be included in this extended support plan.