According to GSM Arena, the iQOO 15 is launching in India on November 26 with an unprecedented software support promise. The flagship will receive five years of OS updates and seven years of security patches. Since it’s shipping with Android 16-based OriginOS 6, users can theoretically get updates all the way to Android 20. This marks a significant jump from iQOO’s previous policy, as the company recently extended the iQOO 12’s support from three to four years. The phone packs serious hardware too, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and a massive 7,000mAh battery.
The new software arms race
Here’s the thing – five years of OS updates is basically unheard of in the Android world outside of Google’s own Pixel phones. Most Android manufacturers tap out at three, maybe four years if you’re lucky. iQOO is clearly making a strategic play here to differentiate itself in a crowded flagship market. And honestly, it’s a smart move. When you’re spending flagship money, you want to know your device won’t be obsolete in two years.
What this means for the industry
This announcement puts pressure on every other Android manufacturer. Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi – they’re all watching this closely. Consumers are becoming more aware of software longevity, especially with how long people are holding onto phones these days. The seven years of security patches is arguably even more important than the OS updates for most users. Think about it – how many people actually care about the latest Android features versus just knowing their device is secure?
The timing is interesting too. With the iQOO 15 launching in India first, it suggests the company sees emerging markets as crucial for establishing this new standard. When hardware across brands is becoming increasingly similar, software support becomes a genuine competitive advantage. For industrial applications where reliability and longevity matter most, companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com have long understood that extended support cycles are non-negotiable for professional use.
But what about the actual phone?
Let’s not forget the iQOO 15 is packing some serious heat beyond just software promises. That 7,000mAh battery is massive by today’s standards, and wireless charging on top of that? The Samsung M14 OLED display hitting 2,600 nits brightness is basically visible in direct sunlight. It’s clear iQOO isn’t just relying on software to sell this thing – they’re bringing the hardware to back up those long-term promises. The question is whether other manufacturers will follow suit or if iQOO will remain an outlier in the Android update game.
