In February 2017 Nokia launched their new Android One (and Go) phones to the market, promising two years of major OS updates and two years of regular security dates. Perhaps with a big tick to Google’s Android One Nokia have decided to extend this security support for an extra year to the four Android One phones launched then.
Nokia have announced on their community page that once the Nokia 8, 6, 5 and 3 reach their two years from launch they will still “be able to receive quarterly security patch updates right through to the end of the 3rd year.” These quarterly security updates will include all patches from the prior three months.
Nokia have stated that they want to be open and clear to their fans just how long their device will receive security updates for. This will apply going forwards to the entire Nokia suite of smartphones. Beginning with the Nokia 3 in September the Nokias 5, 6 and 8 will receive these ongoing quarterly updates from October.
- Nokia 3 – Quarterly patch begins from September 2019 until September 2020
- Nokia 5 – Quarterly patch begins from October 2019 until October 2020
- Nokia 6 – Quarterly patch begins from October 2019 until October 2020
- Nokia 8 – Quarterly patch begins from October 2019 until October 2020
For too long we have seen smartphone manufacturers quietly drop support for phones long before their original planned obsolescence so it is great to see Nokia doing the opposite and not only letting all their users and fans know their plans but to extend their support for their phones beyond the original planned support period.
A huge tick for Google and their Android One operating system. Hopefully this gives impetus for more manufacturers to continue to support their phones for longer.
I might be wrong but wasn’t there plans by Google to take most of the security patching out of the hands of the device maker with their redesign of the play store and changes in P or Q? If that is not true this is good and maybe they can from now on keep supporting patches at least for major security flaws.
I recommend Nokia phones to family and friends, it’s good to know that Nokia are going above and beyond the call of duty and extending support for their phones beyond their commitment period. Also if anyone watches JerryRigEverything Youtube page you’ll know from his many tear down and durability test videos that Nokia always rates highly for durability and strength also the ability to repair the phones in case of damage makes this phone an easy choice when recommending a phone to anyone that’s in the market for a low to mid range phone.
Android One is the reason I recommend Nokia to family & friends.
I expect the phones will still be usable in October 2020 for basic tasks, however I’m not sure that the batteries will still hold a reasonable charge. We’ve given our last couple of phones with exhausted batteries to friends working in Africa because in poorer countries a phone permanently connected to a power bank is better than no phone.
I wonder if this will be extended to the 2018 released Nokia n.1 AndroidOne devices, like my Nokia 6.1?
I love Nokia and my wife’s 7 is great.