Smartphone buyers looking to upgrade to a good flagship phone with several years of software support can choose between an iPhone 17 version and a Pixel 10 model. Google offers seven years of Android updates and seven years of security updates for all Pixel phones released since the Pixel 8 series (2023). Apple doesn’t offer a software warranty in marketing materials, so the Pixel may seem like the winner. However, Apple has a great track record on its side. The company regularly supports iPhones for five or six years. Apple was doing this long before its competitors started promoting their seven-year software warranties. This turns the verdict into a tie. Both the iPhone and Pixel phones should offer reliable software updates, making either flagship a smart choice for consumers who can easily switch between iOS and Android.
With that in mind, a few other factors can influence a buyer. For example, consumers who want the latest AI features may prefer Pixel phones, which have deep Gemini integration. That said, a phone’s longevity also depends on hardware and software support. Buyers who want predictable, reliable performance from their phone may want to opt for iPhones, which feature Apple’s well-known A-series chips.
Pixels promise seven years of updates, but there’s a catch
Launching in August 2025, the Pixel 10 will receive Android updates until August 2032, assuming the device can last that long. Battery health will deteriorate after a few years of use and will need to be replaced. But the same durability and battery considerations apply to iPhones.
However, if you want a software warranty, Google offers it in writing for the Pixel 10. It’s likely that Google will continue to do so with future Pixel models, including flagship phones and mid-range Pixel A models. This software guarantee means users will enjoy relatively quick access to Android releases and security updates compared to competing Android phones. Additionally, buyers who already use various Google apps and services, including Gmail, Google Maps, and Chrome, may benefit from choosing a Pixel phone over an iPhone, especially if they want to take advantage of those apps’ Gemini features.
That said, some features may not be available on older devices, even if they are supported by Google. Gemini Intelligence is a great example. Google recently announced support for Gemini Intelligence on its latest devices, but has not extended this support to the Pixel 9 series.
iPhones could offer better longevity despite similar software support
Apple says in iPhone 17 documentation submitted for European Union markets that the handset will receive at least five years of software and security updates, but Apple has never offered software guarantees in marketing materials like Google does. Long-time iPhone users upgrading to the latest iPhone should ideally expect five or six years of support, given that the iPhone 11, launched in 2019, will receive the iOS 27 update. However, you shouldn’t expect all the cutting-edge features to work on older devices.
In other words, using an iPhone 17 until September 2032 seems feasible, provided that the device remains in good physical condition and that the battery is replaced a few years after purchase. But the iPhone’s real advantage over a Pixel phone from the same year might become apparent after several years of use. An iPhone 17 could offer a better everyday experience than a Pixel 10 of the same age in a few years. In Geekbench 6 scores, the base iPhone 17 (A19 chip) scores 3,765 (single-core) and 9,516 (multi-core), compared to 2,312 and 6,165 for the Pixel 10 (Tensor G5 chip). The almost five-year-old iPhone 13 Pro (released September 2021) scores similar to the Pixel 10 model: 2,454 and 6,022.
However, despite such generous software support windows, buyers may not want to keep either handset that long. Instead of waiting until the Pixel 10 or iPhone 17 reaches the end of its life, they may want to upgrade the handset after three or four years of use. Such a strategy can ensure the best possible smartphone experience, without worrying too much about replacing faulty parts, such as broken screens and degraded batteries.
