iOS 26 proves that Android nonetheless has a software program replace drawback

This week’s iOS 26 announcement positive was an odd one, wasn’t it? Between the controversial Liquid Glass redesign and the large title bounce from iOS 18 to iOS 26, this yr’s iPhone replace is already proving to be one of the peculiar we’ve seen shortly.

General reactions to iOS 26 have been a combined bag to this point, and with an replace this drastic, that’s to be anticipated. However although not all the things about Apple’s large software program replace is a winner, there’s one side about it that’s nonetheless very clearly higher than what we have now on Android at present.

It’s a story as outdated as time, nevertheless it stays pertinent even in 2025. I’m speaking about software program updates.

Ever since folks have engaged in Android vs. iOS debates, software program updates are assured to be an argument for anybody defending iOS — and rightfully so. Though Android has made vital progress on this entrance in recent times, Apple has been higher at it for longer and continues to reveal why it’s the perfect at updates all these years later.

Take iOS 26 as the latest instance. The software program is at the moment accessible in a developer beta and will probably be accessible as a public beta in July. Apple is concentrating on the autumn for the complete launch of iOS 26, doubtless someday in September.

It is a good timeline, however what’s notable about it’s what number of iPhones are getting the replace, and — maybe extra importantly — the tempo at which they’ll all be up to date.

iOS 26 is clearly coming to newer iPhones, just like the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 collection, however that’s simply the tip of the iceberg. iPhones as outdated because the iPhone 11 collection and newer (plus the 2nd technology iPhone SE and newer) are all supported. For context, the iPhone 11 collection will probably be six years outdated come this September.

Spectacular? Completely. Much more spectacular is that, like all iOS updates, each iPhone mannequin will get iOS 26 on the similar time. Not like most Android OEMs, Apple doesn’t drag out its software program updates in waves, with newer fashions receiving the replace first and older ones following swimsuit a couple of weeks later. As soon as iOS 26 launches, each iPhone — from the iPhone 16 all the way down to the iPhone 11 — will get the brand new software program concurrently.

This has been one among Apple’s best strengths for years, and as improved as Android could also be in contrast to a couple years in the past, it nonetheless can’t match the well-oiled machine that’s an iOS rollout.

How so? Yesterday’s launch of Android 16 is an ideal distinction to iOS 26. As of June 10, the steady model of Android 16 is now accessible for all Google Pixel telephones starting from the Pixel 6 collection as much as the Pixel 9 household. On the floor, and for Pixel house owners, that’s nice. Nevertheless it doesn’t take lengthy to see how the world of Android updates nonetheless lags behind iOS.

Though Google’s seven-year replace coverage has been an important addition because the firm launched it with the Pixel 6 collection, older Pixels are nonetheless lacking out on new software program in a approach older iPhones usually are not. The place iOS 26 is suitable with iPhones which might be six years outdated, Android 16 is barely supported for Pixels that will probably be 4 years outdated this fall.

This discrepancy will work itself out in a few years, however Apple’s longer dedication to long-term updates remains to be being felt at present. Your six-year-old iPhone will get the most recent iOS replace whereas your six-year-old Pixel gained’t get the most recent Android replace, and whereas that is probably not the top of the world, it nonetheless doesn’t really feel good.

Moreover, that is to say nothing concerning the timing of Android 16’s launch for different, non-Pixel Android telephones. Google’s handsets have the replace at present, however what about telephones from Samsung, Nothing, OnePlus, Motorola, and others?

As is at all times the case with Android updates, we’ll be ready a couple of extra weeks (and, in some circumstances, months) earlier than Samsung and different corporations begin releasing Android 16 for his or her units. And from there, producers additional delay issues by sending out Android OS upgrades in waves. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 collection will probably be among the many first Samsung telephones to obtain Android 16/One UI 8, however you may count on to attend longer for the replace to reach on older fashions.

After all, a few of these points are a pure aspect impact of Android’s open-source nature. Whereas Apple is the one firm creating iPhones and releasing updates for them, a number of manufacturers are creating Android telephones with personalized software program. It’s unreasonable to assume we’ll ever get to some extent the place an replace like Android 16 is magically accessible for each suitable Android telephone on the planet on the similar time.

However that’s to not say there isn’t room for enchancment. When Samsung’s Android 16 replace is prepared, there’s no motive the corporate shouldn’t have the ability to ship it to all of its supported telephones without delay, somewhat than dragging it out in waves. The timeliness and stability of Android updates even have ample room for enchancment (I’m taking a look at you, One UI 7), and Google’s newest technique of withholding its most important updates in Android 16 for its Android 16 QPR1 replace coming later this yr is weird.

We’ve come a good distance with Android updates, however iOS 26 is a reminder that there’s nonetheless ample work to be executed — and I hope Google, Samsung, and each different Android OEM are paying consideration.