It's already the case that the major OS version can be upgraded for the system image while still using a previous major OS version for the code providing the device support, i.e. the kernel drivers and HAL. it doesn't mean you don't need to keep providing security updates for it.
Conversation
It doesn't make sense and isn't possible. Firmware and device support code in the OS need to be supported for the lifetime of the device with bug fixes including security updates. It's also best if it does get updated to the new major OS version despite not needing to do it.
1
There's already a minimum guarantee of 5 years of support for the Pixel 6 and a minimum guarantee of 3 major OS upgrades. Qualcomm provides 4 years of support for their smartphone SoC. The status quo is that there are 4 years of security updates on Samsung devices and others.
1
Android fully supports providing security updates to a device for at least 6 years without any difficulty. I don't know where you got the impression that it doesn't. Can easily do 3 years of major updates via Treble and then 3 years of updates on that 4th major version.
1
The whole point of the tweet you replied to was that every single Pixel could have provided 6 years of security updates if Qualcomm provides 6 years of security updates, but you're interpreting it as if it was a criticism of Android when it's pointing out Android supports it.
1
Replying to
Android may support it, device venders seem rarely to. I moved from WP to Android for nearly three years, finding a long supported device was impossible especially if you buy used as I typically do. Given that I support several family members, iOS made a ton more sense.
2
I'm not an Apple fan. But this is one thing they do right. I will likely never need to upgrade my aunt's iPhone 8 while she's still alive. Given that most people, especially seniors, never upgrade their hardware until it dies, this is a major issue. Seen tons of insecure devices.
1
Replying to
I don't understand the relevance to my thread. My thread was not about how long phones are supported but rather how long Android versions are supported. I even clarified that how long an Android version is supported isn't directly connected to how long devices are supported.
1
The entire purpose of the tweet you replied to was to clarify that major Android versions receiving 3 years of support has nothing to do with many devices only receiving 3 years of support. Android 12 has 3 years of support remaining, and the Pixel 3 receiving Android 12.
2
An app which only supports Android 12 or later works fine on the end-of-life Pixel 3 with the stock OS because it received Android 12. An app which only supported Android 12.1 or later would not support the Pixel 3. The Pixel 3 will be 7 years old in the situation I provided.
1
Android 12 will be supported until the Pixel 3 is around 7 years old. Dropping supported for no longer supported major versions, which are supported for 3 years, does not mean you drop support for every device that's more than 3 years old at all. It's 6-7 years for old Pixels.