Motorola: These smartphones will receive the update to Android 16

Android 16 has been confirmed for numerous Motorola devices. Motorola is one of the few companies that maintain a public database for system updates and security patches for their devices. Unfortunately, this database is rather hidden and cumbersome to use.

Motorola is quite transparent

Blogger Haneet Singh from Ytechb has taken the trouble to trawl through the database and identified the Motorola smartphones that will receive the Android 16 update. However, it could take a little longer for some of the models, as some devices such as the 2024 model Razr 50 Edge or the Thinkphone from 2023 have apparently not even been supplied with Android 15 yet.

Motorola has confirmed Android 16 for the following devices, but there is still no timetable for when they will receive the new version:

• Motorola Edge 60 Pro – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 60 – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 60 Fusion – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Razr 60 Ultra – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Razr 60 – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 60 Stylus – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Razr 50 Ultra – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Razr 50 – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Lenovo ThinkPhone 25 – (5 Android versions, 5 years of security patches)
• Motorola Lenovo Thinkphone – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 50 Ultra – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 50 Pro – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 50 Fusion – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 50 Neo – (5 Android versions, 5 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 40 Pro – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 40 – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Edge 40 Neo – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Razr 40 Ultra – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Moto G86 Power – (2 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Moto G86 (2 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Moto G56 – (1 Android version, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Moto G 55 5G – (3 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Moto G 75 5G – (5 Android versions, 6 years of security patches)
• Motorola Moto G 85 5G – (2 Android versions, 4 years of security patches)
• Motorola Moto G 45 5G – (2 Android versions, 3 years of security patches)
• Motorola Moto G 35 5G – (2 Android versions, 3 years of security patches)

Motorola with expandable update support

As can be seen in the overview, the manufacturer has a fairly extensive portfolio of devices that receive update support for varying periods of time. Only selected models such as the Thinkphone 25 or the Moto G75 receive five major Android updates. According to the manufacturer, both models are intended for corporate customers. Meanwhile, most of the manufacturer's upper-class devices only receive three major Android versions and four years of security patches. Motorola cannot keep up with competitors such as Samsung or Google, which provide Android updates for up to seven years.

Motorola's entry-level and mid-range devices in particular are still in need of improvement in terms of updates, as some only receive a single major Android update. Motorola will hardly be able to maintain this update strategy from June 20, as the new Ecodesign Regulation comes into force in the EU. Smartphones sold after this date must offer updates for at least five years from the end of sale. It is still unclear how Motorola and other manufacturers will deal with the new realities.

(afl)