OnePlus President Kinder Liu has revealed in an interview that the company did not offer seven years of software updates with the OnePlus 12 due to concerns about hardware performance and battery degradation. Liu expressed his skepticism about extended update promises made by companies like Samsung and Google, stating that such policies do not make much sense if the hardware cannot match up. He likened a smartphone to a sandwich, explaining that while some manufacturers are promising that the “filling” (software) will be good for seven years, the “bread” (user experience) might be subpar after four years, rendering the software update policy irrelevant.
Liu emphasized the importance of the fluidity of a phone’s user experience, suggesting that longer software updates do not matter if the device’s hardware cannot perform at the same level. He stated that OnePlus conducted tests with TÜV SUD for the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R to simulate years of use and based on the results, the company chose to guarantee a “fast and smooth” performance for four years. Additionally, Liu highlighted concerns about potential battery degradation a phone might face after seven years of use, indicating that long-term software policies do not align with the lifespan of a device’s battery.
In conclusion, Kinder Liu’s comments shed light on OnePlus’ decision not to offer seven years of software updates with the OnePlus 12 and underscore the company’s focus on providing a seamless user experience and addressing concerns related to hardware performance and battery longevity. His remarks reveal the complexity of balancing software update policies with the practical considerations of a smartphone’s overall lifespan.
