I know there's driver issues, but I'm pretty sure google could engineer android to at least allow direct security updates within the same android version. Google play services still provides updates for android 5. Even Yocto linux has opkg for updates.

[–] steal_your_face@lemmy.ml 6 points 5 months ago

It’s all based on Qualcomm drivers if I remember correctly. If Qualcomm doesn’t update the drivers then they can’t update the phones to the newest version. Maybe since Samsung and google make their own processors now they can guarantee longer updates? Also for Linux PCs it all uses x86 so maybe that’s why it can be supported longer without the need for manufacturers’ drivers updates?