Flagship Android phones get two years of software support. Specifically, the Samsung Galaxy S8 launched with Android 7.0 Nougat. It received Android 8.0 Oreo and Android 9 Pie, but it won’t officially receive Android 10. The same goes for phones from other phone makers . Mid- range and low -end phones often only get one year of software support, or in the case of low-end phones, no software support at all. Device manufacturers have no incentive to release Android version updates to any device two years after its launch for two main reasons: first, the phone’s BSP support package stops receiving support from the chip manufacturer, and more importantly, they have to convince consumers to buy their latest flagship. It’s not the best considering Apple’s competing iPhones get up to five years of software support. Users of older devices still have one option , the custom community ROM .
The custom ROM community at XDA-Developers has been around for about a decade, with a prime example. It started with the original Windows Mobile OS, but continues to receive unofficial ports of new Android versions long after it was discontinued.
Few Android phones have matched the HD2's durability in terms of custom ROM support, and only a few have managed to stand out, such as the Samsung Galaxy S II, Samsung Galaxy S III, OnePlus One, and Xiaomi Redmi Note 3. Developers have built custom ROMs for the Samsung Galaxy S II and Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The Galaxy S II was released all the way back in 2011, while the Galaxy Note 3 was released in 2013.
The Android 10-based LineageOS 17.1 ROM for the Galaxy Note 3 is more user-friendly than the Galaxy S II because it runs RIL (Radio Interface Layer, which makes calls/text/data). The LineageOS 17.1 ROM for the Galaxy S II is considered unsuitable for everyday use. Regardless, for fans who still use these devices, it's great to see that they are still being maintained and updated.
