2025 is a turn point for smartphones — not in hardware , but in software . Samsung and Apple are go the food market with AI , but while new features grab newspaper headline , software update narrate a unlike story . From balmy rollouts that leave sound barely usable ( remember those dreaded green lines ? ) to even flagship devices waiting month for promised update , the 2025 software system landscape is more chaotic than ever . allow ’s plunge in .
Table of subject
To Reiterate, Software Now Matters More Than Ever
The smartphone wars have shifted from hardware to computer software . Do n’t believe me ? Just look at the latest datum from theInternational Data Corporation . Apple and Samsung together dominate a whopping 38 % of the global smartphone market . These tech giants are the trendsetters , and recently , they ’ve been singing the same tune : software , software , software system .
Okay , so remember how Apple used to come out with brainsick novel iPhone feature every year ? Yeah , well , those days are kinda over . Ever since the iPhone 12 , they ’ve been playing it extremely safe with the ironware . Just little tweaks here and there – a slightly faster silicon chip , a slightly better tv camera , you know the Mandrillus leucophaeus . Nothing to get hype about , really .
Samsung ’s on the same wavelength . Their S25 Ultra is a fireball , no doubt , but it ’s not promote any boundaries like their one-time phones did . alternatively of drop dead raving mad with ironware , they ’re focusing on computer software , just like Apple .
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With Galaxy S25 comes One UI 7 which pack in completely raw animation , icons , lock projection screen , and revamp speedy options panel . It also bringsmore Galaxy AI featureson top of the ones Samsung introduced last class . You now getWriting Tools , Call Transcripts , and Drawing Assist alongsidemuch - used Circle to Searchand Generative Image Editing .
So yeah , it seems 2025 is n’t about flashy new phone designs . Adding acamera buttondoesn’t really count , does it ? Instead , it ’s about the package that powers our speech sound , the thing behind the screen . It ’s about smoother performance , smarter features , and a more visceral experience overall .
This shift in focus highlights a all-important course : today ’s consumers value software more than ever . The software experience is now a cardinal resolve factor when choosing a new telephone .
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Apple: The Gold Standard of Updates (But at a Cost)
Apple has a strong track record of provide long - term software support for its iPhones , typically offering update for 6 - 7 years . Even the iPhone XS , released back in 2018 , received iOS 18 , and it ’s likely to get Io 19 next year . That ’s some excellent commitment .
However , there ’s a trade - off . Apple is starting to secern between older and newer machine when it come to features . Their Apple Intelligence is appropriate for the iPhone 15 Pro and later mannikin . This means that if you ’re using an honest-to-god iPhone , you might want to advance to go through the latest feature of speech .
On the plus side , Apple ’s software remains clean and bloatware - destitute . You wo n’t discover any pre - installed third - party apps or teasing ads . It ’s a no - nonsense experience that focalize on essential apps and services within the Apple ecosystem .
Google Pixel: Pure Android, Now with Longevity to Match
Google has always been a software system powerhouse in the Android earth . People love Pixel sound for their pure , pure Android experience , free from bloatware and bothersome ads . And have ’s not block the mean solar day - one Android updates that make you experience like a very important person .
ab initio , Google only offer three yr of updates for its Pixel speech sound . But they ’ve stepped up their game big clock time , bumping it up to a thumping seven years of bread and butter , set out with the Pixel 8 serial publication . They even extended the supporting for former gadget like the Pixel Fold , Pixel 6 , and Pixel 7 to five age .
So yeah , Google ’s not just playing catch - up anymore . They ’re go head - to - head with Apple in terms of software quality and long - term support .
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Samsung: Ambitious Promises, Mixed Delivery
Then there ’s Samsung , the smartphone giant that arguably represents Android more than Google ’s own Pixel telephone . Samsung is a fundamental Google partner ( remember howCircle to Search debuted with the Galaxy S24 ? ) and Google even feature the Galaxy S24 Ultra in one of its events showcasing Google Gemini .
Samsung ’s software journey has been a singular one . From the early twenty-four hour period of the slow and laggy TouchWiz UI , they ’ve come a long way with One UI . Their update insurance has steadily improved , progress from three years of major updates with the Galaxy S20 to four with the S21 , and eventually reaching an impressive seven year with the Galaxy S24 . This arrange them on equality with Google and Apple in price of long - term support .
One of the most commendable aspects of Samsung ’s new insurance policy is its lengthiness to budget phones . Even the Galaxy A16 , a $ 200 phone , will meet six years of updates . This is a huge win for consumers who want long - term software accompaniment without the high price of a flagship equipment .
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However , there are still some differences between One UI on budget phones and flagship . While Samsung has hit the hay the “ One UI Core ” branding used for budget phones with fewer features and no Samsung Knox security , budget equipment may still lack certain features like screen transcription or Good Lock modules .
This raise concerns about Samsung ’s ability to keep up with its ambitious update schedule . While they deserve praise for extending support and contribute raw features like Galaxy AI to former machine , the delays in delivering timely updates are a notable drawback .
Another area where Samsung could improve is bloatware . Our testing revealed 11 bloatware apps on a mid - range twist , compare to 7 on the flagship S24 Ultra .
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user may also meet notifications from apps like Galaxy Store and My Galaxy , although these can be disabled . Samsung also include many of its own apps , such as Samsung Notes , Calendar , Calculator , Contacts , and even the Bixby assistant .
Despite these drawback , Samsung deserves recognition for its commitment to bringing fresh features to older gadget . For instance , while the Galaxy S23 and S22 serial publication did n’t receive the seven - yr software support , theydid get Galaxy AI . This contrasts with Apple , which often reserves its latest feature for the newest models .
OnePlus: Navigating the Software Maze
OnePlus has had its fair share of ups and downs in the software department . think back when they switch over from OxygenOS to a merged codebase with Oppo ’s ColorOS ? mass were n’t too happy about the fresh expression and the move away from lineage Android . But at least it significantly amend those frustrating package update matter , like the discrepant rollout schedules , bugs , and bricking .
These days , OnePlus is have its act together with updates . Their premium phones , like theOnePlus 13and13R , get four age of Android updates and six old age of security measures patches , which should take them all the way to Android 19 . While that ’s not as long as the support put up by Samsung , Apple , or Google , OnePlus telephone typically amount with a more budget - friendly damage tag end .
While OnePlus is by all odds making progress , the package experience can motley depending on which phone you get . Their late budget earpiece , the OnePlus Nord 4 , now gets the same four class of OS updates and six years of security updates as their flagship phones . However , sleazy phone , like the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite , get only two year of major updates .
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OxygenOS 15 on their premium phones is jolly foxy , with smooth animations , customizable lock screens , and even someAI featureslike Video Boost , Image Sharpener , and yes , even Circle to Search . Both budget and premium phones have some bloatware , but the CE 4 Lite has a several more pre - installed apps than the OnePlus 13 .
Overall , OnePlus is in the right instruction with its software plot , but they still have some elbow room for improvement . If they can iron out out those inconsistencies and maybe issue back on the bloatware , they ’ll be a real contender for Samsung .
Motorola: A Tale of Two Tiers
Motorola ’s software position is a minute of a principal - scratcher . They seem to have a disconnected personality when it come to updates , handle their expensive phone right smart differently than their budget - favorable ace . And let ’s just say they have n’t exactly been winning any awards for speedy updates of late .
Their flagship Moto Edge 50 Ultra , which is currently running Hello UI based on Android 15 , is promised three class of major Android update and four years of security patches . Not regretful , right ? But then you look at a budget gadget like the Moto G45 , it is still stuck on Android 14 and will onlyget Android 15as its final update .
And it ’s not just about the update . Budget phones also miss out on AI features , which is understandable , but they also come pre - loaded with bloatware , something Motorola seems to have taken a liking to recently . The flagship Edge 50 Ultra has six bloatware apps like Facebook and Candy Crush , while budget model have it even worse , with over a dozen undesirable apps .
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Okay , okay , it ’s not all doom and sombreness with Motorola . While their updates might be slow , they ’re usually jolly stable and do n’t do major issues . And their Hello UI is actually quite refreshful .
It prompt me of what OxygenOS used to be : light , clean , tight to stock Android , and customizable . It ’s also tamp with utile feature like Smart Connect , Ready For , gesture , AI wallpaper , file share-out , and a secret plan mode .
Vivo and iQOO: Polarizing Software Design, Fast and Reliable Updates
Vivo , another bounteous name in the Chinese smartphone world , marches to the beat of its own drum with Funtouch OS . It used to be recognise for its , shall we say , singular design choices , but thankfully , Funtouch OS has grown up a lot . It ’s much more svelte now , though it might not be everyone ’s cup of teatime compared to something like One UI or OxygenOS .
The latest version , Funtouch OS 15 , has some neat raw tricks , like magnanimous app icons , smoother animations , and the power to individualize your icon . You also get fun hooey like television wallpapers andAI - powered featuresfor photo editing , banker’s bill - taking , and even interpret text properly on your cover .
Of naturally , it would n’t be a Vivo telephone set without a tidy dose of bloatware . You ’ll discover Vivo ’s own app computer memory ( V - Appstore ) , the iQOO stock ( on iQOO devices ) , Glance on the lock chamber screen , and a bunch of other pre - installed apps you ’ll credibly never use . you may technically uninstall them if you ’re tech - savvy , but it ’s not exactly a walk in the ballpark .
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On the brilliant side , Vivo ’s update insurance is pretty decent , especially for their flagship phones . The Vivo X200 and X200 Pro are assure four year of Android OS upgrades and five twelvemonth of security update , which is a whole step up from the three years of OS update their older speech sound got .
But here ’s the affair : not all Vivo phones get the same dearest . Their previous upper mid - range phone , the Vivo V50 , is still get with the erstwhile three - year atomic number 76 update policy . Then again , the V50 is cheap than the fancy X200 series , so this remainder is graspable .
And now for the secret plan twist : Vivo has a reputation for being surprisingly firm with its updates . Remember how their previous flagship , the Vivo X100 , let the Android 15 update before anyone else ? Yep , they even beat Google ’s Pixel 9 and Samsung ’s Galaxy S24 . It ’s not every daytime you see Vivo make headway the Android update race , so that ’s definitely something to keep in mind .
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Overall , Vivo has done some smashing work with Funtouch OS and their update insurance , but they still need to harness that bloatware trouble . And who knows , mayhap they ’ll storm us again and become the update champions of the Android market .
Xiaomi: A Mixed Bag
Xiaomi ’s MIUI has been a fan favorite around the world for two good ground : it ’s incredibly customizable , and Xiaomi phones have always been super friendly to ethnic music who like to fiddle with custom ROMs . Back in the day , I retrieve spending hours flashing different ROM on my Redmi Note 4 – LineageOS , MIUI EU , Pixel Experience , you name it , I in all probability try out it .
But times have commute . Phone makers have really stepped up their game with farm animal Android , and show off impost read-only memory is n’t as democratic as it used to be . People are more concerned about privacy and security these days , and honestly , some of those ROMs could be a morsel finicky . So , most people with Xiaomi , Redmi , and Poco telephone just stick with MIUI .
Now , MIUI has had its fair share of ups and downs . It used to be a piece notorious for being slow , laggy , and full of bloatware . But Xiaomi decided to shake things up and introduced HyperOS in 2023 . It bought a modern design , smoother performance , and even more customization choice . The latest version , HyperOS 2.0 , has some cool new features like lock screen customization , a revamped quick preferences jury , and even some AI whoremonger .
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But here ’s the affair : their software system updates and lineament can vary quite a bit depending on whether you have a flagship Xiaomi phone , a Redmi , a Poco , or even a budget fashion model . For deterrent example , the flagship Xiaomi 14 and the budget Redmi 13 both runHyperOS 2.0 found on Android 15 , but the Xiaomi 14 gets a walloping four year of Android updates , while the Redmi 13 is adhere with just one more update to Android 16 .
And it ’s not just about the number of updates . The actual feature can vary too . The Redmi 13 ’s version of HyperOS 2.0 is missing some of the cool invigoration , interlock screen choice , and AI features that you get on the Xiaomi 14 . It ’s a bit of a bummer , but expected considering the terms difference of opinion .
Oh , and we ca n’t forget about the bloatware . Xiaomi phones have always had a bit of a bloatware job , and sadly , HyperOS does n’t change that . The flagship Xiaomi 14 has a doable seven bloatware apps , but the Redmi 13 is loaded with a walloping 17 .
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Plus , you ’ll be bombard with notifications from GetApps and the Theme Store , especially on the Redmi 13 .
To their credit , Xiaomi has been make an effort to better its update consistency and has even extended reenforcement for some of its late devices . However , there ’s still way for improvement , especially when it comes to supply a consistent experience across all their unlike phone theoretical account and brands .
So , there you have it – the Xiaomi software program story . It ’s a bit of a motley old bag , with some groovy features and long - condition livelihood for flagship phones , but also some incompatibility , bloatware , and a leaning to keep thing interesting .
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Conclusion
So this was the evolving landscape painting of smartphone software and update in 2025 . We ’ve consider that while hardware still matter , software is progressively becoming a cardinal differentiator for consumers . From Apple ’s farsighted - term livelihood to Google ’s push for a vestal Android experience and Samsung ’s challenging update promises , manufacturers are recognizing the grandness of package .
However , challenges remain , including mutual exclusiveness , bloatware , and well-timed delivery of updates . As consumers , it ’s all-important to consider the software experience when pick out a new phone and to necessitate better updates , cleaner interface , and more innovative feature from manufacturing business . The software - defined smartphone is here , and it ’s clip for the software to shine .
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