Once again, Motorola is causing confusion and uncertainty with its smartphone update policy: Unclear statements about how long security updates will be available and subsequent corrections are somewhat dampening our enthusiasm for the otherwise excellent Motorola Edge 70 Max.
You would think it should be quite simple: Before the product launch, you sit down together, consider how long you want to provide updates for a smartphone, and check that against the current legal requirements.
Ideally, of course, you would act in customers' interests and opt for the longest possible support period, which SoC and software manufacturers now also make possible.
Why smartphone security updates are important
Security updates are particularly important because, for customers without technical expertise, a smartphone's useful life depends on being provided with up-to-date and therefore secure software.
If the manufacturer stops delivering updates, you could, in the worst case, be left defenseless against cyberattacks, while apps with stringent security requirements, such as banking apps, stop working.
Motorola itself is unsure of the support period
With the Motorola Edge 70 Max, however, the manufacturer has apparently not given this important issue enough thought:
Motorola initially said that security patches would only be delivered for three years. This is still what Motorola's official website says.
Only when asked did the manufacturer acknowledge that it would, in fact, provide five years of updates and three major Android versions.
Past statements warrant caution
Given the manufacturer's past statements, caution is warranted anyway: An EU directive actually requires manufacturers to provide security updates for all smartphones and tablets for 5 years after sales end.
Motorola, however, quickly found a clever way to interpret the requirements differently: According to the manufacturer, the updates must remain available to download for that long, but do not have to be fully up to date.
The fact that the manufacturer is squandering its customers' trust in this way and may even be breaking the law is more than frustrating.
The Edge 70 Max is actually a great phone
Especially since the Motorola Edge 70 Max has turned out to be a really great smartphone that can compete with other manufacturers' flagship phones at a low price.
Find out more about the device in our in-depth review.
Editor of the original article: Florian Schmitt - Managing Editor Mobile - 1710 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2009
I initially wrote about gaming laptops when I joined Notebookcheck in 2009. I was then involved with the setup of the comparison portal Notebookinfo and worked with social media concepts for large companies like BMW and Adidas, while also returning to work for Notebookcheck in 2012. Nowadays, I focus on smartphones, tablets, and future technologies. Since 2018 I have been Managing Editor for mobile device reviews, working alongside my colleague Daniel Schmidt.