TCL 10 Pro will only get one Android update, two years of security patches

TCL 10 Pro cameras
TCL 10 Pro cameras (Image credit: Hayato Huseman / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • The TCL 10 Pro and 10L are TCL's first own branded phones.
  • The company promises to deliver at least one major OS update.
  • It will also deliver two years of security patches every two months.

While often cheaper and more powerful (broadly speaking) Android phones don't get nearly the same amount of support as iPhones, with the TCL 10 Pro and 10L, being TCL's first phones, we weren't sure how long the company planned to support them. Fortunately for us, the company has come out to deliver some clarification on the topic.

"We can confirm both the TCL 10 Pro and 10L will, at minimum, receive one major OS update as well as SMR updates every two months to two years," a TCL spokesperson said (via Matthew Moniz.)

With the use of the phrase "at a minimum", TCL implies that this policy is flexible. Perhaps if the series moves enough units to prove themselves as a viable business, it would push out more major software updates. At least this way, it sets a realistic expectation for customers.

Of course, there are a few caveats. TCL doesn't say how long it'll take to deliver an update. It could push out Android 11 a year after debut and still fulfill its promise, though its unlikely savvy customers would be very impressed by that.

Reviewing them for Android Central, Hayato Huseman noted the duo was "a great start" with sleek designs (for the Pro at least), clean software, and a useful smart key. You can check out the full review for more fleshed out thoughts here.

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Michael Allison
11 Comments
  • "We can confirm both the TCL 10 Pro and 10L will, at minimum, receive one major OS update as well as SMR updates every two months to two years," a TCL spokesperson said, UNLESS THEY DON'T SELL WELL, THEN WE'LL JUST IGNORE THE CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT THEM. I added the all caps part of the statement. It's more reflective of how the handled BlackBerry and I'd argue how they will respond if sales are poor.
  • Well said, no trust for TCL , they said the same for their BlackBerry branded phones.
  • I'm sure they will ignore their customers as they did with BlackBerry die-hards. A company with no vision nor strategy.
  • Agree they left blackberry users in the cold
  • Yup TCL & Blackberry is all one needs to know.
  • Pixel 3a for $269 right now and will be supported longer vs 449? Or new 4a @ 349? This TCL is dead out of the gate.... The lack of updates by Android OEM's is simply no longer acceptable and sales will prove this.
  • Hard pass. Former BB K2 user here. I learned my lesson. I value good software with prompt updates so the Pixel is my only device going forward.
  • Yeah. Nope. via GIPHY
  • I think it is high time that all Android OEMs stop pretending that they are doing us a favour for supporting our horribly expensive devices for 'two years'. I got five years + on my last BlackBerry Z30. Even Apple give their poor unfortunates five years.
  • Once bitten twice shy TCL... Ex Blackberry user here... Hard pass... Makes the Apple SE look like a major bargain...
  • One OS update, TCL won't ever see my money. Blackberry same thing?