With more and more smartphones flooding the market, consumers may be spoilt for choice but the question which often lingers at the back of the mind is - how long will the device last?

As newer more powerful models with higher specs release every year, the older iterations are pushed to the back foot. While some OEMs are quick to update the older iterations to the latest available operating system, some do not benefit from the newer platform.

Now, a new report from Android Police divulges that the life span of the Android-based Nexus smartphones is lesser when compared to the iOS-based iPhones from Apple.

A chart from the publication shows the life expectancy of a few mobile phones which are deploying Android and iOS operating systems. The chart has all the iPads and iPhones listed, whereas the Nexus devices have been selected to represent Android since they are from Google and the first in line to receive the latest Android software updates from the company.

Per the chart, iPhones have a longer span as the company updates older smartphones to its new OS. While not all the devices from Apple may support the new features the latest version of the OS brings, they continue to be supported to the new version. To illustrate the following iPhones were supported for the following period:

iPhone: 36 months

iPhone 3G: 39 months

iPhone 3GS: 51 months

iPhone 4: 51 months

iPhone 4S: 47 months (continues to be supported)

iPhone 5: 36 months (continues to be supported)

iPhone 5S: 24 months (continues to be supported)

iPhone 5C: 24 months (continues to be supported)

iPhone 6: 12 months (continues to be supported)

iPhone 6S: 12 months (continues to be supported)

By contrast, the Nexus One smartphone which was released the same year as the iPhone 4 was supported for 21 months, compared to the latter's 51 months. The Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus were supported for 22 months and 20 months, respectively.

The Google smartphones which continue to be supported are the Nexus 4 (34 months), Nexus 5 (23 months) and Motorola-made Nexus 6 (10 months).

Even though Google's next-gen Android Marshmallow is set to make its way to devices soon, it remains a mystery which devices will benefit from the software update and which will be shown the door. Apple on the other hand has given clarity on the devices which will get iOS 9.

While most people look to update their handsets every two years or so, the fact that Nexus smartphones have a lesser support life cycle compared to Apple smartphones may not be a deal breaker. However, it is nice to have the option of having your device being supported to the current OS as a new update gives it a fresh lease of life.

Photo: John Karakatsanis | Flickr