This isn't a debate about what company is better. The word "now" is used for Google's promises for a reason.
Let’s talk again in 5 years, once they had the opportunity to prove their plans. So far, it’s all just talk.
Over a decade of Nexus then Pixel devices being flashable has not moved any needle of Apple doing the same. Google promising 7 years is in line with Apple's 10 year track record of providing 6-8 years of updates, so it's more like Google aligning with Apple, not Google pushing Apple.
Still, a vague† promise in a blog post or keynote address is not going to fit the bill, at the very least it should be in the EULA or other contractually enforceable document, otherwise the promise is worth nothing.
Ideally I wish software would be treated as with e.g automotive or washing machine manufacturers, who in the EU have a legal requirement to provide parts for 10 years.
† I mean the promise is clearly worded but bears no weight, especially when pitted against Google's track record over the last decade of making grand announcements then puling the rug down the road.
Yes, but that is only one component of a modern phone. Basebands and system bootloaders, among other firmwares, don't receive updates. Those are regularly attacked.
It's good that they do but it's not enough.
"not everyone" is an understatement.
That's a solution for you (and the dozens - dozens! - of people doing the same), in practice it is not for 99% of Android users, therefore, again in practice, there's a huge fleet of devices with out-of-date software out there.
> But Android also lets you run custom builds
That's not even counting that:
- many Android manufacturers make it non-trivial† to root/unlock/flash a build and/or make it blow a warranty fuse, and that's if it's even possible at all.
- usually the camera goes ape shit, and often loudspeaker audio quality too.
- unless you relock the bootloader it immediately compromises security and makes bootloader updates nontrivial as unlocking again clears the device.
Mind you, this is a fine, intellectually satisfying strategy for you and me to be able to flash open builds, but it's by and large an extremely fringe strategy, and it's been shown over a decade that it's staying that way.
† Often involving downloading random flashing tools from obscure forums, that run only on Windows, some of these being one shot and requiring to plug in magic numbers corresponding to your exact device, and if you screw it up the device is bricked (e.g Samsung). Or the unlocking is on a low-write-count chip and once you exceed that limit the device is bricked (e.g OnePlus). I know, I've been there, bricked a few, recovered only one through JTAG.