I don't think that MS tests all hardware when updating Windows. Sometimes some hardware doesn't work after an Windows update and then you just head to the respective hardware manufacturer and try to get updated drivers. This model could work for phones too. Google updates and maybe my S8's camera is not working anymore but at least we have secure and patched phones. And the good thing is: Samsung has to quickly fix the broken camera, so you create a totally different urgency.
But Android is an odd OS, we will never see a proper update policy from them.
It depends what we're talking about. Specifically with ARM processors, it isn't trivial to add drivers separate from your OS deployment. Microsoft DOES work with (and update) third party hardware directly for Windows 10 Mobile devices. And this is true for their third party phones from HP, Acer, etc. as well.
(Note, I have a Windows Mobile device from 2014, and I still receive the latest security fix on Patch Tuesday around 1 PM, every month.)
This is what they tell us for decades. You can just disable parts of an SoC if no driver is available. This is just an architectural decision Google is not willing to address.
And ARM reference designs from a handful of manufacturers are not that different.
> You can just disable parts of an SoC if no driver is available.
So you want Google to ship updates where parts of the hardware just stop working? That sounds fucking awful, no thanks.
And yes ARM's ecosystem has largely still not standardized on self-discover or self-configuration because they have no incentive to. They just hardcode whatever configuration they need and call it a day.
But Android is an odd OS, we will never see a proper update policy from them.