another mobile phone question lol #asknostr coool!

so i've been looking at what people say about android phones and they all bang on about them not having more than updates in the price range I'm looking at (I believe it's currently android 14).

Does this matter? I like to have a phone for several years like at least 3+, so no sure any phone will cover 3 android os updates anyway?

is this just phone geekery for no reason or is it a security thing?

also in general i'm surprised how big mobile gaming is a factor for people looking for their new phone.