My TomTom is a few years old and I still get free map updates but that was promised on the blurb and box when I bought it.
It doesn't follow that every TT will have free updates for 'life'
Are you thinking of buying one, bazile? Lots of drivers do well with Google maps on their phones, it's much better than it was when I bought the TomTom. You do need to keep the phone plugged in though.
I suggest you try that before paying out for a satnav
When I bought a top of the range one, some years back, all downloads were free for life. I've since noticed the skinflints are making charges for camera updates: any way they can squeeze more out of you they'll do it. Next thing will likely be all map updates being charged for. Makes me less inclined to buy another sat nav from them, although I'd be unsurprised if, given one does it, they all followed suit.