QOTW: How long do you expect a smartphone to last?

[azrael-]

I have very recently retired my Samsung Galaxy S2 from 2012 with a Sony XZ1 Compact taking over. Not that there was anything wrong with the phone as such (except perhaps the battery, which could be changed), but several of the apps I (am forced to) rely upon no longer support Android 4.1. Yeah, I know I could probably have rooted the phone, but not only have I never found the proper root tool (I have the '9100G' model), many apps don't play nice with a rooted phone.

Considering the above I'm hoping to get another 6 years out of the new phone. Something tells I won't, though.

[peterb]

Android doesn't have kill code and their hardware doesn't have massive design flaws....

My last Android phone lasted 18 months before it became unusable - I expect my iPhone to last at least 4 or 5 years.

[Iota]

Android doesn't have kill code and their hardware doesn't have massive design flaws....

Erm. So why would my phone get killed by Apple? By doing something it wasn't designed for? I don't need to unlock it, it works fine as it is, same as the hardware works as fine as it is. Doesn't overheat, doesn't freeze, doesn't switch itself off, battery is still working absolutely fine...

And won't have the latest updates etc. etc.

*cough* iOS version 11.3.1 is what I'm on currently.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201222

So what point are you trying to make exactly? That at some point down the line Apple will stop supporting it? That's actually kind of inevitable. Got to say though, Apple have been FAR superior to supporting their hardware and software than ANY Android phone I've ever had.

[peterb]

Android doesn't have kill code and their hardware doesn't have massive design flaws....

I don’t think I’ve seen any specific Android hardware, although I have seen many different makes of hardware all implementing Android in their own particular way.

[malculator]

I had my Oneplus One for about 3 1/3 years and would have kept using it for longer if the battery had been replaceable. I did contemplate changing it myself but wasn't sure where I could source a decent replacement. So I bought the last flagship phone that came with a replaceable battery that I know of: the LG V20. For some bizarre reason LG didn't release it in Europe so I had to import one from Hong Kong. It might not be the latest model, but it suits my needs, and I'm hoping to hang on to it until something revolutionary happens in the smartphone market.

[simonpreston]

I would want as long as I need from it. If it dies after 2 years I'm not going to be happy, although I do acknowledge that a phone is going to get more battered than a laptop or pc, due to it always being on me.

My S5 is going on for 3 years now. I'm going to try and get another year out of it, I think. Animated emojis is not something that makes me want to upgrade tbh.

My S1 is also still going, but that now lives its life as an alarm clock.

[mojothejester]

I have a Motorola Moto G that I bought in 2013 and it's still going strong

[Fizzl]

Until I'm done with it!

I'd agree if you can replace the battery then the hardware should keep going, I believe my 3310 would work if I got a SIM that would fit.

My note 2 is still going but I've had another phone for the last 2 years. Occasionally the new one has update issues (takes a very long time and often fails for some reason) and while I'm resolving it I blow the dust off the Note and fire it up. That said I'm finding many apps saying android 4 is too old now.


Software on the other hand is an interesting one, Google seem to think 18 months is reasonable for anything but their flagship devices: https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705

How long your Google Play edition device will get updates
If Google Play edition devices fall outside the update window, they may not get the latest version of Android. The update window is usually around 18 months after a device has been released.

[Biscuit]

Until I get bored of looking at it. Usually takes a few years, I only just replaced my oneplus one as the battery was not great anymore and the bluetooth/wifi/4g would cut each other off.

[Andi-C]

I no longer buy high grade/flagship phones anymore, I'll spend £250 max & I'd hope it lasts 3/4 years. The reality is I'd own it for 2 years then jump to a new handset, that's only £2.40 a week over the 2 years.

Battery is the problem with phones theses days, they are sealed into the phone & can be a pain to remove. My Nexus 5 had a swelling battery 2months out of warranty, the replacement lasted 7months before discharging.

[3dcandy]

Erm. So why would my phone get killed by Apple? By doing something it wasn't designed for? I don't need to unlock it, it works fine as it is, same as the hardware works as fine as it is. Doesn't overheat, doesn't freeze, doesn't switch itself off, battery is still working absolutely fine...



*cough* iOS version 11.3.1 is what I'm on currently.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201222

So what point are you trying to make exactly? That at some point down the line Apple will stop supporting it? That's actually kind of inevitable. Got to say though, Apple have been FAR superior to supporting their hardware and software than ANY Android phone I've ever had.

You are in the minority with an iphone that old with no battery issues - nothing to do with Apple by the way the battery technology degrades over time. But yes - Apple have admitted they slow down older hardware, are currently in the midst of a class action lawsuit in America because of it and also admitted that later versions of iOS are slower on older hardware. But if you're happy then it's fine. Just saying you will stop getting upgrades and be like I am with an ipad I have here where I will be forced to update as software I have purchased will need a later version of iOS than I can get

[3dcandy]

Until I'm done with it!

I'd agree if you can replace the battery then the hardware should keep going, I believe my 3310 would work if I got a SIM that would fit.

My note 2 is still going but I've had another phone for the last 2 years. Occasionally the new one has update issues (takes a very long time and often fails for some reason) and while I'm resolving it I blow the dust off the Note and fire it up. That said I'm finding many apps saying android 4 is too old now.


Software on the other hand is an interesting one, Google seem to think 18 months is reasonable for anything but their flagship devices: https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705

SIM adapters exist sire!

[Output]

Mine is still as fast as it has always been, so although mine is two and a half years old currently, as long as custom ROM support continues (for reasons of keeping secure), I'd hope for at least another year and a half, but I'd expect five years to most likely be the limit and what I'd hope for (if custom ROM support even continues for that long).

The one I had before that lasted over three years, but that one was much more of a struggle to use as it had obviously slowed down (especially in terms of custom ROM development ceasing in such a short space of time) and the only reason I hadn't swapped so soon was a combination of stubbornness that it should have performed better and lasted longer, and wanting to make sure I had value for money when choosing a potential replacement.

[Fizzl]

SIM adapters exist sire!

I've considered it, in fact the new 8110 is... no wait stop what is that.. ICQ! It is still going?!

Just logged in to have a look, no one has been online since 2013.

[Shane74]

Minimum of 3 but more like 5 years for me now on Note 8, Last phone was a Note 2 that still works. Battery started running out and easily put a new one in, Still have it as a back up phone.

After 5 years the phone is so outdated and slow I just feel like buying a new one anyway.
Don't mind paying for a top end phone when it can last several years, If I was buying every year though I would probably settle for entry to mid range only.

[FRISH]

A lot longer than they're supported, though as said, non removable batteries are a problem. I still have an S2 myself, it is dated by now, but at this point it seems any new hardware would be good for what you'd expect for a while yet. For example I don't really see phones that can even run fortnite being that obsolete for most people.