Not surprising when flagship devices have more than doubled in price in over the last decade.
That and the fact that many modern devices feel like compromised devices with purposeful downgrades despite the huge cost increase.
Regarding flagship models: I found that previous years flagship or current mid-range with similar specs (I use gsmarena to compare) is a good compromise between speed and lifespan, and always go for more memory, today’s android uses about 20gb so 128gb must be absolute minimum if you plan to have a few apps installed.
What do you mean “instead of”? I always heard it was a three year product lifecycle anyway, which is already annoyingly often.
I’ve had my tablet for 9 years, and I’d have had my phone for 4 years now had it not become faulty.
Devices have reached a point that they just don’t need upgrading often, unless you’re using them for video games or something cutting edge.
And of course, they’re super expensive now too, and we’re living in the worst cost of living crisis of our generation, struggling to pay for food. Of course we’re not going to waste money replacing something that works fine 🤦♀️
i use electronics until they’re unusable. my last phone lasted 6 years, my laptop lasted 11 years. i don’t have a tv or anything else.
No TV. How do you watch coronation Street and EastEnders?
I watch all of my shows from laptop personally (not the person you are replying to). I don’t care super hard about the big screen. And it means I can do other things on my other monitors at the same time.
I like working at the living with the TV precisely because it offloads the work to a different device. So compiling and running heavy scripts doesn’t affect the video playing and the reproduction doesn’t compete for CPU/GPU cycles or internet bandwidth with work tasks. It’s not about the big screen (though I do enjoy big screens) but more about separation of concerns.
i limit how much entertainment i consume. it’s improved my mood.
I kept my old Sony Xperia right up until I could feel a bulge on the back of it, lol.
I don’t upgrade until the thermal runaway takes my device from me!!! Lol
I don’t upgrade until my phone decomposes lol
I only replace mine because the batteries are crapping out. Usually it’s 3-4 years.
Just get a the battery replaced. With the new rule for the EU forcing companies to make the phones with user replaceable batteries, it’ll be even easier.
I thought about it last time but the whole thing where I’m not getting OS updates anymore make me anxious. I’m not sure that’s actually a problem though.
It’s a little more hands on, but when you reach the end of OS updates support, you can switch to a community-supported OS.
Like Linux? I don’t know anything about it. I’d definitely try.
Sorta. (Android is technically Linux) What you would want to look into is a custom Android ROM. Something like OmniROM or ArrowOS.
As a side note though, installing can be a bit technical for some people and some apps don’t like to work outside of the “security” of a factory version of Android. If you are interested, I would browse around the custom Android communities here (if there are any yet) and check out sites like https://www.xda-developers.com/
Is that where you have to root it and sideload the OS? I’ve read about it.
Yeah
No, there are unfortunately no truly workable Linux OSs for phones yet AFAIK. But there are plenty of Android-based OSs that work really well, and are usually maintained for quite a while, depending on the popularity of your device. Look into LineageOS, or Pixel Experience, to name a few.
There’s ubuntu touch. I’m not sure how many phones that works on though.
When my screen is so broken I can’t use it anymore.
Not surprising. For most people smartphone reached a point where replacing every two years is pointless. My phone is also 4 years this year, still holds his battery and works flawlessly.
I’ve been upgrading every two years because usually they have some promo for trade ins (Samsung) so I’m getting a new battery and warranty (and slight improvement of camera) for about $200
Yeah I mean the processing power and general hardware just got to a point where nobody really needs more. In fact my 4 year old phone has the same amount of RAM and similar processor to my new one lol. Unless you’re cutting edge 3D gaming it’s not needed to have anything more.
I upgraded only because of battery life, higher Hz screen, newer android version, and to get a wide angle lens. Now I have those even its like…what next? Camera quality is all I ever need, screen Hz is perfect. I’m not sure what will make me upgrade next time but if I replace battery down the line and use a third party OS then maybe it’ll go even longer!
To be honest, if my current phone had the a reliable way for me to change it’s battery, I would keep it for longer even! I got my custom ROM going with the latest updates, pixel ported cam. The only limitation I have is lack of 5g and reduced battery life. In all honesty, with chargers in my car, work and home, it hasn’t become a reason to change yet.
Yeah honestly I can see why manufacturers are so reluctant to put replaceable batteries in phones. It’s one of the main reasons people upgrade these days.
They have the handy excuse that it’s to make the phone waterproof and they will die on that hill it seems!
Even that is a lame excuse, waterproof phones event existed in the replaceable battery era! Speaking of the replaceable battery era, I remember those extended batteries. With a thicker back cover, we got even bigger batteries. It’s a pity how we have no choice now.
Going on 6.
Had mine for 5 years so far and not planning to replace it any time soon. It even has a 720p display, can’t say I ever notice or think “wow I wish I had a QHD phone instead”
Crazy, even the LG G6 I had 6 years ago had a QHD screen.
You likely aren’t missing that much, if that is a normal LCD and presumably a smaller screen you probably have smaller pixels on your phone than a modern 1080p OLED because of the pentile subpixel array.
Jokes on them, last phone I bought from them was in 1999. Still have it somewhere. Haven’t used it since 2000 or so of course.
I don’t see any reason in 2023 to replace my iPhone 12
I will buy a new phone when my phone actually dies, broken screens and old batteries can be replaced. And iOS gets updates for like forever.
Still rocking my iphone X! Upgrade may be in order this September as the battery lasts about an hour and the screen is cracked, but damn good run.
I bought a second hand pixel 6a a couple weeks ago, my previous phone was the OnePlus 3, lasted me 5 years and at the time of purchase it was already a two years old second hand, bought them for basically the same price, 200€.
How are you liking your pixel so far? I know its off topic, but I have one myself and am really happy with it and wanted to get another perspective!
I love it, performance is good, battery is awesome, build quality is pretty good and I’m happy with the stock OS, back in the day I used to unlock the bootloader and root as soon as I get the phone, but with the software support this phone is going to have and the features it has, I hardly see any reason to root.
You’ll have to prise my 4a 5G out of my cold dead hands…
