topic Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates. in Other Smartphones

Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

WinstonSmith — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 12:23:44 GMT

Hi,

Samsung was on the top with its four years of Android updates, but quite recently,

Google said that from the Google Plxel 8 Pro it will have a five years software support.

Exactly what Apple has.

And don't forget about iPhone 15 series.

Since they have a USB-C connector,

it will be easier for the Android users to switch to an iPhone, easier than ever.

And for the effort to delay the price erosion,

the deprivation of its smartphones,

the longer term support is crucial.

Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

keith30 — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 12:47:43 GMT

Actually Google has been quoted in saying it looking forward in providing 7 years OS in future I very much doubt Samsung will follow.

Re: Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

WinstonSmith — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 13:00:26 GMT

Samsung will must.
Since Apple has USB-C connector, it will be much easier to switch to iPhone for the Android users.
And Google Pixel phones are praised for their exceptional value for money.
For a big group of people is not so important the brand (of course, I'm talking about android, not iOS),
but the parameters and value.

Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

Glenntech — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 13:59:42 GMT

Depends what you want from a phone.
I tend to change frequently anyway. But I don't understand why people go from a feature packed phone to an iPhone.
The iPhone is quite boring, and I say that as I have one that I need for certain things unfortunately.
But my S23 Ultra and Z Fold 5 are far better phones. More interesting as well.
Well that's my opinion anyway.
Take more than a USB-c port I would think.
The software support after 3 years on apple is just minor stuff anyway. It may go up to the new iOS number, but essentially it changes very little.
The batteries degrade just as quickly as well
Though I will concede that after sales care is very good if you have the insurance.
I've not had to use Samsung Care+. So don't have that experience. Though a couple of friends have used it and had no issues

Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

Joeeye — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 14:55:44 GMT

Personally, I think 5 years or more as a guarantee would only be feasible on the top of line S, Flip and Fold series. Android is evolving so fast, the relevance after just a couple years is phasing them out quickly. Besides this, the new OSes just become demanding and people will most definitely be complaining about performance down the line vs their next gen counterparts.

Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

JAMES4578 — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:46:53 GMT

I had a few iphones in the past and certainly think that Samsung devices are more innovative, whilst greater support is a selling point other factors outweigh that . Not so crucial obviously for customers who update fairly regularly.

Re: Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

WinstonSmith — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:06:56 GMT

I'm a Samsung user since their Omnia.
But, I'm talking from the Samsung's perspective.
They are not persuade the majority about the value of the brand.
The majority thinks that Apple products are more luxurious and prestigious,
because Apple has technically just an expensive flagships.
Samsung on the other hand has not just its S Series and Z Series, but also a plenty of almost identical A Series phones, one million of a barely working, slow craps, filled with a tons of bloatware.
And if you know something about the low-end phones,
there is always a huge problem with them.
For just a little bit more money, if you're not lazy to find the perfect option and the perfect offer,
you can buy a much better phone.
Let's take as an example Samsung Galaxy A14 5G.
It's a very cheap phone.
But, for a little bit more money, you can buy a Samsung Galaxy A 34 5G,
which is a different league.
Or, instead of that,
if you are willing to spend more, you can buy a new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, which is still a great phone, considering the fact it's possible to get one for just about £400.
Yes, it's old, but I have a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G and of course,
S23U is better,
but I did side-by-side comparison and the difference is barely noticeable in practice.
Still have S21U as my spare phone.
And even S10 5G,
which I gave to my friend,
is still capable of doing the job perfectly.
The only bad thing about S10 5G is not the official upgrade to Android 13,
or later.

Re: Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

WinstonSmith — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:22:14 GMT

You don't get my point.
It's mainly about the value of the second hand phones on the market.
If you're going to sell your let's say a two years old phone, its value will be higher,
because someone,
who is buying your used,
two years old phone will know that the phone has another three upcoming software updates.
Not everyone is happy to buy a phone, without any future support from the company.
Let's take Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, for example.
It's still a phone capable of doing pretty much everything,
despite being too old.
But because Samsung is not going to bring an update to Android 13 or later,
it's value on the market is significantly lower,
than it should have been.
I had that phone in pristine,
excellent condition.
Even with the original foils on it, with the box and everything together,
not any scratches,
plus I bought a new,
original genuine Samsung battery and let it replaced.
On the pawn shop they told me, no update of the system, £100.
So, I gave it to my friend instead.
That's what I'm talking about.

Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

BandOfBrothers — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 04:48:40 GMT

Samsung will watch the market place intently and adjust what they do accordingly to remain a defining part of their sector.

Many do keep their phone's for years so should in my opinion be supported in regards to security updates for as long as possible.

Re: Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

WinstonSmith — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 08:08:57 GMT

I'm not saying that Samsung's executives
are stupid.
It's about their
own money after all.
The playground is divided almost 50/50 for Apple and Samsung.
And Apple has a longer software support.
It's simple as that.
The longer term support is obviously more costly for Samsung.
But it will pay off.
Because no one else from the big five
(Samsung, Apple,
Xiaomi, Oppo,
and Vivo)
has not better policy.
And Oppo and Vivo are planning to leave the European market in a near future.
So Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco
as the midrange king,
Nokia is making a suicide,
Motorola is not so bad,
just a short support.
Sony is mainly
for its fanclub,
Tecno and Infinix are the big players in the poor developing countries,
so we have
Honor, OnePlus,
and it's pretty much everything.
Huawei is irrelevant
and the others have just a fractions of the market share.

Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

Anonymous User — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:33:15 GMT

I think samsung will offer more support in years to come but I think 4 years is fine. With apple if you want a cheaper phone you buy older ones so support is important with samsung if you want to buy a cheaper phone you go for a cheaper current model and I know people keep their phones long now but most people are ready to hand it over after 4 years. Got to agree though 5 years support for some people would make a difference

Re: Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

WinstonSmith — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 08:35:06 GMT

I'm changing my phones after a year or two maximum.
But it's about the value of the used phone on the market and about the value and reputation of Samsung's products as a good,
future-proof investments.
Samsung is competing mainly with Apple.
And Apple has significantly slower price deprivation of its products,
and a five years support
is one of the reasons.
Google Pixels are also a thread to Samsung,
mainly for its "FE" editions.

Re: Re: Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

Anonymous User — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 08:49:51 GMT

Yea I know what you mean resale of samsung isn't great however if you upgrade with samsung they do give you a decent wack for your old phone it's only a big issue if you go from samsung to iPhone. There is no doubt iphones sell for more though but I do think the gap is getting smaller. The other thing is apple is a premium brand where as samsung isn't but just happens to make some premium phones.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

WinstonSmith — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:18:38 GMT

Apple is supporting its products for ages,
so it's a secure future investment.
If you have a £1K+ phone
from a manufacturer with a guaranteed software support for 5 years
and another phone for the same £1K+ price with just 4 years support,
you'll probably choose 5 years support over 4 years support.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security up..

Anonymous User — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:46:33 GMT

Yea that's very true, not for me personally but the general population absolutely 👍

Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

walla — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 17:27:57 GMT

Its coming in to EU relglations from next year that all phone was get 10 years of security updates

Re: Re: Five years of Android updates and a long-term security updates.

WinstonSmith — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 13:52:24 GMT

I don't know,
I never heard of that.
But it's great for the after-sale value.
It doesn't matter,
if you want to keep your phone for longer,
or just sell the current one for a reasonable price.
Samsung will must,
because Apple has a USB-C port, the migration from Android to iOS will be a lot easier.
And to be honest,
a two-year-old S Series phone is still better,
than a brand new mid-ranger.
Even Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is still a great phone,
even with 24 around the corner.