Path: csiph.com!weretis.net!feeder8.news.weretis.net!reader5.news.weretis.net!news.solani.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail From: Richmond Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android Subject: Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:04:13 +0100 Organization: Frantic Message-ID: <825x5cie4i.fsf@example.com> References: <10slnq0$dsk$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com> <82a4uomokr.fsf@example.com> <10so7jp.pfs.1@ID-201911.user.individual.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Injection-Info: solani.org; logging-data="1079931"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@news.solani.org" User-Agent: Gnus/5.13 (Gnus v5.13) Cancel-Lock: sha1:mtrA78xNOUX97o6c2c2NoXfpyGg= sha1:wWNC8d9Tm0ZcZfOiFNJULD5HO04= X-User-ID: eJwFwYEBwDAEBMCVfMJjHA32H6F3dgk+VxrV1nY+hW4doIHqCD8pJb0bLx/9xMDkNiW9OPMDG40Q/w== Xref: csiph.com comp.mobile.android:153707 Frank Slootweg writes: > Richmond wrote: >> Maria Sophia writes: >> >> > I keep my Android devices until they fail (usually via the battery >> > or, in the case of my current el-cheapo daily drive, the USB port >> > is failing due to me sleeping on it while charging), but I wonder >> > about your experiences. >> > >> > Q: How long did you keep your penultimate phone before replacing >> > it? A: ? >> >> I kept it until a few months after it had stopped receiving security >> updates. That was only a couple of years I think. >> >> > Q: How long have you kept your current phone, to date? A: ? >> >> I expect to keep this one longer because Samsung promises longer life >> for updates. >> >> > Q: When do you reasonably plan on replacing it, and why? A: ? >> >> It's all about security updates. >> >> What would be useful is if there were another version of android >> called restricted android, which just allowed phone calls, text >> messaging, maybe nothing else. Then I could switch to that and get >> more life out of the phone. > > Those are called 'dumb' or 'feature' (and sometimes 'flip') phones > and are still available and can use modern networks (3G/4G/5G). So why > not buy/use one of those and have a better/happier experience? While the phone is a smart phone, and receiving patches, it is more useful than a feature phone. But it is a waste to throw it away because it is no longer patched. I was thinking of some kind of life extension by downgrading the OS. Probably I would use it as a secondary backup phone, or give it away. Giving away a phone which is a security hazzard isn't necessary doing anyone a favour, if you see what I mean.