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Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone?

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  Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-04-26 13:07 -0600
    Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-04-26 21:20 +0200
    Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-04-26 19:56 +0000
      Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2026-04-26 20:34 +0000
        Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-04-27 00:16 -0600
          Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2026-04-27 12:30 +0000
      Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-04-26 21:41 +0100
        Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-04-27 00:23 -0600
          Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-04-27 17:09 +0000
      Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? David Oseas <doseas{nospam}@usa.net> - 2026-04-26 14:33 -0700
        Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-04-26 22:48 +0000
      Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-04-27 14:06 +0000
        Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-04-27 16:09 +0000
          Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-04-27 17:30 +0000
            Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-04-27 18:43 +0000
              Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-04-28 14:05 +0000
          Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-04-27 18:41 +0100
            Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-04-27 18:46 +0000
          Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? knuttle <keith_nuttle@yahoo.com> - 2026-04-27 16:05 -0400
          Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-04-27 23:45 +0200
            Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-04-28 01:10 +0000
              Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-04-28 14:07 +0000
    Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Jason H <jason_hindle@yahoo.com> - 2026-04-26 22:59 +0000
    Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2026-04-27 03:29 +0200
    Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2026-04-27 10:32 +0200
    Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-04-27 16:04 +0100
      Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-04-27 15:49 +0000
        Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-04-27 17:04 +0100
          Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-04-27 15:09 -0600
          Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-04-28 09:51 +0000
            Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-04-28 14:57 -0600
              Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-04-28 23:01 +0100
      Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-04-27 16:53 +0000
        Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-04-27 18:14 +0100
          Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? AJL <noemail@none.com> - 2026-04-27 18:36 +0000
      Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2026-04-27 18:01 +0000
        Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-04-28 15:02 -0600
    Re: Survey: How many years do you typically own your Android phone? Brian Gregory <void-invalid-dead-dontuse@email.invalid> - 2026-04-27 23:00 +0100

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#153723

On 4/27/26 2:45 PM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>On 2026-04-27 18:09, AJL wrote:
 
>> English isn't my first language. Pig Latin is. Osay Ihay avehay
>> anhay xcuseay orfay otnay owingknay atthay ordway. Wow, my spell checker
>> really went nuts with that sentence. Give Google a try for translation if
>> needed...

>DeepL thinks it is Spanish, and translates as "Osay Ihay, please excuse 
>me for not being able to attend the meeting." Google thinks it is 
>Bengali, and translates as "This is not a good thing, it is a bad"

I guess that makes Frank smarter than Google cause he decoded it.

This is my first post using my new Amazon Fire 7 tablet toy (7 inch screen)
 that I have just installed Google on. It has the same Fire OS version (an
 Android fork) as my Fire HD10 tablets so it should work. But you never
 know. The biggest problem is using this tiny keyboard with my fat
 fingers...

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#153733

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:
[...]

> I guess that makes Frank smarter than Google cause he decoded it.

  I've got to rush! I'm going to print this, frame it and hang it on our
wall!

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#153697

On 26/04/2026 20:07, Maria Sophia wrote:
>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: Google Pixel 6 - three years. 
>
>Q: How long have you kept your current phone, to date?

>A: Google Pixel 9 Pro - since launch.
>
>Q: When do you reasonably plan on replacing it, and why

>A: Whenever. If the Pixel 11 knocks my socks off, I may look for a trade in. Otherwise, probably one or two more years.

I like my toys, so I don't overthink it. 

-- 
--
A PICKER OF UNCONSIDERED TRIFLES

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#153698

On Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:07:45 -0600, Maria Sophia
<mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

>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: ?

22 months


>Q: How long have you kept your current phone, to date?
>A: ?

6 years & 5 months

>Q: When do you reasonably plan on replacing it, and why?
>A: ?

When I find a replacement phone at a reasonable price and have the
money for it.

Reason: I keep getting messages "Your phone is getting full" and it
has removed several apps for that reason.

One (minor) reason for not replacing it, however, is that whenever
people urge me to "Get the app" I can say with perfect truth that
there's no room on my phone for any more apps. 


-- 
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web:  http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

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#153701

Maria Sophia, 2026-04-26 21:07:

> 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: Around 5 years

Q: How long have you kept your current phone, to date?
A: Around 3 years


Q: When do you reasonably plan on replacing it, and why?
A: When there are not software updates available any longer


-- 
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

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#153705

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> 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.

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#153706

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
> Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> 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?

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#153707

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> writes:

> Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
>> Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> 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.

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#153719

Richmond wrote:
>>   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.

While I keep all my devices until/unless they break in half over time,
what I do with old tablets is I turn them into a DIY "Android TV".

I put NewPipe and VLC on them, where they play any YouTube playlist.

It's my "Documentary TV" that I listen to in the background.

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#153728

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> writes:
> 
> > Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
[...]

> >> 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.

  If - when the phone is no longer getting any security/OS updates - you
only use it for "phone calls, text messaging", then there is no need for
"downgrading the OS". Just remove any stuff you don't use, especially
sensitive stuff/apps, and continue to use it. If you take normal
precautions like locking the phone, making it remotely findable/
wipeable, etc., there should be no problem.

  Analogy: There are several people still using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista,
XP and even earlier, practicing common sense and safe hex and having no
problems.

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#153742

Frank Slootweg wrote:
>  If - when the phone is no longer getting any security/OS updates - you
> only use it for "phone calls, text messaging", then there is no need for
> "downgrading the OS". Just remove any stuff you don't use, especially
> sensitive stuff/apps, and continue to use it. If you take normal
> precautions like locking the phone, making it remotely findable/
> wipeable, etc., there should be no problem.

I didn't understand at all how "downgrading the OS" was supposed to work,
but maybe I didn't understand. If I have Android 13 (which I do) and if my
full support period ended last year, what would downgrading to Android 12
do for me? Did I misunderstand what 'downgrading the os' means?

As for wiping out problematic apps, there might be a simpler way which is
to install NetGuard and just remove their Wi-Fi and/or Data access.

That way, if we ever really do need the app, we can toggle it back.

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#153744

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> writes:

> Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>  If - when the phone is no longer getting any security/OS updates -
>> you only use it for "phone calls, text messaging", then there is no
>> need for "downgrading the OS". Just remove any stuff you don't use,
>> especially sensitive stuff/apps, and continue to use it. If you take
>> normal precautions like locking the phone, making it remotely
>> findable/ wipeable, etc., there should be no problem.
>
> I didn't understand at all how "downgrading the OS" was supposed to
> work, but maybe I didn't understand. If I have Android 13 (which I do)
> and if my full support period ended last year, what would downgrading
> to Android 12 do for me? Did I misunderstand what 'downgrading the os'
> means?
>

That was my phrase. I was referring to downgrading android to a
restricted version of android.

There are still risks in android even with few apps, e.g. wifi for wifi
calling, mobile data maybe for 4g calling, the messages app, the calling
app.

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#153709

On 4/27/26 8:04 AM, Richmond wrote:
>Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> writes:

>> Q: How long did you keep your penultimate phone before replacing it?

>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.

My phone quit getting Samsung security updates well over a year ago. Google
 still updates it's stuff so I still use it (email etc.) but I don't keep
 any sensitive apps (financial etc.) on it. And it still does all the things
 your restricted Android does. I'm probably more paranoid than most but I
 really don't think I'm in that much danger with the precautions I took. And
 I like the old phone so why make a paranoia only change...

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#153711

AJL <noemail@none.com> writes:

> My phone quit getting Samsung security updates well over a year
> ago. Google still updates it's stuff so I still use it (email etc.)
> but I don't keep any sensitive apps (financial etc.) on it. And it
> still does all the things your restricted Android does. I'm probably
> more paranoid than most but I really don't think I'm in that much
> danger with the precautions I took. And I like the old phone so why
> make a paranoia only change...

I use my phone for one-time passwords. Not because I want to, but
because they want to. So, even SMS becomes a security issue, or using an
authenticator app because SMS is a security issue. It's just like they
want us to sink deeper and deeper into this stuff until it's embedded
under the skin.

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#153715

On 4/27/26 10:14 AM, Richmond wrote:
>AJL <noemail@none.com> writes:

>> My phone quit getting Samsung security updates well over a year
>> ago. Google still updates it's stuff so I still use it (email etc.)
>> but I don't keep any sensitive apps (financial etc.) on it. And it
>> still does all the things your restricted Android does. I'm probably
>> more paranoid than most but I really don't think I'm in that much
>> danger with the precautions I took. And I like the old phone so why
>> make a paranoia only change...

>I use my phone for one-time passwords. Not because I want to, but
>because they want to.

If you mean 2FA I do also. For Google stuff I get a yes/no button page but
 it goes to all my Google devices and I can answer on any of them. Other
 sites send me one time codes by SMS or email. Even if intercepted I doubt
 the codes would be of use to anyone. 

>So, even SMS becomes a security issue, or using an
>authenticator app because SMS is a security issue. It's just like they
>want us to sink deeper and deeper into this stuff until it's embedded
>under the skin.

I use the Google Messages app for SMS and Google's last update on my old
 phone was last month so it should be reasonably safe...

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#153714

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
> Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> 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.

Maybe you could by deleting every app you can except the phone dialler and
SMS app. 

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#153743

Chris wrote:
>> 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.
> 
> Maybe you could by deleting every app you can except the phone dialler and
> SMS app.

Simpler would be NetGuard freeware (but don't get it from Google Play as 
that version is crippled). This is copied from my notes on NetGuard... 

With NetGuard, you just click a button for each app to firewall either 
the wi-fi access or the data access (or both).

That way, if you need the app later, it's still there.

  <verbatim copy>
11. NetGuard Firewall
   <https://netguard.me/>
   <https://github.com/M66B/NetGuard/releases>
On Android devices, you can add a system-wide firewall such as NetGuard.
It can block Wi-Fi/CellularData access per app. Not available on iOS.

I don't have much experience with RethinkDNS, but it's a FOSS Android app 
that combines encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT/DNSCrypt) with a system-wide firewall. 
 i. RethinkDNS = firewall + encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT/DNSCrypt) + blocklists
 ii. NetGuard = firewall + per-app blocking + ad/tracker blocklists

 *NetGuard* no-root firewall, by Marcel Bokhorst, FairCode BV
 free, ad free, gsf ????, 4.3 star 25.8K reviews 5M+ Downloads
 <https://netguard.me/>
 <https://github.com/M66B/NetGuard/releases>
 <https://github.com/M66B/NetGuard/releases/download/2.303/NetGuard-v2.303-release.apk>
 <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.faircode.netguard>

Karma Firewall
https://github.com/StarGW-net/karma-firewall
https://f-droid.org/packages/net.stargw.fok/

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#153721

On 26/04/2026 20:07, Maria Sophia wrote:
> 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: Approx 5 years
> 
> Q: How long have you kept your current phone, to date?
A: 5.5 Years
> 
> Q: When do you reasonably plan on replacing it, and why?
A: ASAP, it's getting unbearably buggy and unreliable and the battery 
only holds enough power for about half a day of being careful not to use 
it too much.
-- 
Brian Gregory (in England).

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