How long will/should a quality phone like the S4 last? What's your update cycle?

[ibcop]

I usually trade out devices when something new comes out - usually about every 6 months or so.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

I agree, but the logic is based upon carriers' locked down bootloaders and limited access to Android OS versions. If AT&T would allow consumers to update their phones to the latest OS, they wouldn't sell as many every 12 months. The GS4 could potentially last the consumer 5 years or more if they could update to the latest OS. How it stands now, the carriers (most of them) require a phone upgrade to get the latest OS. So, the actual hardware is far from obsolete, rather the carriers use planned obsolescence via preventing OS updates. I work in the computer hardware and software industry and phone hardware is not obsolete until it either doesn't have the storage capacity to hold the latest OS or its processor or RAM begin to degrade. Additionally, I have a Motorola Atrix from 2011 which was dropped in water. We are still using it to test android app compatability.

We can just agree to disagree on this one. I used the Motorola Droid (Milestone) as an example because it is only about 3 1/2 years old, and even if it had a large enough hard drive, I don't think it could run current versions of Android. Is the pace of technology now such that the GS4 may still be able to run whatever version of Android is around in 4 years? Maybe, maybe not.

WoW! As much work as it is to set up all new twitter, FB, Tumblr, Foursquare, games etc etc, port contacts and everything 3-4 months is wild, that just seems tiring. I think every 2 years give or take a month on either side is reasonable and entirely in line with most peoples contracts. My last phone my lovely EVO 3D was right on time and concidentally (Or not so coincidentally) I was eligable for upgrading the first of April. so 22 months. And the was still performing flawlessly especially after the software upgrade last summer.

3 to 4 months is nothing, considering those of us that root and install ROMs have to go through this process each time. Once you've done it enough, you get very familiar with how to backup and restore, and which settings need to be fixed, etc. I can usually go from a fully reset phone to how I want it setup in about 30-40 minutes...depending on how long it takes apps to download.

 

[MikeDubC]

WoW! As much work as it is to set up all new twitter, FB, Tumblr, Foursquare, games etc etc, port contacts and everything 3-4 months is wild, that just seems tiring. I think every 2 years give or take a month on either side is reasonable and entirely in line with most peoples contracts. My last phone my lovely EVO 3D was right on time and concidentally (Or not so coincidentally) I was eligable for upgrading the first of April. so 22 months. And the was still performing flawlessly especially after the software upgrade last summer.

I have everything backed up so it is very easy actually. I can get up an running in under an hour.

 

[Reformed IOS User]

I just came from a iPhone 3GS - only got a new phone because I broke it trying to change the battery

 

[americasteam]

About every 3 months for me. I have issues. :O(

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[vasekvi]

About every 3 months for me. I have issues. :O(

Posted via Android Central App

I'd go broke.

Sent from my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ansh Narula1]

6 Months! I upgrade every 6 months. Can't stand old tech....My kids love me.

Wait till they grow up and ask you where all the money went? Buy some stocks for them every once in a while they'll love you till you live & beyond.

 

[Jordan Samuel]

I've only recently reboxed my Galaxy S (1!) and I bought that when it came out. There's not a scratch on it as I had a screen protector and a nice silicone case to protect it throughout all those years, Back in its original box, with original non depleted battery like brand new. Waiting until one day it might be an antique . It was a great phone, but now I've upgraded that to an even better one. the S5, Hopefully that will last as long, and even more so because of all the nice new features and the power of it is just wow!

Over and out.

 

[MarcoDelgallego]

I've had the S2 for 5 years and it still works great, my only 2 complaints are battery life and app storage. Since apps are much bigger than they used to be I can only have like 4 apps, like Youtube, Instagram, Whatsapp, and EasyTaxi. I guess bigger apps also translates to decreased battery life, I'm not sure if it was the same when I first got it. I had to replace it a while ago because it was lasting less than 3 hours. The new one gets down to 10% in like 8 hours with light usage.

So yeah, this should give you a clue about how long your phone should last, I think an S4 should definitely last a lot longer because app storage is probably much bigger as well as the battery. You will probably have to replace the battery soon though.

 

[Gerald Feather]

Hi!
I realize it's been about 5 years since the original post, but in case people are still wondering how these devices held up, I have a Samsung Galaxy note 2 and note 3. The note 3 gets the most usage. I am typing this post on it now. It's 5 years old approximately and still working pretty good. I do notice the battery doesn't last as long as it once did. And because I have never done a factory reset, (I know I should but can't bring myself to backup all my texts etc. I havent) it is quite a bit slower... but that is my fault. The note 2, which isn't bogged down with excessive apps is quite fast and is 6 years old. I have dropped this phone more times than I care to admit, still working fine.