How many years can one expect to get out of a Nexus 5x?

[anon(8444889)]

My wife has only used iphones and now that Verizon charges less when you don't upgrade to a new phone after the 2 years I see us using our phones for longer periods of time. She has had her iPhone 5 for 2 1/2 yrs so far.

She is open to switching to Android since the phones are much cheaper so I am considering getting her a Nexus 5x eventually. But I am worried about how future proof it is with a its slightly lower specs like ram.

For those of you with a Nexus 5x, how many good years do you think it will last?

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[MattKerwin]

I could definitely see it going 2-2.5...not as long as some folks have gotten out of the original N5 but I'd say that's a solid bet

 

[Slowhite03]

It really depends on how much you use your phone and what you expect to get out of your phone.

I have an iPhone 4s that still works but is slow as heck. If you take care of your phone and realize that in 2+ years your phone will be , I don't see why you can't make it last exponentially.

 

[benhaube]

I don't really see this phone lasting longer than 2 years, but I am one who buys a new phone yearly. I have no doubt Google will continue to support this phone for a long time, but the battery will likely be shot by the 2 year mark.

Posted via the Android Central app on my Nexus 5X with Project Fi

 

[bpe4]

benhaube speaks the truth. I'm willing to guess your wife uses the basic functions: calls, text, web, a few non-intensive apps. If so, the 5X will definitely be good for 2 years... but you have to be willing to accept that you'll probably be down 10-15% in total battery capacity by then, with it worsening more quickly. She's probably experiencing that now with her iphone but not realizing it if she's good about charging nightly.

 

[eaccentsac]

benhaube speaks the truth. I'm willing to guess your wife uses the basic functions: calls, text, web, a few non-intensive apps. If so, the 5X will definitely be good for 2 years... but you have to be willing to accept that you'll probably be down 10-15% in total battery capacity by then, with it worsening more quickly. She's probably experiencing that now with her iphone but not realizing it if she's good about charging nightly.

I've rarely seen a noticeable drop in battery life in my phones at the 2 year mark. I plug in and charge every night and unplug in the morning. Additionally, I top off whenever I'm sitting at a desk (either at home or at work), and I have almost never let the battery die completely. This has worked for me for as long as I've had smartphones (dating back to the Palm Treo 650, circa late 2004).

I'm also a moderate user--not a heavy one--so not sure if that makes a huge difference or not.

That said, I would think a 2 year lifespan on a phone would be easy to achieve, and possibly a 3rd year. Beyond that, you're likely so far behind in OS versions (in terms of app compatibility and dev support) that you'll need a new phone regardless of how your battery is performing.

To me, this is what makes the cheaper phones like the 5X, Moto X Pure, OnePlus, etc so awesome. Instead of paying $600+ for a phone, you're paying in the $400s for a very usable devices and you're able to upgrade more often.

 

[aysiu]

Are you asking how long it will function or how long it will be until you / your wife become dissatisfied with it?

My Moto X 2013 has a horrible (by today's standards) camera, and that was a huge factor in my upgrading to the Nexus 5x, but my two-year-old Moto X still functions quite speedily and has great battery life. If it wasn't for the camera, I could probably use my Moto X for at least another year and a half or two years.

So if your wife isn't likely to be dissatisfied with the phone itself after two years, the phone itself will probably function for 3-4 years.

 

[eaccentsac]

Are you asking how long it will function or how long it will be until you / your wife become dissatisfied with it?

My Moto X 2013 has a horrible (by today's standards) camera, and that was a huge factor in my upgrading to the Nexus 5x, but my two-year-old Moto X still functions quite speedily and has great battery life. If it wasn't for the camera, I could probably use my Moto X for at least another year and a half or two years.

So if your wife isn't likely to be dissatisfied with the phone itself after two years, the phone itself will probably function for 3-4 years.

I have a girl friend that kept her Android device for 4 years because she liked it, it did what she wanted, and she didn't like the newer (bigger phone) options. She finally had to give up that device earlier this year because her apps were getting glitchy and the devs had long ago stopped supporting that OS version, plus she was getting a little alarmed at the security issues that were cropping up for Android (with no options for those on Android 2.X).

I think you are right in that the phone will still function in 3-4 years, but I think it will run the latest OS for 2.5-3 years (before hardware limitations kick in) and after that it will function in the most basic sense.

 

[aysiu]

I think you are right in that the phone will still function in 3-4 years, but I think it will run the latest OS for 2.5-3 years (before hardware limitations kick in) and after that it will function in the most basic sense.

That's a good point. Even with Nexus phones, Google doesn't update them forever, so you may be missing out on critical security patches. So, yeah, realistically, a smartphone's lifespan is about 2-2.5 years.

 

[eaccentsac]

That's a good point. Even with Nexus phones, Google doesn't update them forever, so you may be missing out on critical security patches. So, yeah, realistically, a smartphone's lifespan is about 2-2.5 years.

I placed my estimate on 2.5-3 years since some N4s (launched in late 2012) are running Marshmallow. I haven't, however, paid that much attention to how well it runs on the N4.

 

[PhiPsi32]

I agree with above comments that it depends on your expectations and usage pattern. My 5X is a secondary phone. I fully expect to get 3-4yrs service out of it. That aside the technology changes so quickly that a 2yr life cycle is more realistic. And I'm not talking about RAM. Other features such as cellular bands (band 12 anyone?), WiFi bands (n to ac to ?), Bluetooth standards, and so on. These keep changing and affect the way you use your handset. So you should take a global approach as to when your handset ages out.

 

[Crashdamage]

I placed my estimate on 2.5-3 years since some N4s (launched in late 2012) are running Marshmallow. I haven't, however, paid that much attention to how well it runs on the N4.

I'm typing this on a Nexus 4 running Marshmallow 6.0. It runs 6.0 perfectly, fast and stable. This phone was supposed to be retired from daily use long ago, but I just like it and still use it every day. I can't seem to wear the battery out, it gets charged daily but is showing no signs of slacking off.

Point is, I think 3 years, give or take a little, is very reasonable to expect, especially if it's a Nexus. And a phone doesn't cease to function when updates stop, you can still use it. My original HTC G1 still works.

If you want OS updates beyond what's officially offered, you can do like my trusty Nexus 4, root and do updates anyway.

I think a phone that was a really good device when new could give even 4-5 years of good service.

 

[benhaube]

That's a good point. Even with Nexus phones, Google doesn't update them forever, so you may be missing out on critical security patches. So, yeah, realistically, a smartphone's lifespan is about 2-2.5 years.

I wouldn't keep my Nexus 5X past the time Google stops sending out monthly security patches.

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[John Zwiers]

My wife and I have Nexus 4's for 3 years. We just bought new phones. 3 Years is reasonable, though performance will be behind newer phones.

 

[PeltFrelken]

Are you asking how long it will function or how long it will be until you / your wife become dissatisfied with it?

My Moto X 2013 has a horrible (by today's standards) camera, and that was a huge factor in my upgrading to the Nexus 5x, but my two-year-old Moto X still functions quite speedily and has great battery life. If it wasn't for the camera, I could probably use my Moto X for at least another year and a half or two years.

So if your wife isn't likely to be dissatisfied with the phone itself after two years, the phone itself will probably function for 3-4 years.

"Dissatisfied" & "Wife", two terrifying words to have to see in one sentence. Tread carefully, to all.

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[eaccentsac]

"Dissatisfied" & "Wife", two terrifying words to have to see in one sentence. Tread carefully, to all.

Posted via the Android Central App

Wise men avoid having those two words paired in the same sentence! LOL

 

[King_Bajan15]

I just upgraded from a nexus 4. My n4 is not what it used to be when I first got it, but it has been very solid solid for having it since it launched. I would think this phone would be a solid driver for 2 or 3 years if you take care of it.

 

[PeltFrelken]

Minimum 2, decent chance for 3. Really solid phone.

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[slave]

I want to lie and say 3 years, or even two years, but fact is, these are cheap. I will put a few bucks a month up until October, when I will buy the new one. I will buy a new one every year, I think.

I love this phone, but the next one will be perfect.

After the N5 came out, the people spoke, we got a phablet with the N6. The people spoke, then we got a cheaper, properly priced phablet and the N5X. The people have spoken again. The weaker N5X internals have made people upset. The next N5X will be amazing.

I may settle on that one, but I doubt it.

 

[eaccentsac]

I want to lie and say 3 years, or even two years, but fact is, these are cheap. I will put a few bucks a month up until October, when I will buy the new one. I will buy a new one every year, I think.

I love this phone, but the next one will be perfect.

After the N5 came out, the people spoke, we got a phablet with the N6. The people spoke, then we got a cheaper, properly priced phablet and the N5X. The people have spoken again. The weaker N5X internals have made people upset. The next N5X will be amazing.

I may settle on that one, but I doubt it.

If nothing drastic happens to the economy or my circumstances, I plan to buy a new ~ 5" screen, moderately priced Nexus every year as well. I figure that after a year, that the Nexus device will sell for a decent amount of money (based on how well the Nexus phones seem to hold their value thus far), especially since I keep my devices pristine with cases and screen protectors.

I used to buy a [Motorola] "flagship" every year, however, the fact that "mid-range" devices are now spec'd well enough to satisfy me indicates how nice the phones have become and I'm almost ready to get off the flagship train....