Phone Lifespan

[skicat]

My apologies if this is the billionth time this question has been asked. When answering, pls assume I know next to nothing about smartphones. Since 2010, I've owned two: an LG K7 MS330 which I loved, and a Galaxy J3 Prime which is adequate. Metro by T-Mobile has been my carrier for 10 years and it works great for me. Not a heavy user. No gaming, no streaming, almost no photo or video shoots. Surf, news, text, phone and once in a great while, WiFi hotpsot. I've bought inexpensive phones so far, and I'd like to continue to. Basing your answers on my needs, and not your preferences, pls tell me why I should upgrade to more than 2GB RAM, which adds $100 to price range of phones I'm considering (2019 Moto G7 Play: Android 9 Pie vs. 2021 G7 Power: Android 10). (Yes, I'm cheap. When you start living on a fixed income, you might be too.) Also, I know there are update/security implications. How long does Android usually support a given operating system? Many thanks for your help.

 

[B. Diddy]

As time goes on and phones become more powerful (even the budget/midrange ones), apps get bigger and use more and more RAM. On a phone that has less than 2 GB RAM, this can lead to more slowdowns or even crashes, as the system struggles to manage its RAM in the face of apps that are demanding more.

As for updates, security is always an important consideration. Most of the time, security updates are for fairly obscure vulnerabilities that the average user will never face, but sometimes there are major flaws that need to get patched, and you don't want to miss those. But apart from that, developers will usually abandon support for much older OS versions as their APIs (https://www.howtogeek.com/343877/what-is-an-api/) become out of date. This means that an older phone might lose compatibility with a fair number of apps, both major and minor.

To give you an idea, KitKat (Android 4.4), which is a bit over 7 years old, has lost a lot of support, while Lollipop (Android 5, a bit over 6 years old) is starting to lose compatibliity.

 

[Rhyalus]

I think people should upgrade / change devices based on need, especially if you have a budget you need to consider.

If your phone works perfectly and suits your needs, there is no reason to upgrade EXCEPT in the case of losing support for both the hardware and the software (security updates, for example).

There are PLENTY of budget friendly smart phones that are not "flagships" but will get the job done, and some of them are surprisingly good. Check out the 1000 YouTube videos on smartphone reviews...

And if you are getting a new phone, 2GB is criminally low - especially if you want it to last for a couple of years (new apps, etc.).

R

 

[Morty2264]

I see you are a newer user here - welcome to Android Central!

I'd say as long as you take care of your phone and keep it updated to the late software, it should run well and should last you at least two years. My phones will usually run me a year and a half - but they'd likely last longer if I didn't cave in and buy a new phone, just because I wanted to! Sure, the batteries may grow a little tired and I may have some lag; but my phones would still be usable well after the 14-month mark.

If you are not one to use a ton of apps and games, I think that too will enable your phone to last longer. Lots of games and apps contain malware; or the sheer size of the apps in question could slow down your phone.

In any case, I am sure a budget- or mid-range-level phone would suit your needs and would have a hefty lifespan to boot.

 

[J Dubbs]

My apologies if this is the billionth time this question has been asked. When answering, pls assume I know next to nothing about smartphones. Since 2010, I've owned two: an LG K7 MS330 which I loved, and a Galaxy J3 Prime which is adequate. Metro by T-Mobile has been my carrier for 10 years and it works great for me. Not a heavy user. No gaming, no streaming, almost no photo or video shoots. Surf, news, text, phone and once in a great while, WiFi hotpsot. I've bought inexpensive phones so far, and I'd like to continue to. Basing your answers on my needs, and not your preferences, pls tell me why I should upgrade to more than 2GB RAM, which adds $100 to price range of phones I'm considering (2019 Moto G7 Play: Android 9 Pie vs. 2021 G7 Power: Android 10). (Yes, I'm cheap. When you start living on a fixed income, you might be too.) Also, I know there are update/security implications. How long does Android usually support a given operating system? Many thanks for your help.

Moto phones have served my wife very well.... she uses her phones very similarly to you. We've spent about $150-$200 on clearance for her last couple of phones brand new, and they've lasted her very well. Her current phone is a Moto G6 and runs everything she needs with no problem, and has more battery life and charges faster than my pixel

 

[skicat]

Thanks for your answers everybody. Just ordered a Moto G7 Plus from Best Buy for $127 including tax and free shipping! Android 9 Pie (supposedly upgraded to 10 in January this year, 4MB RAM, 64GB Memory + up to 512GB sim card and 90% customer approval on various retailer surveys. Hope this phone will last for awhile. Stay safe and well.