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I'm tired of the throw away culture of Android device manufacturers. With the exception of Google Pixel and the Samsung top models, where you get up to 3 Years

I'm tired of the throw away culture of Android device manufacturers. With the exception of Google Pixel and the Samsung top models, where you get up to 3 Years (security) updates, you can throw your Android device away after 2 years, sometimes only after a year. The hardware is usually still fine after this time, but you won't get no more updates and will have an insecure device.

josefresco 8y ago
That's the beauty and power of the Android ecosystem. You aren't forced to buy an expensive "flagship" phone which makes it (and smartphones) accessible to many more people. While we all wish manufacturers would support their low end devices for years, it just doesn't make economic sense. That being said, there are plenty of mid-range and even high-end Android devices that are left out to rot. Samsung and Google are the "winners" here.
- Qwertie 8y ago
  Buying a low end android phone every year isn't doing the planet any favors.
jhasse 8y ago
You can install LineageOS after two years on many devices.
- cryptos 8y ago
  I've tried the predecessor, CyanogenMod, on an older tablet and there were hardly any update. And the installation was absolutely not fun! Another downside of rooting your device is that some Apps will no longer work (like banking apps). So, no, this is not the solution I'm looking for. And it is definitely not the solution for the average user. But thanks anyway for the suggestion.
  - jhasse 8y ago
    The rooting issue has been fixed, you can now deativate root after flashing LineageOS. There are also apps which hide the fact that you unlocked your bootloader. As for the updates: This depends on the device. Check the list of supported devices and you'll see that there are quite a few with weekly updates.
- catdog 8y ago
  And on many more you can not. It's getting increasingly difficult with that shitload of devices being on the market which while being so similar are so different. Even if you try to buy with that in mind and explicitly choose a well supported one there is no guarantee this holds true after some years. Either the next Android version breaks a lot of things or the handful of people who do the work loose interest or time to do it, often both.

josefresco 8y ago

That's the beauty and power of the Android ecosystem. You aren't forced to buy an expensive "flagship" phone which makes it (and smartphones) accessible to many more people. While we all wish manufacturers would support their low end devices for years, it just doesn't make economic sense. That being said, there are plenty of mid-range and even high-end Android devices that are left out to rot. Samsung and Google are the "winners" here.

Qwertie 8y ago
Buying a low end android phone every year isn't doing the planet any favors.

jhasse 8y ago

You can install LineageOS after two years on many devices.

cryptos 8y ago
I've tried the predecessor, CyanogenMod, on an older tablet and there were hardly any update. And the installation was absolutely not fun! Another downside of rooting your device is that some Apps will no longer work (like banking apps). So, no, this is not the solution I'm looking for. And it is definitely not the solution for the average user. But thanks anyway for the suggestion.
- jhasse 8y ago
  The rooting issue has been fixed, you can now deativate root after flashing LineageOS. There are also apps which hide the fact that you unlocked your bootloader. As for the updates: This depends on the device. Check the list of supported devices and you'll see that there are quite a few with weekly updates.
catdog 8y ago
And on many more you can not. It's getting increasingly difficult with that shitload of devices being on the market which while being so similar are so different. Even if you try to buy with that in mind and explicitly choose a well supported one there is no guarantee this holds true after some years. Either the next Android version breaks a lot of things or the handful of people who do the work loose interest or time to do it, often both.