4 ms·

To me the risk is not hardware repairability, it’s lack of timely security updates and long term support of them. Outside of iPhones are there any phones on th

To me the risk is not hardware repairability, it’s lack of timely security updates and long term support of them. Outside of iPhones are there any phones on the market that get 5+ years of fast security updates?

opencl 8y ago
The only way you are going to get 5+ years of fast security updates outside of iPhones is unofficial Android ROMs such as LineageOS. My 6 year old Nexus 4 still gets updates that way.
- thaumasiotes 8y ago
  On the other hand, my release-year Nexus 4 started experiencing battery swelling several years ago, and I had to get rid of it.
  - hnuser1234 8y ago
    You can replace the battery on them with a screwdriver, hot air, and some bravery to slightly bend the original battery as you rip it out. Then you can remove the adhesive and not have to worry about doing that again, until your next "non-replaceable battery" phone. Considering any functional smartphone should be able to net you at least $80-100, and the battery can be found for $5-6, not to mention the waste electronics/recycling aspect, it seems like a smart move if you have the time and will. I did this with a Nexus 5, and broke a few clips on the back, but just enough to make the back easily removable but also stays on firmly during normal use. Now it's a regular replaceable battery phone.
    - thaumasiotes 8y ago
      I did disassemble my Nexus 5 in the hopes of getting it to boot again. (It didn't work.) In the process, I slashed my finger with the knife-like tiny screwdriver I was using, hurting quite a bit and drawing blood. I don't consider this to be something I should obviously do with all my phones.
- ryukafalz 8y ago
  Even then, you're missing out on kernel security updates. My Nexus 6P is running Android 8 with LineageOS, but it's on a 3.10 kernel, which is no longer supported.
Brakenshire 8y ago
The iPhone’s high pricing should actually be very good for the environment. People will look after their phones because of resale value, iPhones can be repaired by professionals and will be repaired because of value, and for the same reason parts can be salvaged. A cascade of products through second hand markets to meet various market niches is much better than manufacturers selling disposable directly to those niches.
TheJoYo 8y ago
Even open source projects have centered around a 5 support term. Granted, it's cheaper to upgrade to Ubuntu Bionic LTS from Ubuntu Trusty LTS than upgrading your hardware.

opencl 8y ago

The only way you are going to get 5+ years of fast security updates outside of iPhones is unofficial Android ROMs such as LineageOS. My 6 year old Nexus 4 still gets updates that way.

thaumasiotes 8y ago
On the other hand, my release-year Nexus 4 started experiencing battery swelling several years ago, and I had to get rid of it.
- hnuser1234 8y ago
  You can replace the battery on them with a screwdriver, hot air, and some bravery to slightly bend the original battery as you rip it out. Then you can remove the adhesive and not have to worry about doing that again, until your next "non-replaceable battery" phone. Considering any functional smartphone should be able to net you at least $80-100, and the battery can be found for $5-6, not to mention the waste electronics/recycling aspect, it seems like a smart move if you have the time and will. I did this with a Nexus 5, and broke a few clips on the back, but just enough to make the back easily removable but also stays on firmly during normal use. Now it's a regular replaceable battery phone.
  - thaumasiotes 8y ago
    I did disassemble my Nexus 5 in the hopes of getting it to boot again. (It didn't work.) In the process, I slashed my finger with the knife-like tiny screwdriver I was using, hurting quite a bit and drawing blood. I don't consider this to be something I should obviously do with all my phones.
ryukafalz 8y ago
Even then, you're missing out on kernel security updates. My Nexus 6P is running Android 8 with LineageOS, but it's on a 3.10 kernel, which is no longer supported.

Brakenshire 8y ago

The iPhone’s high pricing should actually be very good for the environment. People will look after their phones because of resale value, iPhones can be repaired by professionals and will be repaired because of value, and for the same reason parts can be salvaged. A cascade of products through second hand markets to meet various market niches is much better than manufacturers selling disposable directly to those niches.

TheJoYo 8y ago

Even open source projects have centered around a 5 support term. Granted, it's cheaper to upgrade to Ubuntu Bionic LTS from Ubuntu Trusty LTS than upgrading your hardware.