3 ms·

The update cycle on Android is not so straightforward. For instance RCS messaging, a newly added feature, is also available on Pixel 1 and older devices because

The update cycle on Android is not so straightforward. For instance RCS messaging, a newly added feature, is also available on Pixel 1 and older devices because such updates are directly sent via playstore to all the phones. So you don't really need full OS updates like in iOS. Also, you are forgetting that Android phones drop in price almost immediately, so it's not fair to compare launch prices. For instance my Pixel 4 was essentially 74000JPY just 2 months after launch compared to 120000JPY iPhone 11 Pro year round.

JohnTHaller 6y ago
You lose major OS updates after 2 years and security updates after 3. You really shouldn't be using a phone that's no longer getting security updates even if the apps themselves are getting updates. Even at those prices, the iPhone is still a bit less expensive per supported year.
- harpratap 6y ago
  Pixel phones get 3 years of full OS updates, not 2. The difference comes out to be negligible 666JPY/year. And Samsung phones get even cheaper after launch, couple that with their 4 years of security updates their cost/year is substantially lower than Pixel or iPhone.
  - GeekyBear 6y ago
    Well, one Pixel got three OS updates, but there has been no change in their written support policy that I've seen. Also, they cut off that particular Pixel from further updates right after switching to the .0 version of the new OS. Who in their right mind wants to be stuck with the buggy .0 version of an OS?
    - harpratap 6y ago
      > Well, one Pixel got three OS updates, but there has been no change in their written support policy that I've seen. https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16403922/google-pixel-2-phone-android-update-schedule https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16403922/g... Every Pixel has 3 year of support mentioned in it's support page. > Who in their right mind wants to be stuck with the buggy .0 version of an OS? Android updates have changed over time, they didn't do 9.1 or 10.1 updates at all. All bug fixes are pushed alongside security patches. And Pixel 1 got 4 updates on Android 10, last one being especially a month late due to fixing of all final bugs.
      - GeekyBear 6y ago
        Two years of OS updates with an additional year of security updates is not the same thing as three years of OS updates. As far as the Pixel 1, the people I knew who installed Android 10 on it regretted the decision. The couple of patches they got before getting cut off definitely did not iron out all the bugs.
        neurostimulant 6y ago
        At least Pixel 1 is one of the officially-supported lineageos devices, with very straight-forward installation step. Once google stop supporting it, jumping to lineageos is easy enough to do and will give the device another years of life. Nexus 6, an almost 6 years old device, is still officially supported by lineageos, so Pixel 1 will likely get supported well past 5 years as well (assuming the maintainers are motivated enough to keep working on it). On the other hand, if you use a less popular device, your option will be much more limited as the device get older.
        harpratap 6y ago
        > Two years of OS updates with an additional year of security updates is not the same thing as three years of OS updates. I don't see what your problem here is? Every Pixel gets 3 year of FULL OS UPDATES. Not 2 years OS + 1 year Security updates. > As far as the Pixel 1, the people I knew who installed Android 10 on it regretted the decision. The couple of patches they got before getting cut off definitely did not iron out all the bugs. Android folks tend to moan and complain a lot. Just look at /r/Android. All my non-tech-enthusiasts friends using Pixels have never complained about anything.
        GeekyBear 6y ago
        If Google has indeed changed their support policy, it's going to take more than an article asking if Google has done so to serve as a citation. >If Google is indeed adding another year, it would at least move closer to matching the lengthy span of time that Apple’s iPhones continue to receive new features and operating system updates. Security updates are also promised for three years, but that was already the case with the original Pixels. Also, you'll have to excuse me if I take the word of people I know when they say getting Android 10 right before they were cut off from all other updates resulted in a buggy mess.

JohnTHaller 6y ago

You lose major OS updates after 2 years and security updates after 3. You really shouldn't be using a phone that's no longer getting security updates even if the apps themselves are getting updates. Even at those prices, the iPhone is still a bit less expensive per supported year.

harpratap 6y ago
Pixel phones get 3 years of full OS updates, not 2. The difference comes out to be negligible 666JPY/year. And Samsung phones get even cheaper after launch, couple that with their 4 years of security updates their cost/year is substantially lower than Pixel or iPhone.
- GeekyBear 6y ago
  Well, one Pixel got three OS updates, but there has been no change in their written support policy that I've seen. Also, they cut off that particular Pixel from further updates right after switching to the .0 version of the new OS. Who in their right mind wants to be stuck with the buggy .0 version of an OS?
  - harpratap 6y ago
    > Well, one Pixel got three OS updates, but there has been no change in their written support policy that I've seen. https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16403922/google-pixel-2-phone-android-update-schedule https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16403922/g... Every Pixel has 3 year of support mentioned in it's support page. > Who in their right mind wants to be stuck with the buggy .0 version of an OS? Android updates have changed over time, they didn't do 9.1 or 10.1 updates at all. All bug fixes are pushed alongside security patches. And Pixel 1 got 4 updates on Android 10, last one being especially a month late due to fixing of all final bugs.
    - GeekyBear 6y ago
      Two years of OS updates with an additional year of security updates is not the same thing as three years of OS updates. As far as the Pixel 1, the people I knew who installed Android 10 on it regretted the decision. The couple of patches they got before getting cut off definitely did not iron out all the bugs.
      - neurostimulant 6y ago
        At least Pixel 1 is one of the officially-supported lineageos devices, with very straight-forward installation step. Once google stop supporting it, jumping to lineageos is easy enough to do and will give the device another years of life. Nexus 6, an almost 6 years old device, is still officially supported by lineageos, so Pixel 1 will likely get supported well past 5 years as well (assuming the maintainers are motivated enough to keep working on it). On the other hand, if you use a less popular device, your option will be much more limited as the device get older.
      - harpratap 6y ago
        > Two years of OS updates with an additional year of security updates is not the same thing as three years of OS updates. I don't see what your problem here is? Every Pixel gets 3 year of FULL OS UPDATES. Not 2 years OS + 1 year Security updates. > As far as the Pixel 1, the people I knew who installed Android 10 on it regretted the decision. The couple of patches they got before getting cut off definitely did not iron out all the bugs. Android folks tend to moan and complain a lot. Just look at /r/Android. All my non-tech-enthusiasts friends using Pixels have never complained about anything.
        GeekyBear 6y ago
        If Google has indeed changed their support policy, it's going to take more than an article asking if Google has done so to serve as a citation. >If Google is indeed adding another year, it would at least move closer to matching the lengthy span of time that Apple’s iPhones continue to receive new features and operating system updates. Security updates are also promised for three years, but that was already the case with the original Pixels. Also, you'll have to excuse me if I take the word of people I know when they say getting Android 10 right before they were cut off from all other updates resulted in a buggy mess.