4 ms·

Expensive devices turns to ewaste in shorter time frames for reasons other than support. This is a poor metric to pick on.

TeMPOraL 2y ago
Devices? Yes. Expensive? Only if you fail in picking them. Buy an iPhone or something. I'm in Android camp, but I only buy flagships (after some bad experiences with cheap end of the phone spectrum) specifically because I can rely on them to work for 3+ years, getting updates over that period, and importantly, still being performant enough relative to contemporary software as to not be annoying to use. I agree with GP here. In the current security-obsessed zeitgeist, 2 years of security updates is criminally low, pretty much designed to generate e-waste.
- f1shy 2y ago
  In my experience, I had to give about 100/yr to havea relatively good device foor my needs. I could choose to buy a cheap thing every year, or 600 every 6; for similar Performance. I prefer to change device no so often. 2 years is just too short.
- microtonal 2y ago
  Something like a Samsung A55 will also get 5 years of security updates. This line usually converges to around 300 Euros halfway the yearly product release cycle. There are cheaper Samsung models with long support periods, but last time I looked, they would only get quarterly security updates. The Pixel _a_ line usually also has pretty good pricing, but they tend to have weird issues/bugs. (I'm an iPhone user, but just to point out that there are also more affordable options with longer support periods.)
- szundi 2y ago
  iPhones have very good resale value even after 3 years, financially not that expensive! Easily good for 5 years and even then you can have decent money for it. Of course they can become pretty expensive suddenly - just when you drop them.
craftkiller 2y ago
There is a middle ground. I spent $94 total after taxes/fees getting a Pixel 6A in August 2023. Its security updates end-of-life is July 2027. That's 4 years of security updates for only $23 more (assuming the £59 is taxes and fees included) and my pixel 6a specs blow this thing out of the water.
- hooli_gan 2y ago
  Yeah, but where the hell do you get it so cheap from?
  - craftkiller 2y ago
    It was right around the time they started phasing out the pixel 6a (stores no longer stocking new 6a) and a deal for it came up on a popular deal forum with the abbreviation "SD". (I don't want to link to the site because I think at least half the content is ads and other sponsored content).
nonplus 2y ago
It seems like a valid metric to pick on. Premium devices are refreshed early/short cycle their lifespans because they are purchased by customers with disposable income. Budget devices should be sold to last as that's what's important to the customers buying them. As a counter though, I would say with 2gb of ram this device just won't be fast enough for most of its users in 3 years anyway; so although I find this a valid argument to make, a new issue pops up immediately (for me at least).

TeMPOraL 2y ago

Devices? Yes. Expensive? Only if you fail in picking them. Buy an iPhone or something. I'm in Android camp, but I only buy flagships (after some bad experiences with cheap end of the phone spectrum) specifically because I can rely on them to work for 3+ years, getting updates over that period, and importantly, still being performant enough relative to contemporary software as to not be annoying to use. I agree with GP here. In the current security-obsessed zeitgeist, 2 years of security updates is criminally low, pretty much designed to generate e-waste.

f1shy 2y ago
In my experience, I had to give about 100/yr to havea relatively good device foor my needs. I could choose to buy a cheap thing every year, or 600 every 6; for similar Performance. I prefer to change device no so often. 2 years is just too short.
microtonal 2y ago
Something like a Samsung A55 will also get 5 years of security updates. This line usually converges to around 300 Euros halfway the yearly product release cycle. There are cheaper Samsung models with long support periods, but last time I looked, they would only get quarterly security updates. The Pixel _a_ line usually also has pretty good pricing, but they tend to have weird issues/bugs. (I'm an iPhone user, but just to point out that there are also more affordable options with longer support periods.)
szundi 2y ago
iPhones have very good resale value even after 3 years, financially not that expensive! Easily good for 5 years and even then you can have decent money for it. Of course they can become pretty expensive suddenly - just when you drop them.

craftkiller 2y ago

There is a middle ground. I spent $94 total after taxes/fees getting a Pixel 6A in August 2023. Its security updates end-of-life is July 2027. That's 4 years of security updates for only $23 more (assuming the £59 is taxes and fees included) and my pixel 6a specs blow this thing out of the water.

hooli_gan 2y ago
Yeah, but where the hell do you get it so cheap from?
- craftkiller 2y ago
  It was right around the time they started phasing out the pixel 6a (stores no longer stocking new 6a) and a deal for it came up on a popular deal forum with the abbreviation "SD". (I don't want to link to the site because I think at least half the content is ads and other sponsored content).

nonplus 2y ago

It seems like a valid metric to pick on. Premium devices are refreshed early/short cycle their lifespans because they are purchased by customers with disposable income. Budget devices should be sold to last as that's what's important to the customers buying them. As a counter though, I would say with 2gb of ram this device just won't be fast enough for most of its users in 3 years anyway; so although I find this a valid argument to make, a new issue pops up immediately (for me at least).