This issue is why I would never buy another traditional Android phone. The fact that three (or sometimes just two) years of OS updates are provided by the manufacturer, plus the fact that the bootloader is often locked, basically guarantees that even the best flagship devices of today will unnecessarily end up being trash within five years or so.
These devices are computers, and they should be treated like computers.
@zak @mpanhans I agree with your statement that a mobile phone should last long - and stay secure. And that Apple is doing generally better than Google so far. I have started to look into alternative OS and recently I moved to /e/OS which has a desire to be updated longer than Google-Android. /e/OS is based on LineageOS, which is based on open Android. I use Samsung S9, it runs on /e/OS based Android 10 and is updated. /e/OS has just launched Fairphone 4 for US, from Murena. 1/2
@zak @mpanhans An alternative I am interested in is Volla phone with Volla OS, also an opensource Android fork I believe has a longer life than Google-Android. Furthermore, a "true" LinuxOS is of course very interesting, but probabaly Waydroid needs further development so critical Android apps works. Like Ubuntu touch on Volla phone, Librem 5 and more. But not really mainstream yet...! 2/2
@hehemrin Yep, I’m closely watching most of these projects. Some of them could work for me, but of course iOS is currently the easier option.
@zak Yep I’m on an iPhone 8 and I do give credit to apple for supporting this device for as long as they have. Am hoping to switch away at some point though once there are compelling enough alternatives
@sleeplessone On the next iPhone, I’m expecting USB-C. I’m not expecting sideloading anywhere except where it’s legally required, unfortunately.
@mpanhans I’ve been using iPhones for most of my adult life. If I was going to get an Android phone now, it might be a Pixel. Those typically receive very good extended support from the community.
Fairphone is appealing in theory, but I’ve been spoiled by flagship specs and I don’t really see myself wanting to compromise on quality for the sake of longevity. An iPhone gets you the good stuff plus the ~7 years of updates in some cases.