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Revisions and updates : limited shelf life of an Android phone

fergusd84
Rising Star I
I am entirely new to Android.
If I have understood things correctly, even a brand new ZenFone 8 will only be allowed / permitted / capable of achieving (a) updates to the Android OS and (b) security updates for some linited period - what, maybe 2Y or suchlike? Thereafter it will be stuck at that status, regardless of any future developments and protections. The phone will continue to work, probably indefinitely with respect to the OS, but becoming more and more vulnerable as regards security.
Is this really the case? Surely I have got this wrong? And is it a policy imposed by Google or Asus or .. .. ? Even Microsoft offer updates for a decade or more before shutting down support on its various OSs; a car manufacturer woiuld not get away with halting safety notifications and taking any necessary actions.
I am just stunned (but also at my own ignorance). The phone cost approx 800 Euros. I would have anticipated much greater longevity than is implied by the above. What happened when billions of users world-wide presumably objected? (Or not? Is the lure of a brand new phone every two years just too intoxicating?)
Is there any way round this? Even by securing some kind of an extension at some cost?
21 REPLIES 21

D_IMAN
Rising Star II
fergusd84

Me again (OP). Sorry to bang on about this. I am perplexed that this absurd policy has gathered traction and there is no massive consumer pushback that would have led to its revision - e.g. unlimited updates OS + Security until the phone's h/ware starts to fragment would be ideal; but some combination of even time-limited OS / Security is not unreasonable and surely within the technical wit of hardware and software providers to administrate.

I suggested that MS and any car maker simply would not get away with this - is the distinction that cars and computers (typically) are purchased, whilst phones (typically) are rented? (I kept my BlackBerry for 9 years, way beyond the development likfecycle, and have used other phones, all bought not rented.) For this reason the 2Y horizon roughly equals contract duration, so for all these "billions" of users the ssue does not arise.

But the population of purchasers not renters will still be substantial (??) yet there has been no leverage to encourage providers to come up with something more aligned to conventional expectations. Is anybody aware of any ongoing pressure group that is making any headway?


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To influence such an attitude of manufacturers towards us ordinary users, we can only with our own money !!!

landsome
Rising Star II
fergusd84

Me again (OP). Sorry to bang on about this. I am perplexed that this absurd policy has gathered traction and there is no massive consumer pushback that would have led to its revision - e.g. unlimited updates OS + Security until the phone's h/ware starts to fragment would be ideal; but some combination of even time-limited OS / Security is not unreasonable and surely within the technical wit of hardware and software providers to administrate.

I suggested that MS and any car maker simply would not get away with this - is the distinction that cars and computers (typically) are purchased, whilst phones (typically) are rented? (I kept my BlackBerry for 9 years, way beyond the development likfecycle, and have used other phones, all bought not rented.) For this reason the 2Y horizon roughly equals contract duration, so for all these "billions" of users the ssue does not arise.

But the population of purchasers not renters will still be substantial (??) yet there has been no leverage to encourage providers to come up with something more aligned to conventional expectations. Is anybody aware of any ongoing pressure group that is making any headway?


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I understand why this is a bit of a problem. But why is it a serious problem? My wife's phone had not been updated in around 3 years and she is happily using it and would not give it up for anything. (And it's still plenty fast - a Sony XZ1 Compact.) My dad is using a low-tier Moto not updated in 3 years and he is plenty satisfied. Power users, on the other hand, do not keep a phone for more than 3 years. So where is the big issue, really?

maneeshgowda17
Star III
landsome

https://zentalk.asus.com/en/discussion/comment/221023#Comment_221023

I understand why this is a bit of a problem. But why is it a serious problem? My wife's phone had not been updated in around 3 years and she is happily using it and would not give it up for anything. (And it's still plenty fast - a Sony XZ1 Compact.) My dad is using a low-tier Moto not updated in 3 years and he is plenty satisfied. Power users, on the other hand, do not keep a phone for more than 3 years. So where is the big issue, really?


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It isn't a problem for regular users who don't care much about their ₹15k-20k phones cuz they just need a phone that can get them through day to day usage
But when you are paying premium amount of 60k-70k, you want it to be there with you for a long time (probably 3-5 years). Just 2 years of major update won't justify the hefty price tag
iPhone 6s that was launched with iOS 9 in 2015 got the iOS 15 update (6years of update)
There are still many using iphone 6 because it still gets major updates and it is still a secure phone (what a legend phone)
The reason why Android phones manufacturers are not able to do this is because they release a phone every few months and can't take care of all the phones they have launched
What we ask them is atleast take care of the premium products that you have launched

landsome
Rising Star II
maneeshgowda17

https://zentalk.asus.com/en/discussion/comment/221060#Comment_221060

It isn't a problem for regular users who don't care much about their ₹15k-20k phones cuz they just need a phone that can get them through day to day usage

But when you are paying premium amount of 60k-70k, you want it to be there with you for a long time (probably 3-5 years). Just 2 years of major update won't justify the hefty price tag

iPhone 6s that was launched with iOS 9 in 2015 got the iOS 15 update (6years of update)

There are still many using iphone 6 because it still gets major updates and it is still a secure phone (what a legend phone)

The reason why Android phones manufacturers are not able to do this is because they release a phone every few months and can't take care of all the phones they have launched

What we ask them is atleast take care of the premium products that you have launched


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You explain how things should be, and I generally agree it would be better. You still do not explain why it's such a big problem.

R_2
Rising Star II
landsome

https://zentalk.asus.com/en/discussion/comment/221063#Comment_221063

You explain how things should be, and I generally agree it would be better. You still do not explain why it's such a big problem.


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An example? Android 14 will have vulkan 1.3 GPU drivers which is important and good for gaming. However 3 android versions are ideal. 2 are too few for a flagship like this. Other oems give 3 android version updates and Asus has few devices to support. With hardware and price like this such a support should be the rule. Things have to change now. They are no longer devices like they used to be years ago

(Sorry if my english is wrong)