Every smartphone has an expiration date. That day comes when software updates stop coming and you start missing out on new apps and security protections. On most phones, this only happened after three years.
But eventually things start to change. The new number is seven.
I first noticed this change in October when I reviewed Google’s $700 Pixel 8 smartphone. Google told me it’s committed to providing software updates for the phone for seven years, up from three years for previous Pixel models, because it’s the right thing to do.
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I was skeptical that this would become a trend. But this year, Samsung, the most profitable Android phone maker, has set a similar software timeline for its $800 Galaxy S24. Google later said it would do the same for the $500 Pixel 8A, the budget version of the Pixel 8 that hits stores this week.
Both companies said they are expanding software support to make their phones last longer. This is a change from the way companies talk about phones. Recently, tech giants introduced new devices that encourage people to upgrade every two years. But in the last few years, smartphone sales have slowed worldwide as improvements have become more marginal. Nowadays, people want their phones to be durable.
Samsung and Google, the most influential Android device makers, have been trying to catch up with Apple, which has traditionally provided software updates for iPhones, for nearly seven years. These moves will make phones last longer and give people more flexibility in deciding when they need to upgrade.
Google said in a statement that it expanded its software commitment for Pixel 8A because it wants customers to trust Pixel phones. Samsung said it will now deliver seven annual software updates that improve security and reliability for all Galaxy flagship phones.
Here’s what you need to know about why this happens and what you can do to make your phone last longer.
Why is this happening?
In the past, Android phone makers have said that the technical process of providing software updates is complicated, so they drop support after a few years to stay profitable. But tech companies are now under intense external pressure to invest in making their devices last longer.
In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission announced that it would step up enforcement against technology companies that make their products harder to repair and maintain. This spurred the “right to repair” movement, a proposed law that would require companies to provide parts, tools and software to extend the life of their products. Over the past few years, states such as California, New York, Minnesota and Oregon have enacted such legislation.
Google announced its new commitment to smartphones after pressure to make a similar move for its laptops.
In September, the company agreed to extend software support for its Chromebook from eight to 10 years in response to a grassroots campaign highlighting that short-lived Google laptops were causing budget crunches in schools.
The new seven-year standard of support for smartphones will have a profound impact, said Nathan Proctor, executive director of US PIRG, a nonprofit funded largely by small donors that is spearheading the Chromebook campaign.
“This is a big win for the environment,” he said. “I want to see more.”
What else do I need to do?
Software updates are a big part of what keeps a phone running well, but there are other steps to extend a smartphone’s life, similar to car maintenance. They include:
Replace your phone battery every two years
Lithium-ion batteries in phones have a limited lifespan. After about two years, the amount of charge they can hold decreases and it is wise to replace the battery.
Replacing a smartphone’s battery is not easy; Therefore, it is best to seek help from a professional. To find repair shops that service Pixel and Galaxy phones, you can contact Google and Samsung through their websites. You can also look at a reputable store nearby that has a review site like Yelp or Google Reviews. Replacing a battery usually costs around $100.
For iPhones, customers can make an appointment for a battery replacement at an Apple retail store through the company’s website. But in my experience, repair centers at Apple Stores are a gamble.
I recently made an appointment at the Apple Store in Emeryville, California, to replace the battery on my iPhone 14. When I got there the employee told me the battery was out of stock and the nearest store that sold it was a 40 minute drive away.
This was frustratingly inefficient; The Apple site shouldn’t have let me make an appointment at a store that didn’t have a battery.
When a part needed for a repair is not available, a retail associate will find the nearest store to complete the repair or order the replacement part and perform the repair when the part arrives, Apple said in a statement.
Instead I made an appointment at a local repair shop.
protect it
Smartphones are still mostly made of glass, so it’s wise to invest in a high-quality case to ensure a phone can last seven years. A screen protector is an extra bit of protection, but most people won’t like the way it ruins the picture quality of the screen. Wirecutter, the sister site of the New York Times that reviews products, recommends cases from brands such as Smartish, Spigen and Mujjo, or phone manufacturers’ own cases.
Unless you are very accident prone, I recommend not purchasing an extended warranty as their cost can exceed the cost of repair.
Clean
Smartphones have very few moving parts, so there’s little we need to do to physically protect them. But most of us neglect to clean the parts we rarely look at: charging ports and speaker vents.
Over time, these holes become clogged with dirt, pocket lint, and makeup. This debris can cause the phone to take longer to charge or make a phone call harder to hear.
“This is the belly button fluff of cell phones,” said Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, a site that publishes instructions and sells parts for repairing electronics.
Luckily, he added, you don’t need a fancy tool. Just use a toothpick to remove debris.
Should this change the way I buy phones?
I always recommend buying a product based on what it can do for you today, rather than what companies say it will do in the future. You should continue to buy a phone based on this principle.
Many people will choose to upgrade sooner for other reasons, such as getting a new feature like a better camera or a longer-lasting battery.
But those who want to buy a phone that will last as long as possible should choose one that will be economical to repair when things break. Wiens said Google’s Pixel phones, whose parts are affordable, fit this criteria. Owners of these phones will now have longer-lasting software to keep up with the hardware.
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