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. For most phones, this only happened after about three years.
But things are finally starting to change. The new number is seven.
I first noticed this change when I reviewed Google’s $700 Pixel 8 smartphone in October. Google told me it’s committed to providing software updates for the phone for seven years, up from three years for previous Pixels, 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 top-grossing Android phone maker, set a similar software timeline for its $800 Galaxy S24. Google then said it would do the same for its $500 Pixel 8A, the budget version of the Pixel 8 that arrived in stores this week.
Both companies said they have expanded their software support to make their phones last longer. It’s a change from the way companies used to talk about phones. Not long ago, tech giants introduced new devices that encouraged people to upgrade every two years. But over the past few years, smartphone sales have slowed globally as their improvements have become more subdued. Nowadays, people want their phones to last.
Samsung and Google, the two most influential Android device makers, are playing catch-up with Apple, which has traditionally provided software updates for the iPhone for about seven years. These moves will make phones last much longer and give people more flexibility to decide when it’s time to upgrade.
Google said in a statement that it extended its software commitment to the Pixel 8A because it wants customers to feel confident about Pixel phones. And Samsung said it will deliver seven years of software updates that boost security and reliability to all its flagship Galaxy phones from now on.
Here’s what you need to know about why this happens and what you can do to extend the life of your phone.
Why is this happening?
In the past, Android phone makers said the technical process of providing software updates was complicated, so to stay profitable, they ended support after a few years. But tech companies are now under strong external pressure to invest in longer device life.
In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission announced it would step up enforcement against tech companies that make it difficult to fix and maintain their products. That spurred the “right-to-repair” movement, part of proposed legislation that would have required companies to provide parts, tools and software to extend the life of their products. In the past few years, states including California, New York, Minnesota and Oregon have passed such legislation.
Google announced its new commitment to smartphones after being pressured to make a similar move for its laptops.
In September, the company agreed to extend software support for its Chromebook to 10 years, instead of eight, in response to a grassroots campaign highlighting how short-lived Google laptops are causing school budget busts.
Nathan Proctor, a director at US PIRG, a nonprofit largely funded by small donors that is leading the Chromebook campaign, said the new seven-year support standard for smartphones will have a profound effect.
“This is a huge win for the environment,” he said. “I want to see more of this.”
What else should I do?
Software updates are a big part of what keeps a phone running well, but there are other steps to extend the life of a smartphone, just like maintaining a car. They include:
Replace your phone’s battery every two years
Lithium-ion batteries in phones have a limited life. After about two years, the amount of charge they can hold decreases and it is wise to replace the battery.
Replacing a smartphone battery isn’t easy, so it’s best to seek help from a professional. To find repair shops that service Pixel and Galaxy phones, you can contact Google and Samsung on their websites. You can also look for a reputable store nearby with a review site like Yelp or Google Reviews. Battery replacement usually costs about $100.
For iPhone, customers can schedule a battery replacement appointment at an Apple Store through the company’s website. But in my experience, repair centers at Apple Stores are a gamble.
I recently made an appointment to have my iPhone 14 battery replaced at the Apple Store in Emeryville, CA. When I arrived the clerk said the battery was dead and the nearest store that supplied it was a 40 minute drive away.
This was disappointingly ineffective; the apple site wouldn’t let me book an appointment at a store that didn’t have a battery.
Apple said in a statement that when a part needed for a repair is not available, a retail employee will find the nearest store to complete the repair or order the replacement part and perform the repair when the part arrives.
Instead, I made an appointment at a local repair shop.
Protect it
Smartphones are still mostly made of glass, so for a phone to last seven years, it’s wise to invest in a high-quality case. The screen protector is extra protection, although many won’t be happy with how it distorts the picture quality on the screen. The New York Times’ product review affiliate Wirecutter recommends cases from brands like Smartish, Spigen and Mujjo, or cases from the phone makers themselves.
Unless you are very accident prone, I recommend not buying extended warranties because their costs can exceed the cost of repairs.
Clean it up
Smartphones have few moving parts, so we don’t have to do much to physically support them. But most of us neglect cleaning the parts we rarely look at: charging ports and speaker openings.
Over time, these holes become clogged with dirt, pocket lint and makeup. This accumulated debris can cause the phone to take longer to charge or make a phone call harder to hear.
“It’s the umbilical cord of cell phones,” said Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, a site that publishes instructions and sells parts for repairing electronics.
Fortunately, he added, you don’t need a fancy tool. Just use a toothpick to dig out the piece.
Should this change the way I buy phones?
I always recommend buying a product based on the here and now – what it can do for you today, as opposed to what companies say it will do in the future. You should continue to buy a phone on this principle.
Many people will choose to upgrade early for other reasons, such as getting a new feature such as a better camera or longer battery life.
But those who simply want to buy a phone that will last as long as possible should choose one that will be economical to repair when something breaks. Wiens said Google’s Pixel phones, whose parts are available, meet that criteria. Owners of these phones will now have longer-lasting software to keep up with the hardware.
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