this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2025
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Google Keeps Making Smartphones Worse (jacobin.com)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by JairajDevadiga@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
180 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Google’s Android, the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, started life as open-source software. In its quest for ever-greater profits, the tech giant has been gradually eroding Android’s open-source nature over the last decade.

Originally published on The Lever, but that one asks you to sign up.

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[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 32 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (4 children)

The big problem with anything not Google or Samsung is, as it's always been, software support. You get 2 or maybe 3 years of updates and then the device is trash. So you can save a buck on the short term but it will cost you more in the long run and you'll have shitty devices all the way along anyway.

You can buy a 2 year old Pixel for $2-300 and it will last you another 4-5 years (unless Google remotely nukes your battery).

[–] Gibibit@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Just because it doesn't have latest Android doesn't mean it's trash. And Fairphone also aims for 7 years support just like your Pixel example.

[–] hikaru755@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago

It doesn't need to be the latest android version per se, but I wouldn't want to use a phone that's not getting security patches anymore

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 6 points 2 days ago

Not having security updates makes it effectively trash, as far as I'm concerned.

[–] No1@aussie.zone 2 points 2 days ago

anything not Google or Samsung is, as it’s always been, software support.

Motorola.has 5 years on most of its new phones nowadays

[–] paequ2@lemmy.today 5 points 2 days ago (3 children)

You get 2 or maybe 3 years of updates and then the device is trash.

Yeah, I've noticed this as well...

... which is why I was surprised when I read that Nothing Phone 3 will get 5 years of updates + 2 years of security updates.

https://www.androidauthority.com/nothing-phone-3-software-updates-3568533/

Nothing’s Co-Founder and Head of Marketing, Akis Evangelidis, has confirmed that the upcoming Nothing Phone 3 will ship with a “5+7” software update promise. ...likely means the phone will get five years of Android version updates and seven years of security patches...

Although, you can't install GrapheneOS on Nothing phones... so, 🤷

[–] anamethatisnt@sopuli.xyz 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

With the new sustainability laws in EU they have to offer 5 years of updates from the sale of their last unit.

The Ecodesign Regulation lays out minimum requirements for mobile phones, cordless phones and tablets to be sold on the EU market to ensure

>- greater resistance to drops, scratches, dust and water  
>- use of more durable batteries, capable of at least 800 charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of their initial capacity  
>- clear rules on disassembly and repair, requiring manufacturers to supply key spare parts within 5-10 working days, and for at least 7 years after the product model is no longer sold in the EU  
>- longer availability of operating system updates, at least 5 years from the date the last unit model is sold  
>- fair access for professional repairers to the software or firmware needed for repairs

https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/new-eu-rules-durable-energy-efficient-and-repairable-smartphones-and-tablets-start-applying-2025-06-20_en

[–] utopiah@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

clear rules on disassembly and repair, requiring manufacturers to supply key spare parts within 5-10 working days, and for at least 7 years after the product model is no longer sold in the EU

Wonder how if there is an equivalent that applies to eBike. Been waiting for my CowBoy belt since February now. Do not recommend. No more "designer" eBike now, I'll only buy bikes with the most standard parts.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 2 days ago

Yeah that's great news. Esp. considering it's an $800+ phone.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

isnt graphene mostly pixels only.

[–] noodlejetski@piefed.social 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

it's not "mostly", it's only available for several latest Pixel generations.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 days ago

It's not the "latest" Pixel generations, devices as old as the Pixel 4 receive extended support (although it's obviously not recommended) and that's mostly because Google does not support them. This will be greatly improved moving forward, since Google has promised much longer update cycles for new devices.

[–] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

All phones that are sold in the EU now have to have 5 years of updates after the phone is no longer sold.

Basically, all phones have 6+ years of updates now.