Android phones with Apple-level longevity?
September 16, 2024 9:00 AM Subscribe
Are there any Android smartphones with the longevity build quality (specs can be mediocre as long as it lasts a long time) equivalent of an Apple iPhone?
In the last half decade or so, I've owned two decidedly non-flagship iPhones (SE 2020 and iPhone 13 mini). My husband has owned two mid-range Android phones, the second/current one a Pixel 4a direct from Google. Both of his phones have developed weird issues as they age: for instance, the current one has a lot of trouble holding a charger in the charging port and recently it got stuck in a reboot loop that was pretty difficult to get out of. My iPhones, OTOH, have just slowed down as the battery ages and iOS updates push the phone's capabilities... but base functionality has been rock-solid.
So my husband is pretty frustrated with his phone acting up randomly after only a few years. He's the type to keep a device until it dies. If he invests in the flagship Android phone instead of midrange, will that actually improve 5-year longevity vs. just the camera quality, etc.? Or what other Android phones are known for their longevity and build quality?
The obvious answer here would be to switch to Apple, but having been on Android for so long, he doesn't like how iOS functions. Which I get, since I don't understand how to use his phone either.
In the last half decade or so, I've owned two decidedly non-flagship iPhones (SE 2020 and iPhone 13 mini). My husband has owned two mid-range Android phones, the second/current one a Pixel 4a direct from Google. Both of his phones have developed weird issues as they age: for instance, the current one has a lot of trouble holding a charger in the charging port and recently it got stuck in a reboot loop that was pretty difficult to get out of. My iPhones, OTOH, have just slowed down as the battery ages and iOS updates push the phone's capabilities... but base functionality has been rock-solid.
So my husband is pretty frustrated with his phone acting up randomly after only a few years. He's the type to keep a device until it dies. If he invests in the flagship Android phone instead of midrange, will that actually improve 5-year longevity vs. just the camera quality, etc.? Or what other Android phones are known for their longevity and build quality?
The obvious answer here would be to switch to Apple, but having been on Android for so long, he doesn't like how iOS functions. Which I get, since I don't understand how to use his phone either.
I switched from iOS to Android a while ago and my experience has been that "midrange" definitely means something different in Android world than it does in iOS world, in terms of long-term functionality. Luckily this means they're also generally cheaper than midrange iOS devices. In general I expect to spend ~$250-300 on a refurbished Android phone every 3-3.5 years. (I've had a Pixel 2, then a Pixel 4a, and now a Galaxy S22, just because I like that size. I love the physical characteristics of my current phone but I do miss the Google camera.)
Basically my feeling is that overall I'm probably spending no more, and possibly a little less, than I would spend on iOS phones that I kept 18 months longer. Definitely a little more inconvenient, but like your husband I just can't get used to iOS again now that I've been on Android so long. (My wife is an iPhone user too—not sure what she's going to do once her 13 mini dies because the size is just so great.)
As far as build quality... the S22 was at least theoretically a step up in initial cost from the Pixel 4a, and it certainly feels more expensive, but to be honest I don't expect a big difference as far as how long it lasts, since so much of what makes a phone feel "broken" is the boot-loop-type stuff you're describing. (For the charging port, in addition to the lint thing mentioned above, it's worth trying basically as many USB-C cables as you can get your hands on—I've noticed a big difference in how firmly some of them seat in the port across all my devices.)
posted by Polycarp at 9:43 AM on September 16 [1 favorite]
Basically my feeling is that overall I'm probably spending no more, and possibly a little less, than I would spend on iOS phones that I kept 18 months longer. Definitely a little more inconvenient, but like your husband I just can't get used to iOS again now that I've been on Android so long. (My wife is an iPhone user too—not sure what she's going to do once her 13 mini dies because the size is just so great.)
As far as build quality... the S22 was at least theoretically a step up in initial cost from the Pixel 4a, and it certainly feels more expensive, but to be honest I don't expect a big difference as far as how long it lasts, since so much of what makes a phone feel "broken" is the boot-loop-type stuff you're describing. (For the charging port, in addition to the lint thing mentioned above, it's worth trying basically as many USB-C cables as you can get your hands on—I've noticed a big difference in how firmly some of them seat in the port across all my devices.)
posted by Polycarp at 9:43 AM on September 16 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I recommend taking a needle or pin or something like that and digging around a bit
My go-to advice for this is to use the toothpick end of one of those disposable flossers. Way less likely to damage anything than a hard, sharp piece of metal. As a bonus, the flossers I use have a slightly curved end that helps with the “scooping” action.
posted by potent_cyprus at 9:49 AM on September 16 [8 favorites]
My go-to advice for this is to use the toothpick end of one of those disposable flossers. Way less likely to damage anything than a hard, sharp piece of metal. As a bonus, the flossers I use have a slightly curved end that helps with the “scooping” action.
posted by potent_cyprus at 9:49 AM on September 16 [8 favorites]
My husband and I still use the Pixel 4a phones that we purchased in 2021, and they don't have any issues whatsoever. I'm sure the newer ones are even nicer but we have no reason to upgrade yet. When we do the idea is we stick to the same line right now, since for us reliability has been strong. (And we have not been gentle to these phones either, neither physically nor on the software end.) It's very possible that the troublesome phone you folks are dealing with is a fluke. My sister for example had to replace her iPhone a couple of times now due to it dying on her, so it seems like it may always be a little hit or miss with tech.
posted by It Was Capitalism All Along at 9:57 AM on September 16 [2 favorites]
posted by It Was Capitalism All Along at 9:57 AM on September 16 [2 favorites]
I've had good luck with Pixel phones. Maybe try a less expensive model like the Pixel 8a?
posted by beyond_pink at 9:59 AM on September 16 [2 favorites]
posted by beyond_pink at 9:59 AM on September 16 [2 favorites]
Google Pixel is the least bad of a bad bunch. The trade off between "runs Android" and "works for many years" is a decision only he can make.
posted by caek at 10:09 AM on September 16
posted by caek at 10:09 AM on September 16
FYI, you can buy a kit to replace the charging port! Just did this for my phone and it is 100% fixed. The one I used was:
https://www.amazon.com/iParto-Charging-Replacement-SM-G986U1-Connector/dp/B0CHWGSRLS
posted by anyone_really at 10:39 AM on September 16
https://www.amazon.com/iParto-Charging-Replacement-SM-G986U1-Connector/dp/B0CHWGSRLS
posted by anyone_really at 10:39 AM on September 16
I've got a pixel 6, now just under 3 years old. It still works great, fingers crossed. However, Google has only guaranteed security updates for 5 years post release, up to 7 years for the new pixel 8 and 9 series. And they've only technically guaranteed OS updates for 3 years for the pixel 6. They might go longer, but that's the extent of the commitment. That might give you a sense of the lifespan they intend the phones to have.
posted by lookoutbelow at 11:06 AM on September 16 [2 favorites]
posted by lookoutbelow at 11:06 AM on September 16 [2 favorites]
nth the 'clean the charging port' suggestion, my son had to show me that when my Motorola developed issues.
I can recommend Motorola G phones, they are way less expensive than flagship phones and I've had good reliability from mine (would probably be using my G7 still if I hadn't cracked the screen). I don't know about new Motorola Razr phones - too expensive at the outset for my tastes (I can afford it but hate spending that kind of money; I would love it if they would renew the original Razr format though). Less expense at the outset equals less angst if I had to replace it, anyway.
As for security updates: why can't phone OSes be built with security as a 'service layer' so we can continue to get security updates even when the OS is deprecated?
posted by TimHare at 11:34 AM on September 16
I can recommend Motorola G phones, they are way less expensive than flagship phones and I've had good reliability from mine (would probably be using my G7 still if I hadn't cracked the screen). I don't know about new Motorola Razr phones - too expensive at the outset for my tastes (I can afford it but hate spending that kind of money; I would love it if they would renew the original Razr format though). Less expense at the outset equals less angst if I had to replace it, anyway.
As for security updates: why can't phone OSes be built with security as a 'service layer' so we can continue to get security updates even when the OS is deprecated?
posted by TimHare at 11:34 AM on September 16
Adding to the crowd about cleaning the charging port. I've had to do that on my own 4a when I had a similar issue and I fixed it. Recommend a factory reset if you end up with more issues like the boot loop. I'm riding my 4a out as long as possible because it's been probably my favorite phone ever, but I also plan to likely stick with the Pixel line once it's gone.
posted by Teadog at 12:27 PM on September 16
posted by Teadog at 12:27 PM on September 16
My Samsung Galaxy S10 is still going strong past 5 years. Last year I used my old S6 while the S10 was in the shop and the eight year old phone was still very decent.
With Android it's the security upgrades that get you on old flagship phones and each time I switched it was because of that. (Plus of course the battery deteriorates after 3 years or so, but that's decently affordable.) Samsung recently switched to promising 7 years for S24 and up so that's how long they expect the phones to last with daily use.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 12:30 PM on September 16
With Android it's the security upgrades that get you on old flagship phones and each time I switched it was because of that. (Plus of course the battery deteriorates after 3 years or so, but that's decently affordable.) Samsung recently switched to promising 7 years for S24 and up so that's how long they expect the phones to last with daily use.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 12:30 PM on September 16
I have had good luck with every Pixel I've had, build-wise (2XL, 5, currently 8 pro). The only reason I've ever moved off any of them was because they went out of support, and I anticipate not needing to ditch my 8 Pro for a good long while (but eventually probably having to replace the battery). I do occasionally clean out the charging port as described, but otherwise I have never had a problem with any Pixel phone.
posted by pdb at 12:55 PM on September 16 [1 favorite]
posted by pdb at 12:55 PM on September 16 [1 favorite]
All my Android phones have been Samsungs, and my previous ones each lasted at least 5 years. I believe my first 2 were a Galaxy S4 and a Galaxy S7. I've now had a Galaxy A52 (upper mid tier rather than flagship) for a year and a half, and it's holding up quite well so far.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 3:25 PM on September 16
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 3:25 PM on September 16
I've been on Android since the beginning (RIP Palm), and after a few mid-range model disappointments*, I have stuck with flagship models. For me that has meant the Samsung Galaxy S series (S7, S10, S24), always the smallest one, and often last year's flagship for the discount.
The Galaxy S10 that I just replaced lasted 4-5 years just fine, except for the fact that a) I sat on it on a concrete sidewalk on like the third day of ownership (it sat my pocket differently and scooted out), and b) faceplanted it onto concrete while jogging, and in both instances cracked up the glass (rear and front respectively). I really like slim phones, but I learned my lesson and now put it in a (slim) case and add (thin) glass protection as soon as I get it.
Cleaning out the USB port with a plastic toothpick, of course! Great tip. (haha)
* e.g. after landing in Toronto, discovering that my phone doesn't work there! cheaper radio chips!
posted by intermod at 8:53 PM on September 16
The Galaxy S10 that I just replaced lasted 4-5 years just fine, except for the fact that a) I sat on it on a concrete sidewalk on like the third day of ownership (it sat my pocket differently and scooted out), and b) faceplanted it onto concrete while jogging, and in both instances cracked up the glass (rear and front respectively). I really like slim phones, but I learned my lesson and now put it in a (slim) case and add (thin) glass protection as soon as I get it.
Cleaning out the USB port with a plastic toothpick, of course! Great tip. (haha)
* e.g. after landing in Toronto, discovering that my phone doesn't work there! cheaper radio chips!
posted by intermod at 8:53 PM on September 16
Even if you think you cleaned the USB port, you probably didn't.
For what it's worth, if you're in the US on AT&T with a reasonably current unlimited plan, they'll effectively give you a Pixel 9 if you trade in an old Pixel, working or not, for the cost of sales tax and maybe a $36 upgrade fee. (The catch being that it's actually 36 month financing that they pay the payments on as long as you maintain an eligible plan)
posted by wierdo at 2:31 AM on September 17
For what it's worth, if you're in the US on AT&T with a reasonably current unlimited plan, they'll effectively give you a Pixel 9 if you trade in an old Pixel, working or not, for the cost of sales tax and maybe a $36 upgrade fee. (The catch being that it's actually 36 month financing that they pay the payments on as long as you maintain an eligible plan)
posted by wierdo at 2:31 AM on September 17
My Motorola Moto G is ten+ years old and still works. I moved to a Samsung S10 for reasons in the fall of 2020 and it is still fine.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:14 AM on September 17
posted by SemiSalt at 5:14 AM on September 17
I had an ultra cheap Moto G that lasted from 2016 to 2023 -without any issues - I only replaced it after irreperably crushing the screen on a theme park ride. My partner has had an Honor View 20 that is still going strong since 2019.
posted by goo at 8:34 AM on September 17
posted by goo at 8:34 AM on September 17
Can you get Sony Xperias in your country? I've had many that have lasted reasonably well -- good battery durability, reliable ports -- but only the most recent iteration has had the benefit of Android changes that extend the timeframe for security patching.
TimHare: As for security updates: why can't phone OSes be built with security as a 'service layer' so we can continue to get security updates even when the OS is deprecated?
You can't add security after the fact. When you have software bugs, some of them conspire with the software architecture and platform capabilities to have security implications -- but underneath they're still bugs. These interactions can be very hard to predict. New software, different bugs, still the same problem that predicting the security implications are the wrong side of the cost/benefit ratio, especially for an old device that's finished generating revenue for its makers.
posted by k3ninho at 3:24 PM on September 17 [1 favorite]
TimHare: As for security updates: why can't phone OSes be built with security as a 'service layer' so we can continue to get security updates even when the OS is deprecated?
You can't add security after the fact. When you have software bugs, some of them conspire with the software architecture and platform capabilities to have security implications -- but underneath they're still bugs. These interactions can be very hard to predict. New software, different bugs, still the same problem that predicting the security implications are the wrong side of the cost/benefit ratio, especially for an old device that's finished generating revenue for its makers.
posted by k3ninho at 3:24 PM on September 17 [1 favorite]
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About having problems with the charger staying in the port: I recommend taking a needle or pin or something like that and digging around a bit to see if you can dislodge any lint. If he keeps his phone in his pocket, lint can build up and eventually make it impossible to get the connector seated properly. This happens to me every 6 months or so, but once I dig the lint out it's fine again. Of course, it may be an actual problem with the construction, but it doesn't hurt to check for lint.
posted by number9dream at 9:39 AM on September 16 [1 favorite]