GoKawiilRyan Haines / Android Authority
Most people are no longer upgrading their Android phones every two years. It’s now the norm for consumers to replace their devices every three or four years. It also doesn’t hurt that carriers have embraced 36-month or even 48-month contracts.
As such, I totally understand if you’re buying a phone with the intention of keeping it for three or more years. But before you put your money down or sign that contract, I’ve got some tips to keep in mind if you want to buy a phone that will last for years and years.
What's the best tip if you're buying a phone to keep for a long time? 133 votes Make sure it has a long update policy 50 % Get a phone that's rated for many charging cycles 13 % Buy a phone with a big battery 11 % Get the model with more storage (or microSD) 2 % Make sure it has good performance 9 % Get the phone with great durability 5 % Make sure it's repairable 8 % Other (leave a comment) 3 %
1. Look for a long update policy
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
My first tip when buying a smartphone for the long haul is to ensure it has a long update policy. This means that the phone will receive software upgrades for many years to come, bringing new features and keeping the device secure.
Google, Samsung, and HONOR’s top-end phones all offer seven years of OS and security upgrades, making these the best performers in this regard. Meanwhile, high-end phones from the likes of Xiaomi and OnePlus often come with four major OS upgrades and six years of security patches. On the other end of the spectrum, cheap Motorola phones usually only get two OS updates and three years of security patches.
In other words, if you plan to keep a cheap Motorola phone for five years, it will stop receiving updates just after the midway point. This means your device won’t be protected against newfound vulnerabilities. The lack of Android OS upgrades after two years also means you won’t receive many new features down the line.
2. Get a phone with great long-term battery health
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