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Is it time to question the yearly release cycle for phones? (lemmy.zip)

submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip to c/technology@lemmy.world

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So recently I've been seeing the trend where Android OEMs such as Google, Samsung, etc. have been extending their software release times up to like five, six, and seven years after device release. Clearly, phone hardware has gotten to the point where it can support software for that long, and computers have been in that stage for a very long time. From what I can tell, the only OEM that does this currently might be Fairphone.

Edit: The battery is the thing that goes the fastest so manufacturers could just offer new batteries and that would solve a lot of the problem.

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[–] mkwt@lemmy.world 11 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Compare with the yearly release cycle on cars.

[–] LunchMoneyThief@links.hackliberty.org 9 points 3 days ago

People apparently use installment plans for phone purchases these days, along with a downstream used market, so it's actually a really apt analogy.

[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 8 points 4 days ago (2 children)

That is kind of my thought. Phone technology doesn't change drastically within two years and a car does not change drastically within two years.

[–] deegeese@sopuli.xyz 6 points 3 days ago

But people are constantly buying millions of both, so makes sense to have small yearly updates and major revisions every few years.

Which is basically how both phones and cars are developed now.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

Typically they'll do a major revamp or a clean sheet design of a model, so the 2005 Hoyota Civrolla is a completely new car. The 2006 Civrolla will be available in a few different paint colors and 2 different wheel options. The 2007 model has a different grille so it looks even more like it's smiling while wearing a retainer. The 2008 model has a different washer bottle assembly and the battery tray is now molded plastic instead of stamped steel. The 2008 model is available with a 2.7 liter engine in addition to the 3.6. 2009 they eliminate the base model trim so now they all have power mirrors and cruise control. The 2010 models with CD players can now play mp3s off the CD. 2011 they only sell the 6-speed manual with the 2.7 liter engine, the V6 is only available with an automatic. 2012 they do a major style update, same chassis and running gear, different bodywork and the interior shares more components with the Elamry.