After only 3 short years my Google Pixel 4A is EOL. It still works perfectly fine, but since our entire lives run through our phones I don’t feel safe trusting my bank accounts and so on to a phone without security updates. I feel like I wasn’t quite aware how short the supported time would be when i bought it.
So I gotta get a new one. I don’t really have a lot of requirements. I just need the basics: A camera, headphone jack, USB-C charging and F-Droid (so app side loading). I just watch some YouTube, use lemmy and messaging apps, 3fa, email and so on and if there is something to take a video of photo of I like doing that too. I don’t need NFC or high refresh rate or 3 cameras or wireless charging and I don’t play any phone games so pretty much any phone should work, right?
I was thinking of getting something a bit sustainable and long lasting so I looked at Fairphone but the Fairphone 4 is only supported until 2026 which is not really long and also it’s really expensive for just another 3 years. Looks like there will be a Fairphone 5 soonish? But since the 4 didn’t have a headphone jack the 5 probably won’t either?
So since it looks like a ~6 or 7 year lifespan is just not something that’s available I’ve been thinking why not go cheap? Thus I’ve considered getting the Samsung Galaxy A14 (non-5G). Are there any significant differences with the 5G version? The 5G version has good reviews as far as i can see. Feels a little bad to downgrade to a phone that cannot even record 1080p@60 and to go back to USB 2.0 and 15W charging but whatever.
So I’m open to suggestions, either on the longer lasting side or something cheap yet secure for a couple of years.
Changing your phone just because it doesn’t have security updates anymore is a bad idea. Not only those security issues are very likely to be almost impossible to encounter in real life, it will also create more e-waste we definitely don’t need.
As suggested, install a custom ROM if you’re worried, otherwise just enjoy your phone it will still work perfectly for 2+ years.
This is terrible advice for someone that has already voiced security concerns. Custom ROMs are literally the wild west when it comes to security. I have a pixel 6a and no complaints. You can still pick one up on the Google store HERE.
Im starting to think that this whole “security updates support” is just another layer of planned obsolescence. Perfectly running phones with hardware that works just fine and could surely easily support any future security update, becoming “obsolete” simply because the manufacturer does not release updates these “security updates” anymore.
I don’t feel safe trusting my bank accounts and so on to a phone without security updates
You’re more responsible than I am. I’m rocking a Pixel 4XL which Google cut loose last year. I mostly use Google apps, which are still updated, so I feel secure enough.
I’ve been on a Samsung A13 5G for about a year and a half. I switched to Samsung after I dropped my Pixel 5a one single time, and the phone totaled itself…
The A series is alright. My A13 isn’t too laggy or anything, and Samsung sends out monthly updates just like Google does. The only thing is I’m not sure how long Samsung supports each of their A devices.
Of course there are compromises that Samsung makes with their A series, since it’s a budget line. Like I think the A13 has a 720p screen iirc, which is kind of lame. So just be sure to check all the specs of whatever A series phones you’re considering.
But overall, I’ve been happy enough with Samsung, and would recommend them. I’m probably going to stick with their A series for my next phone.
Pixel 7a is really nice, and the 6a goes on sale pretty cheap if you can find it in stock
