It may sound silly, but when you’re looking for a new mobile to buy, you find a lot of options, and that’s precisely a problem: models with better cameras but less battery life, others with large screens but more modest cameras… It’s quite an odyssey to find the perfect modelbut for me, there is one aspect that I appreciate more than the rest and that does not appear in the technical sheets.
This aspect is simply durability. But how do you identify a durable phone? Well dear reader, There are several sections we need to watch. I will tell you everything I look at before buying a new device.
A mobile is durable when the manufacturer gives it a long life in the form of updates
Yes, it will seem a little obvious, but updates are one of my most intense obsessions. When a mobile has a long support, it ensures a much longer lifespan. Software updates change your entire device: add functions, features, improve aspects such as photography, performance and battery consumption.
In short, they are necessary, and today more than ever since the terminals can arrive on the market with some defects of Software. For example, my beloved Pocophone F1 launched with touchscreen issues. Fortunately, the business continued to operate for months. Moreover, I also appreciate the manufacturer who communicates directly with usersas happened when POCO was born.
This model lasted me four years, and it continues to work quite well today. The updates he received have improved the performance a lot, yes he should change his update policy as the mobile is able to run Android 13 without breaking a sweat and has been discontinued since Android 10. It is understood that a brand with many models cannot provide too extensive supporteven if Samsung does things very well.
The price of mobile phones is only increasing, and this is a more than obvious fact for demand a better level of post-launch support from manufacturers. If we pay hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars for a mobile, we deserve decent upgrades.
As an Android lover it is impossible for me to switch to the competition, although in this sense it would be the best option (I almost fell several times) since Apple phones have been updated since many years. Although Google has partially solved the fragmentation problem, I request not only Android base but also manufacturer layer updates, or just security patches that prevent me from infecting my device. A bad example is the recent Nothing, your Phone (1) doesn’t have Android 13 in stable yet, only in beta.
But not just live updates: balance is key
When we were talking about a durable mobile phone, we were also referring to other sections and features. I don’t want the most powerful phone for browsing, posting on social media or watching videos, but an efficient processor and memories. Therefore, I wouldn’t spend more money to have the latest Snapdragon or carry 18GB of RAM in my pocket, because I already know how much RAM I need.
To people who ask me for advice, I always offer this: buy a mobile powerful enough to last you a few years without slowing down, but it is not necessary to choose the top one. The balance of all characteristics is essential, without necessarily highlighting any of them.
What is the third key? After commenting on upgrades and power sections, the third most important section for me is the drums. Today’s lithium-ion batteries are prepared to withstand long sessions of use, but over time they degrade, causing our device to stick to the outlet all day.
In this sense, I try that the mobiles I buy are easily removable. I’m not a handyman at all, but at two years old, When the mobile is out of warranty period, it is good to add a new battery. This is how I did with the previously mentioned POCO and other mobiles before it. With a little care, you “first” mobile after two years by spending very little.
Author: iFixit
It is true that it is difficult to select a model that can be opened without damaging it. Perhaps, with the measures proposed by the European Union, we will soon see mobile phones with removable batteries. It would be a success. Likewise, this body could force manufacturers to extend support and updates for up to five years. These laws would formalize the two articles we mentioned, making it easier to find a new motive, at least for me.
At any rate, I recommend that you follow these tips if you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars every two years. Fortunately, smartphones last longer because we are in an era where there are no truly revolutionary innovations, beyond folding.
The improvements of recent times are slowed down, almost all mid-range models are already suitable for the general public. No cameras, not the best processor, you know what you need to look at to recoup your expenses on a new phone.
