We’re likely just a couple of weeks away from the launch of Android 15, at least if we’re assuming new...

Article refrains from drawing conclusions, instead presenting the data. Android is doing better at moving users to newer versions, but the overwhelming majority of users don’t have the current Android OS version nor the previous version, combined.

  • SomeGuy69@lemmy.worldEnglish
    293·
    3 months ago

    I’m still on android 12 (galaxy S10 from 2019). Why replace an OLED premium phone that’s still lasting me all day with its battery with 6+ hours screen time and no scratches? And I don’t even use battery protection options. Only a few months ago I had to enable battery saving mode, which I didn’t use before at all.

    • NIB@lemmy.worldEnglish
      221·
      3 months ago

      If your phone has stopped getting security updates, then that is a big issue. Even if the phone is working fine. People are using their phones for banking, paying stuff, email, saving personal photos, etc. You dont want people hacking into your phone and an unpatched phone is an insecure phone.

      Which is why samsung/google(and apple before them), have started offering 7 years of OS support. Modern phone hardware, especially flagship tier one, can last for a long time. Other than the battery degrading, the rest of the phone is still powerful enough for everything.

      • SomeGuy69@lemmy.worldEnglish
        162·
        3 months ago

        Hey you guys are not wrong. I just can’t convince myself to buy a new 800 bucks phone for no real reason other than security updates. My ISP phone contract is just 5 bucks a month.

        • lud@lemm.eeEnglish
          11·
          3 months ago

          Buy a cheaper phone.

          There are loads of good cheaper new phones.

          You can also get great used deals if you want.

      • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.eeEnglish
        45·
        3 months ago

        I’ve never read of anyone having their phone hacked, I reckon it’s just an excuse to frighten you into buying a new phone.

        Think about it. The people most likely to have an old, unpatched phone are the ones least likely to have anything in their bank accounts lol 😂

    • henfredemars@infosec.pubOPEnglish
      171·
      3 months ago

      There is no reason. Android 12 is not that different from 15 IMHO because the number and depth of the changes has dropped off significantly in resent years. Android is a mature OS that does what most users want it to do.

    • smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.ukEnglish
      12·
      3 months ago

      As time goes on you’ll be exposed to more and more security vulnerabilities with no patches.

      Nothing wrong with running an old phone but you should unlock it and put Lineage OS on or similar.

      • SynopsisTantilize@lemm.eeEnglish
        16·
        3 months ago

        Yea fun thing about Samsung, they fucking hate you, they fucking hate me, their customers and anyone trying to get near their bootloader.

        -Sent from Galaxy S23U

        • smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.ukEnglish
          4·
          3 months ago

          This is tricky. Luckily mine works on custom ROMs so I’ve not had to fool safetynet for a while.

          Does it still trip if you install a custom ROM and relock the bootloader, without rooting? I know there used to be packages to hide you had root and keep safetynet

          • FuzzyRedPanda@lemm.eeEnglish
            1·
            3 months ago

            Unfortunately it still trips, because even though it’s a locked bootloader, it’s not a ROM that’s signed by Google, and therefore does not pass SafetyNet, unless you use things like Magisk Hide, Zygisk Next with Shamiko, and stuff like that, but for that you’d almost certainly need to root and unlock the bootloader again. It’s a cat and mouse game.

        • Dark_Dragon@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          1·
          3 months ago

          If you don’t install any random apks and are not of any big business or banking manager or defence. Then you are ok. Nobody wants to hack you.