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Question

Which Smart Phones Can Be Updated - Or All Are Defunct After

by Dec 17, 2015 11:28PM PST

So I'm looking at different phones like older Notes and Samsung 3s. I am afraid I won't be able to update Apps and get messages that the browser doesn't support the App etc. . . I amusing an old SGH T369, (even tried to hook up to a computer with the dial up feature! lol - didn't work. - T959V and a Note I717. the Note didn't have issues with defunctiveness, but I killed it. Now I a paranoid of how long an older phone will last before it becomes obsolete! Why can't they make them. . . LAST! and be upgradable! right. . .

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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Answer
It's always going to involve trial and error
by Dec 18, 2015 7:07AM PST

There's simply no good way to be able to predict compatibility/longevity of apps/OS/devices. Sorry. We unfortunately have to continue to open our wallets.

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Answer
So far that would be the ...
by Forum moderator Dec 18, 2015 7:14AM PST

iPhones and Google's own Nexus models. Both Google and Apple did a good job of keeping the OS up to date on older models. Eventually they have to leave the older ones behind.

What is this dial up feature? I haven't seen that for over 15 years.

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re: iPhones, Nexus and Dial Up
by Pennyspen Dec 19, 2015 11:28AM PST

Thanks for the info on the two phones you mentioned. I still am not sure what I will do but just want to have options. I know this time of year is probably a good time for a deal or two.
Yeah, "what is this Dial-up feature?" Never got my old Nokia Booklet 3G to respond to the ol Samsung phone, so. . .. I don't know! It would have brought back memories if I heard the dial up tone with it like from landlines. Silly

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Answer
Planned Obsolescence
by Forum moderator Dec 18, 2015 7:21AM PST

That is exactly why phones become unable to be updated in the long run. The manufacturers prefer that you buy a new model every few years or so. That is why it is cheaper to buy most, new appliances rather than fixing the older models.

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Why you write that?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 18, 2015 8:26AM PST

My buddy with an iPhone 3 is current and that came out years ago. I have this Nexus 7 Gen 1 and it has the latest Google issued Android OS.

Maybe they only need to look at models closer to the source of the OS?

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Might be a different model
by Pepe7 Dec 18, 2015 2:03PM PST

iOS 9 is not supported on the iPhone 3G.

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You're right.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 18, 2015 2:19PM PST

While it's an old 2009 phone, he's not replacing it until it drops dead. Unlike some folk he had no trouble replacing the battery every other year.

http://iossupportmatrix.com/ seems to note the 4S is the one with the latest iOS but that's not a requirement for most folk. That is a 2011 model phone.

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