The period of getting a brand new cellphone yearly is over – even the 2-year improve cycle is changing into much less widespread. Lately even entry-level telephones can final a number of years. And a few like the brand new Samsung Galaxy A16 5G can final a extremely very long time.
The cellphone boasts a wild 6 years of assist, that means it will likely be receiving OS updates and safety patches till October 2030. Let that sink in – a €250 cellphone will get longer assist than most flagships. This contains current Samsung telephones (e.g. the S23 collection is just getting 5 years of assist) and up to date Pixels (Pixel 7 collection can be getting 5 years). Even Apple, the as soon as undisputed champ in cellphone longevity, isn’t on the forefront – iOS 17 ended assist for the 6-year-old (on the time) iPhone X and eight.
Some makers, like Samsung and Google, have prolonged assist for his or her flagship collection to 7 years. However we didn’t anticipate to see entry-level fashions get longer than 5 years anytime quickly. For instance, the earlier mannequin, the Galaxy A15 5G, is slated for five years of assist. And that solely included 4 OS updates, 5 years is for the safety patches. With the A16, it’s 6 years for each OS updates and safety patches.
Samsung equips the Galaxy A16 5G with both a Dimensity 6300 or an Exynos 1330. The 1330 we’ve seen earlier than within the Galaxy A14 5G, for instance. It’s not a stellar chip, however an comprehensible decide given the value.
The cellphone additionally gained mud and water resistance, simply an IP54 ranking, however that’s nonetheless a lot better than the nothing that the A15 had. Additionally, it retains the microSD slot for expandable storage. Nonetheless, the three.5mm headphone jack is gone – instances, they’re a-changin’.
One other change this yr – no 4G mannequin. At the very least not but, however the A15 and A15 5G launched on the identical time, so there’s no purpose for the delay. In fact, 4G-only telephones will go away sooner or later, identical to 3G-only telephones did. However is that second now or would you’ve gotten most popular a less expensive 4G cellphone (additionally with 6 years of assist)?
Nicely, the 6 years of assist is definitely an effective way to cut back e-waste. However do you suppose {that a} low-level cellphone just like the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G will final till 2030 and never really feel painfully sluggish to make use of?
