this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2025

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Google Keeps Making Smartphones Worse (jacobin.com)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by JairajDevadiga@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

199 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Google’s Android, the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, started life as open-source software. In its quest for ever-greater profits, the tech giant has been gradually eroding Android’s open-source nature over the last decade.

Originally published on The Lever, but that one asks you to sign up.

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[–] VicksVaporBBQrub@sh.itjust.works 43 points 2 months ago (6 children)

Can I get a rundown of the few non-flagship phonemakers that are currently out there? I have heard of The Nothing Phone. Are there more companies that put together Androids to operate within the US?

[–] apfelwoiSchoppen@lemmy.world 50 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Fairphone just released the Fairphone 6.

[–] Interstellar_1@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

~~Unfortunately for the EU only.~~

[–] Vanilla_PuddinFudge@infosec.pub 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

EU only

Ebay it is. Bands are what matter. If it picks up Tmobile, Tello and the like, who cares who's market it's for?

But really, for me, it's still Android. It's just a band-aid on the bigger problem of reliance on Google.

[–] kalpol@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 months ago

Well AT&T banned the (better) international models from their network a while back. They work fine. Just banned.

[–] apfelwoiSchoppen@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Not true, it can be bought in the US at Murena's website.

[–] Interstellar_1@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 2 months ago

Cool! Last tine I checked out wasn't there. Must have been added recently.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 31 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (4 children)

The big problem with anything not Google or Samsung is, as it's always been, software support. You get 2 or maybe 3 years of updates and then the device is trash. So you can save a buck on the short term but it will cost you more in the long run and you'll have shitty devices all the way along anyway.

You can buy a 2 year old Pixel for $2-300 and it will last you another 4-5 years (unless Google remotely nukes your battery).

[–] Gibibit@lemmy.world 13 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Just because it doesn't have latest Android doesn't mean it's trash. And Fairphone also aims for 7 years support just like your Pixel example.

[–] hikaru755@lemmy.world 10 points 2 months ago

It doesn't need to be the latest android version per se, but I wouldn't want to use a phone that's not getting security patches anymore

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 6 points 2 months ago

Not having security updates makes it effectively trash, as far as I'm concerned.

[–] paequ2@lemmy.today 6 points 2 months ago (3 children)

You get 2 or maybe 3 years of updates and then the device is trash.

Yeah, I've noticed this as well...

... which is why I was surprised when I read that Nothing Phone 3 will get 5 years of updates + 2 years of security updates.

https://www.androidauthority.com/nothing-phone-3-software-updates-3568533/

Nothing’s Co-Founder and Head of Marketing, Akis Evangelidis, has confirmed that the upcoming Nothing Phone 3 will ship with a “5+7” software update promise. ...likely means the phone will get five years of Android version updates and seven years of security patches...

Although, you can't install GrapheneOS on Nothing phones... so, 🤷

[–] anamethatisnt@sopuli.xyz 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

With the new sustainability laws in EU they have to offer 5 years of updates from the sale of their last unit.

The Ecodesign Regulation lays out minimum requirements for mobile phones, cordless phones and tablets to be sold on the EU market to ensure

>- greater resistance to drops, scratches, dust and water  
>- use of more durable batteries, capable of at least 800 charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of their initial capacity  
>- clear rules on disassembly and repair, requiring manufacturers to supply key spare parts within 5-10 working days, and for at least 7 years after the product model is no longer sold in the EU  
>- longer availability of operating system updates, at least 5 years from the date the last unit model is sold  
>- fair access for professional repairers to the software or firmware needed for repairs

https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/new-eu-rules-durable-energy-efficient-and-repairable-smartphones-and-tablets-start-applying-2025-06-20_en

[–] utopiah@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

clear rules on disassembly and repair, requiring manufacturers to supply key spare parts within 5-10 working days, and for at least 7 years after the product model is no longer sold in the EU

Wonder how if there is an equivalent that applies to eBike. Been waiting for my CowBoy belt since February now. Do not recommend. No more "designer" eBike now, I'll only buy bikes with the most standard parts.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah that's great news. Esp. considering it's an $800+ phone.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

isnt graphene mostly pixels only.

[–] noodlejetski@piefed.social 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

it's not "mostly", it's only available for several latest Pixel generations.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 months ago

It's not the "latest" Pixel generations, devices as old as the Pixel 4 receive extended support (although it's obviously not recommended) and that's mostly because Google does not support them. This will be greatly improved moving forward, since Google has promised much longer update cycles for new devices.

[–] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

All phones that are sold in the EU now have to have 5 years of updates after the phone is no longer sold.

Basically, all phones have 6+ years of updates now.

[+] Ulrich@feddit.org -9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You realize there's a whole rest of the world that's not the EU?

[–] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Oh my fucking god, really?!

You're so smart, that never occurred to me. I thought that there was only 27 countries in the world, and all of them were in one continent!

Yes, I do realise that, genius. I'm not from an EU country myself.

However, I engaged my brain cells and quickly realised that most phones that exist are sold in the EU, and therefore the OEM has to make and test these updates anyway. In virtually all cases they will then release these worldwide.

Like how the EU mandated USB-C and now it's worldwide. The EU has quietly become the market that sets international standards over the past 20 years.

I know it seems like I'm being mean in this comment, but fuck me it's the most Reddit comment ever. A pointless comment just begging to start a pointless argument. Nobody can be bothered with that trolling shit. Do better.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org -5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

the OEM has to make and test these updates anyway. In virtually all cases they will then release these worldwide

I wouldn't be so sure. There's a vested interest in NOT shipping them outside the EU. It's called planned obsolescence. Just looks at Macs and OCLP. It's so easy to keep older Macs updated that it's actually able to be done by some random developers in their free time (not to trivialize this effort, just to say that it would be extremely trivial for Apple as the developer of the OS and one of the most profitable companies in the world to do it). And yet Apple does not ship these updates to them. Why? Because they want you to buy new shit and they know not doing so will render them virtually useless in a short time.

I know it seems like I'm being mean in this comment

You are just being mean and extremely rude. It's completely unnecessary and I've done absolutely nothing to deserve such language. You are actively making this community shittier.

[–] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Be rude, someone is rude to you back. Boo hoo.

Trying to bait people into absolutely pointless arguments makes the community shittier.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org -3 points 2 months ago

I wasn't being rude. That was only you. And since you continue to do so, you can have this argument with yourself. Goodbye.

[–] No1@aussie.zone 3 points 2 months ago

anything not Google or Samsung is, as it’s always been, software support.

Motorola.has 5 years on most of its new phones nowadays

[–] Prox@lemmy.world 23 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Would Moto count? I've been rocking their basic-ass phones for years now. Way, way less bloatware than Samsung, etc. and only like $200 unlocked.

[–] xep@fedia.io 21 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I think Moto is actually Lenovo now?

[–] comador@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Yup. Motorola is Chinese Lenovo now sadly. Lenovo is absolute trash devices and support.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_Mobility

[–] dcooksta26@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I think Moto's are a pretty good budget friendly phone. Sure their update policy is lacking, but the Moto G Power or Moto G Stylus phones come decently equipped. Plus you can still get expandable storage and headphone jacks.

[–] Jarix@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Trying to find a 2025 moto g stylus currently. Recently rediscovered hired much I enjoy a headphone jack. Headset runs out of power? Plug in and continue. Also expandable memory wouldn't have lost me hours of recording that I won't ever get back because my phone got a little wet and shit the bed

[–] imetators@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 2 months ago

Been using Moto since Z1 and would say that their phones are fine. $200 for a phone that lasts 4 years is a decent deal.

[–] macaw_dean_settle@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

This is false. Lenovo has some of the highest marks for reliability, customer service, and upgradability; not to mention price.

[–] MysteriousSophon21@lemmy.world 18 points 2 months ago

Besides Nothing Phone, you've got Fairphone (sustainable/repairable), Sony (great cameras), Asus (gaming focused), Nokia (budget-friendly), OnePlus (speed/value), and Xiaomi (if you can import) all working to varying degreees in the US market - tho carrier compatibility can be trickly so always check bands before buying.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

i have oneplus12r this my first non-pixel phone, you might want to visit the oneplus sub to look for other peoples experience. if you are looking for good deal on phones, online stores like swappa is a good start. i like the battery life of it. midsize cost, if your looking for budget , you can go motorola series, i did consider it at first.

[–] dukatos@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 months ago

Motorola is full of bloatware. Can not recommend.

The hardware is fine, though.

[–] utopiah@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Daily driving the cmf with /e/OS from Murena for few months now, warmly recommended.