Dishonest iOS/Android OS update chart floating around

[Kaido]

So this chart is exploding and getting posted to all the apple sites, reddit, everywhere:

http://www.fidlee.com/android-support-vs-ios-support/

I wrote a response on reddit about this here:

http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/...comes_to_supporting_older_devices_ios/cdt03h4

It is really amazing how uninformed most people are about how android gets updated (and i would lump some android users with this who buy into this hooey too, not just apple users).

Also, i much prefer how google DOESN'T tie critical app updates to the OS version. For Apple? You'll get stuck with old versions of major Apple apps once the update runs out. That sucks.

Thanks for posting your response. I'm not super familiar with Android's topography, so that helps! I think you hit a nerve on Pysta I was surprised that CyanogenMod even had Google Play Store support in the past. I still don't have a clear idea of how Android's support & updates work though. I understand iOS: they release new versions & new point updates and then you update your apps. Done. Older phones stop getting updates after a few generations. That's pretty clear to me, but I'm still confused about the overall Android update scheme.

 

[xodusgenesis]

Why would I buy a new phone every year for $300-400 when I can just buy one for $600-700 that will be well supported for at least two years if not longer? I don't get the rush to constantly upgrade smartphones especially if you're perfectly happy with the one you have. I had 2.5 year old 4s that I gave to my sister since she needed a smartphone and that is still going strong. I don't think she'll need another phone for at least 1-1.5 years. The only devices that have that kind of longevity in the Android world are the Nexus line. Samsung releases a new phone every month that they need to stop support for their older phones so they can sell more devices.

 

[openwheel]

iPhone 4S has been outdated for a long time nowwithout LTE support.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Why would I buy a new phone every year for $300-400 when I can just buy one for $600-700 that will be well supported for at least two years if not longer? I don't get the rush to constantly upgrade smartphones especially if you're perfectly happy with the one you have. I had 2.5 year old 4s that I gave to my sister since she needed a smartphone and that is still going strong. I don't think she'll need another phone for at least 1-1.5 years. The only devices that have that kind of longevity in the Android world are the Nexus line. Samsung releases a new phone every month that they need to stop support for their older phones so they can sell more devices.

It doesn't matter what phone maker you get, your phone will sorely be outdated after 2 years. Look at your iPhone 4S - tiny 3.5" screen, and no LTE.

Why would you buy a new phone for $350-400 every year when you can get a $600-700 that will last 2+ years? Because the experience will just be better on a newer device.
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About buying devices: it doesn't really matter the cost of the devices if you keep your devices in good shape. Once you're onboard with a device maker (Apple, Google + its partners, Samsung, etc.) you can easily stay current by just selling your phone used after a year and getting the latest. Apple has better resale value so you get more for old hardware to pay for an upgrade. Samsung/Google phones have OK resale value after a year (less so after two), so if you get a new device every year, you can easily get a few hundred for your old device. Frankly, I see no reason not getting a new device every year when you can flip your old phone and upgrade to the latest for $100-200 each jump.

 

[ThisIsChrisKim]

Why would I buy a new phone every year for $300-400 when I can just buy one for $600-700 that will be well supported for at least two years if not longer? I don't get the rush to constantly upgrade smartphones especially if you're perfectly happy with the one you have. I had 2.5 year old 4s that I gave to my sister since she needed a smartphone and that is still going strong. I don't think she'll need another phone for at least 1-1.5 years. The only devices that have that kind of longevity in the Android world are the Nexus line. Samsung releases a new phone every month that they need to stop support for their older phones so they can sell more devices.

For those of us that upgrade every year, the screen quality improvements are pretty darn nice. The faster processors and improved cameras are nice, too. The faster speeds in networking and enhanced antennas are also a big plus. But mostly, better battery and improved efficiency of the platform are the biggest reasons. Software updates only go so far. Smartphones aren't mature like the PC market where the yearly updates are incremental. Each phone upgrade is a fairly large improvement year over year.

Having moved to 5 phones over a 4 year period, I don't feel in any way it's a loss to buy a new one every year. And re-selling the previous phone when it still maintains a large portion of its value helps bring the cost of that upgrade down substantially. It also helps I have a relatively inexpensive phone plan ($30/mo.) so I have plenty of money to spend on devices every year.

 

[shortylickens]

iPhone 4S has been outdated for a long time nowwithout LTE support.

tons of regions dont even have 4g coverage yet.

 

[xodusgenesis]

You guys always seem to think that what you "want/need" are the same as the broader consumer market. Most people don't always notice the incremental upgrades to speed/screen quality. Most of the people who buy phones buy that particular phone because of word of mouth, price, promotions, etc. I don't think they could tell you what SoC is inside or what the display quality is. A lot of people just want something that works without tinkering around endlessly. Also, most people don't upgrade unless they need to, like the phone is slowing down, broken, or there is a 'WOW' feature they need to have. In addition, why does everyone always complain about screen size? Where are you putting your phones? Like my pants will not easily fit a Note 3 or there is a big bulge if I can find a pair that does.

 

[shortylickens]

You guys always seem to think that what you "want/need" are the same as the broader consumer market. Most people don't always notice the incremental upgrades to speed/screen quality. Most of the people who buy phones buy that particular phone because of word of mouth, price, promotions, etc. I don't think they could tell you what SoC is inside or what the display quality is. A lot of people just want something that works without tinkering around endlessly. Also, most people don't upgrade unless they need to, like the phone is slowing down, broken, or there is a 'WOW' feature they need to have. In addition, why does everyone always complain about screen size? Where are you putting your phones? Like my pants will not easily fit a Note 3 or there is a big bulge if I can find a pair that does.

You must be new here.

 

[Zaap]

You guys always seem to think that what you "want/need" are the same as the broader consumer market. Most people don't always notice the incremental upgrades to speed/screen quality. Most of the people who buy phones buy that particular phone because of word of mouth, price, promotions, etc. I don't think they could tell you what SoC is inside or what the display quality is. A lot of people just want something that works without tinkering around endlessly. Also, most people don't upgrade unless they need to, like the phone is slowing down, broken, or there is a 'WOW' feature they need to have. In addition, why does everyone always complain about screen size? Where are you putting your phones? Like my pants will not easily fit a Note 3 or there is a big bulge if I can find a pair that does.

If you were 90% of consumers Apple would still.be selling you an iPhone 1 with no app store for $800, no other models.

I for one am glad when its not lowest common denom driving the tech industry. Otherwise a few megs of RAM would still be "all anyone needs".

 

[zerogear]

Meh, chart is mostly fanboy circlejerking to their platform of choice, because it makes them feel better about their choice if they undermine another platform. We're not all immune to this.

Just take it as it is and let it die.

Edit:

Though if you really want to vent your anger, I guess vent it at the person who created the chart:

https://twitter.com/krfraj/

 

[xodusgenesis]

Agree 100% with you zerogear. I don't get why people get so mad about Android v iOS and sometimes Windows Phone. Me buying something doesn't affect you or anyone else.