![]() Software updates are guaranteed for only a finite amount of time, usually two years for Androids and about five years for iPhones. Parts, like cameras and screens, are impossible to upgrade à la carte. ![]() Most of the gadgets come tightly sealed up with glue to keep you out of them. These latest wares underscore how today’s smartphones aren’t made for longevity. And last month Samsung introduced an array of cellphones that fold like books. ![]() Also this week Google announced plans to show new Android phones in October. On Wednesday, Apple unveiled the iPhone 14, which bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor. Thinking of what such a device might be like is especially relevant now as phone season - that time of year when tech companies blitz us with new models - begins again. You could also download software updates from the phone’s maker indefinitely. Many of its components would be able to be upgraded - if you wanted a better camera, you could just swap out the old one for a newer, more powerful one. If a smartphone were designed to last a decade, it would probably be made so that we could simply open it up to replace a part like a depleted battery or a cracked screen. And Apple, Samsung and other handset makers unveil new models - along with big marketing campaigns - each year, encouraging us to upgrade.īut bear with me and fantasize for a moment. That’s because many smartphones are designed to be replaced every two or three years. It’s a question that most of us have not had the luxury of pondering. What would a smartphone look like if it could last for 10 years?
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