Here's How Long Samsung Phones Last - SlashGear (2024)

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DoorShichar Mehrotra/February 20, 2023 at 12:13 PM EST

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Are you planning to buy a new Samsung smartphone and do you want to know how long it will last? Well, you're not alone. Because smartphone prices rise annually, it is wise to invest in a model with the latest features that will last for several years. In the past we have surveyed our readers to understand which brand they think they producethe most reliable Android smartphone, and 63.44% of respondents voted for Samsung, a testament to the reputation the company has managed to build over the years. At the time of writing, Samsung has the highest global market share for Android smartphones. However, there's another reason why people want to know how long their phone will last.

Although Samsung releases new smartphones every year, the differences between these models are starting to fade. If you look closely, for examplespecifications of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung's top phone for 2023, you'll notice they look similar to the ones inGalaxy S22Ultra, with minor changes to the camera and chipset.

The similarities increase with the regular Galaxy S23, which is basically the same smartphone as the Galaxy S22, albeit with an improved processor. This trend is also reflected in the company's mid-range smartphones, such as the Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A53. Therefore, without valuable updates, people want to keep their current smartphones longer, but how long will they really last?

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The idea of ​​how long a Samsung phone will last generally refers to the duration for which it maintains peak performance. As you review a phone's specs, you'll likely read about its processor, RAM, and storage. These components give you an idea of ​​the overall performance of the phone. However, these components also determine the lifespan of a phone. The performance of all hardware components in a smartphone, including the processor and memory, degrades over time. That does not matterif you get a Galaxy A53or S23; the components are subject to wear and tear with prolonged use.

The wear and tear is more visible on affordable phones due to less capable chips and less storage space. New app updates or operating system updates require more resources, increasing the load on aging hardware. Other factors that affect a phone's lifespan include usage patterns and environmental settings. An entry-level Samsung smartphone should easily last two years, while a flagship will last three to four years before showing signs of aging.

Another crucial part is your phone's battery. With regular use, the lithium-ion battery of Samsung Galaxy phones loses its maximum charging capacity, shortening the effective life of the battery. In general, Samsung phone batteries retain about 80% of their capacity over two years of useapproximately 500 charging cycles.

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Over the years, Samsung has improved the build quality of its smartphones. The lastGalaxy S23the series is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, making it more resistant to fall damage. Even mid-range Samsung phones like the Galaxy A53 come with Gorilla Glass 5. The last four generations of flagships, from the Galaxy S23 to the Galaxy S20, all feature IP68 water resistance, which adds to their overall sustainability.

Additionally, users can purchase third-party accessories that protect their smartphones from physical damage or reduce the degree of damage, including protective cases, screen protectors and camera lens protectors. Such accessories save you repair costs and extend the life of the phone. Samsung also offers smartphone insurance where users can pay a one-time or equivalent monthly fee in exchange for repair or replacement services if needed.

Gone are the days when accidental phone damage couldn't be repaired. It's easier than ever to fix a phone, whether it's screen damage, a broken back cover, or a broken camera lens. The cost of spare parts has also fallen. Moreover, Samsung Galaxy S20, S21 and S22 users can now do the sameorder a self-repair kiton the company's official website. You can even contact Samsung Support if you have any issues.

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Software updates play an essential role in a phone's life as they unlock new features, provide the best experience and improve your phone against online threats. While Samsung wasn't known for providing the most comprehensive software support, the company has changed its approach in recent years and committed to several years of the latest Android updates.

A few years ago, Samsung offered two years of software updates on its smartphones. But in 2020, the company promised to deliver three generations of Android updates for select Galaxy devices, such as the Note 20 series and the Galaxy Z Fold 2. The following yearSamsunghas expanded the number of security updates from three to four years for devices launched in 2019, including the Galaxy S10 series, Galaxy S21 series and some mid-range smartphones such as the Galaxy A51 5G and Galaxy A71 5G.

But in 2022, the company promised to releasefour generations of operating system upgradesand up to five years of security upgrades for select Galaxy models. The Galaxy devices eligible for four years of One UI upgrades (based on the latest Android version) include the Galaxy S21 (and newer Galaxy S series models),Galaxy Z Fold 3and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 (as well as newer Galaxy Z models). If you have a Galaxy S21 running Android 13, you will get two more major Android updates, while the latest Galaxy S23 will last another four years.

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It's not that Samsung doesn't offer security updates for older phones. According to a report published byTelephone ArenaSamsung provided monthly security updates for the 2019 Galaxy Note 10 and quarterly updates for the 2018 Galaxy S10. It's worth noting that a phone doesn't stop working if it doesn't get Android or security updates, at least for a few years. However, it is unsafe to use such a phone as it will no longer receive security updates.

In summary, the lifespan of your Samsung phone depends on its hardware, the way you use your smartphone, and the software updates released by the company. But what if we told you there are a few things you can do to extend its life even further? Firstly, always keep some of your phone's storage space empty as this helps your phone's flash drive maintain maximum read/write speed.Samsungalso recommend keeping your smartphone battery between 20% and 80% to maximize battery life and extend the life of your phone. Also avoid using your smartphone in environments where the temperature is too low or too high.