Essential Insights
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Samsung and Google have pledged seven years of updates for their flagship phones, but durability and repairability remain significant concerns as older devices may become increasingly difficult to maintain.
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Testing a seven-year-old Samsung Galaxy S8 revealed that while it remains functional, performance is laggy, with noticeable delays and app compatibility issues due to its outdated Android 9 Pie.
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Battery life has deteriorated significantly, making it nearly impossible to get through a full day of use, and charging is slow, highlighting the challenges of long-term ownership with non-removable batteries.
- Despite its age, the Galaxy S8 still possesses appreciated features like a headphone jack and microSD support, but overall, the experience reinforces the need for modern phones to address durability and repairability for long-term use.
Will Your Phone Survive to See Seven Years of Updates? Insights from the Galaxy S8
In a groundbreaking announcement last year, Samsung and Google pledged seven years of updates for their flagship Android phones. This promises a longer-lasting, optimized experience. But the real question remains: Can your phone endure to reach that milestone? To explore this, I used the seven-year-old Samsung Galaxy S8 for a week.
First, durability plays a significant role in long-term phone use. The S8’s screen can easily crack or shatter, often leading owners to opt for new devices instead of costly repairs. Unfortunately, Samsung does not offer repair services for phones older than the Galaxy S20, which raises concerns about future support. Despite this, my S8 held up remarkably well overall. Aside from minor cosmetic issues, the phone’s structure remained intact.
Transitioning to the performance aspect, I experienced some expected delays while using the S8. After booting, it lagged noticeably, particularly when cycling through apps. Despite this, the general functionality improved after about 15 minutes of use. While some apps, like Slack, now require more recent Android versions and won’t work on the S8, others still function well, such as WhatsApp and various games.
Battery life proved less favorable. Initially manageable, the battery quickly drained during updates and app installations, indicating significant degradation over the years. Although a battery replacement could help, the non-removable design adds to the challenge of longevity.
The camera still performs adequately in daylight, thanks to features like multi-frame image processing. However, it struggles in low-light conditions, marking a noticeable decline compared to modern standards. Importantly, the S8 maintains some beloved features like a headphone jack and microSD card support—two elements missing in many contemporary smartphones.
Though the S8 posed challenges, advancements in newer devices could address some of these concerns. With promises of seven years of updates and improved repair options, Samsung and Google aim to set a new standard in smartphone longevity. Because of initiatives like Project Mainline, essential updates could occur without a complete OS overhaul.
For those considering whether to keep their phone long-term, the Galaxy S8 offers valuable insights. While it may not shine in every area after seven years, its overall performance remains decent for less demanding tasks. Nevertheless, modern phones equipped for longevity with user-replaceable batteries could represent the future. The upcoming generations, such as the Galaxy S26 or Pixel 11, may provide the ultimate solution for those looking to keep their devices for the long haul.
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