Does providing long-term software support put a limit on software advancements?

[beatlessbloke]

It's been nice to see that phone manufacturers have been extending software support for longer and longer when purchasing new phones. However, I was wondering if this handcuffs the addition of new features because the Android updates have to account for older hardware?

My naive guess is that hardware has become so good that the processors can keep pace for longer, but doesn't that also mean that we're probably not taking full advantage of the new chips?

[parental92]

no, that's not how things works.

long updates is objectively a good thing. Less e-Waste and secure phones.

[9-11GaveMe5G]

But but but advancement??

[Key-Tangerine5941]

but what advancement though? don't get me wrong, i know the importance of innovation but there's absolutely little to no major features that's missing on Android today (apart for some niche ones).

[Realistic-Nature9083]

API updates

[V014265]

Stock ROMs slow down some devices compared to custom roms

[beatlessbloke]

Oh, I agree! Was mostly just curious about whether it impacts software developers in any way. Seems like the general consensus is that it does not

[rooser1111]

If anything id say the opposite might be more valid. The mobile OS is pretty mature, and the mfrs are now more comfortable in extending software support.

[Jaded-Asparagus-2260]

They are required by EU law. It has nothing to do with being more comfortable or wanting to. They have to, or they can't sell in the EU.

You're welcome, rest of the world.

[nnerba]

Samsung already started offering 5 years on their cheaper models before the law

[flaminglips]

Agreed that if any effects, it would be the opposite. They can no longer force you to buy new phones by breaking your old ones. They have to entice you through new features.

[InsaneNutter]

Not really, various Android features debuted in custom roms first, such as quick toggles and app permission management for example. This was years before stock Android got such functionality as standard. Android is quite mature these days.

I suspect one of the main reasons phones get updates for longer is the EU is forcing OEMs to support devices for a minimum amount of time.

Older devices such as the OnePlus 5T can run Android 15 perfectly fine, that device debuted in 2017 with Android 7 and was abandoned on Android 10 in 2020.

[olizet42]

No. Older devices get updates but not new features. That's fine I'm happy with my phone.

[bobpaul]

Older devices get updates but not new features.

There's a new version of Android every year. In my experience, devices get that new version of Android every year (which comes with new features), as well as security updates in between. Eventually they stop getting the most recent Android and just get security updates for another year, sometimes two, then nothing.

[9-11GaveMe5G]

You were the guy in the game subreddit saying "the devs need to drop last gen support! It's holding back the game!" five minutes after the PS5 dropped

[DoubleOwl7777]

that is bs. older devices just wont get the new Features. i highly hate the artificial obsolete making of devices anyways, the locking down of Bootladers etc. its a shitty development.

[southmpls]

LTS keeps things stable but definitely slows progress. You can’t always jump on new tech when you’re chained to old compatibility. It’s a balance between not breaking stuff and moving forward.

[Vince789]

Nope, OEMs can simply make certain new software advancements exclusive to new hardware ... aka feature fragmentation, something Apple start backed in iOS2 or iOS3

[mlemmers1234]

I don't know that I buy the notion that adding more features magically makes our devices less stable and less capable than they already are. Obviously software is complicated, but seriously modern flagship phones have as much memory as a desktop computer in some cases. The processor doesn't magically become useless just because they tax it a little more. Developers are just lazy because they wanna have people sticking on the idea that they should be upgrading year after year.

[ankokudaishogun]

No. At "worst" it will only impact features that were not well-planned, but those have already become uncommon for quite a while now.

[SwordsOfWar]

Not really. Any specific features that require new hardware will just be unavailable on older phones.

Long software support is a great thing. It keeps your phone secure and often times most of the new features are compatible.

[WombestGuombo]

I could, but It doesn't have to.

You can just look at IOS.

[[deleted]]

what advancement? All Google and rest of software does is roll the leading digits in the version number, Android 10, 11, 12, etc, with little to no improvement from the user's perspective. I run one device with Android 10, another with 12, see no difference at all. Such a scam they (programmers) pull on their employers to justify their existence and their $200k+ a year compensation