Google pushing for device longevity: will second-hand devices become cool?

What measures do tech companies take to make sure your smartphone won't end up as waste?

With smartphones becoming an integral part of many people's lives, we want them to work for as long as possible. However, despite being equipped with durable hardware, the main reason a device could stop working after a few years could be related to its software.

Let's look at the situation from the company's perspective. It becomes clear that giving a limited software warranty would push users to renew their devices more often, bringing in more revenue for the company.

Nevertheless, more tech companies are looking for ways to extend the life of their devices and earning users' trust. Let’s look at a few examples.

Smartphone software extension by Google

Google's latest smartphones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9, already come with seven years of software updates. Meanwhile, Google's earlier smartphone models were stuck with just three years of software updates and two years of security patches.

Now, the company is making changes to prolong the life of its older phones by extending the full software warranty to five years.

This change applies to the Google Pixel 6 and later models. The Pixel 6 was released in 2021 and will receive software updates until 2026.

This is possible due to Google's Longevity GFR (Google Requirements Freeze) program, which was first started in 2020.

The program focuses on extending software updates to Android smartphones.

It's been reported that chipmakers provide only a few years of warranty to chipset processors and related hardware. At the same time, Google requires device manufacturers to provide chipsets with software updates with every new Android version.

The Longevity GFR program holds off the requirements for new vendor software updates, allowing manufacturers to still issue the latest Android updates.

While manufacturers get an extended software update warranty, they still need to update the Linux kernel, or the main component in the Android operating system, every three years.

Could owning a second-hand smartphone be a trend?

Considering that a brand-new phone can cost up to a thousand dollars, not everyone wants or is willing to spend that kind of money on a new device.

According to Custom Market Insights, the used and refurbished smartphone market could reach almost 24 billion dollars by 2030, suggesting that more users are willing to choose a used but refurbished smartphone, especially considering the quality they receive for the price they pay.

Recently, Google Pixel started the Certified Refurbished Phone program, which offers its refurbished phones for cheaper. It's been reported that before they are brought back to "life," devices are inspected and repaired if needed, using only authentic parts.

The refurbished phones also include the latest software updates, a one-year warranty, and complete customer support. This way, users get a new phone experience at up to 40% off the original retail price.

To better understand this, let's look at a new Pixel 6 Pro, which costs $899. The same but refurbished model is now available for $539.

Having in mind that a smartphone has become almost an extension of ourselves that we keep nearby and use daily, we want it to work for as long as possible. Tech companies have also started to understand this and are providing changes to accommodate users in keeping their devices usable for longer.