Looking to replace and iPhone 11 Needs to be repairable Able to text people with WhatsApp or other third party apps Able to play music with a local mp3 player Headphone jack
ProdigalFrog 29 points a month ago
This BIFL community does not require that something literally last forever, just that it be more durable and lasting than other objects in the same category.
HerbGrower 9 points a month ago
My fairphone was 5 years old when I bought it second hand, see no reason it can't last more than 0-2 more years.
kata1yst 10 points a month ago
The main question is when does it stop getting security updates. Obviously if you're using a custom ROM that concern is lessened.
erebion 2 points a month ago
But not much. If the SoC manufacturer no longer provides firmware updates for the hardware, your custom ROM will not help.
Bluetooth can be turned off, but for security issues in the modem, welll... Not if you want to use it as a phone.
HerbGrower 1 point a month ago
My last android was abandoned by it'd manufacturer by the time I walked out the shop. I'll just go without updates if I have to.
HerbGrower 8 points a month ago
Since finding out about over ear headphones I have been less bothered with wireless. They are far more secure, even cycling around not once had them fall off.
misk 8 points a month ago
Unless you find a phone with an upgradable modem there is no „buy it for life” one. We’re now at 4th/5th gen networks and many places switched off everything older to reclaim wireless spectrum. LTE and 5G will be replaced too eventually.
Canuck 8 points a month ago
Librem 5 has an upgradable modem, originally came out with 4G and people have gotten 5G working. WiFi/BT can be upgraded the same way, like a Nintendo Switch cartridge. Can use Waydroid to download WhatsApp, has a headphone jack, plays music, replaceable battery, spare screens for sale in case it ever breaks. Fairly repairable, but not to the level Fairphone is with all their easy, modular pieces.
misk 5 points a month ago
This is cool as hell, thank you for sharing. I’d still be wary of any company promising perpetual support because the true test will be if in a few years down the line there’s a 6G modem you can replace old one with. It’s very hard to have some sort of universal computing device that would be supported forever because eventually there’s no one supplying parts or new ones are not compatible.
Canuck 2 points a month ago
Wireless chips use a standard M.2 interface, same as SSDs, it would be weird if companies didn't support this in the future. 4G - > 5G I think was already proof enough that it can be done.
The operating system is open source, so anyone and their AI agent can add support in the software/firmware.
misk 2 points a month ago
M2 is standard now but there were many before it and there will be many after it. Vibe coding drivers for modems might not be a viable strategy either. Modems are extremely proprietary things that are subject to boatloads of regulations so it’s a bit of a miracle they are running on relatively open systems now.
Eat_Your_Paisley 7 points a month ago
IMO a modern phones usefulness is based in software not hardware. I'd find a phone that easily unlock and can run a ROM you like. I like Apple stuff but I think you're going to have to switch platforms to make this work.
Swedneck 2 points a month ago
exactly. I've had a pixel 6 for a couple years now and there just isn't any significant reason to get a new phone, everything runs smoothly and new phones don't have any particularly useful improvements beyond, like, screen brightness and refresh rate (and even then 60hz is fucking fine)..
unlock the bootloader, install lineage with microg, install kernelSU; bam basically the best smartphone experience you can have until the market gets regulated and stops being ass.
Luffy879 2 points a month ago
A normal phone lasts about 7 years (pixel and iPhone update life)
Generally after that its not supported, even tho you could use the phone in an insecure state, but at that point I don't see why. Phones are simply not that fragile, and if you let it fall in salt water you have to change the whole phone probably.
Same problem with fairphone: They have replaceable parts, but even day 1 you can't say it would be secure in any way, and about 3 years in they just stop supporting it software side.
Even framework is only this good because they only have to manage the firmware and not the Linux install, former of which is only relevant to high security and not the average user
buyitforlife
@slrpnk.net
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A place to share practical, durable and quality made products that are made to last, with an emphasis on upcycled and sustainable products!
Guidelines:
Things that are well-made and durable (even if they won't last a lifetime) are A-Okay!
Unlike that other BIFL place, Home-made and DIY items are encouraged here, as long as some form of instruction is included in the body of the post.
Videos links are not allowed as post titles, but you may use them in a text post.
A limited amount of self-promotion is accepted, IF the item you are selling aligns with this criteria:
- The item must be made with sustainable or recycled materials.
- If electronic in some way, the item must be open-source.
- The item must be user-serviceable (if applicable).
- You cannot be a large corporation.
- The post must be clearly marked with a [Self Promotion] tag in your title.
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buyitforlife
@slrpnk.net
9119
188
488
A place to share practical, durable and quality made products that are made to last, with an emphasis on upcycled and sustainable products!
Guidelines:
Things that are well-made and durable (even if they won't last a lifetime) are A-Okay!
Unlike that other BIFL place, Home-made and DIY items are encouraged here, as long as some form of instruction is included in the body of the post.
Videos links are not allowed as post titles, but you may use them in a text post.
A limited amount of self-promotion is accepted, IF the item you are selling aligns with this criteria:
- The item must be made with sustainable or recycled materials.
- If electronic in some way, the item must be open-source.
- The item must be user-serviceable (if applicable).
- You cannot be a large corporation.
- The post must be clearly marked with a [Self Promotion] tag in your title.
go to feed...
AFAIK the fairphone is the only phone on the market that is explicitly designed to be user repairable. It doesn't have a headphone Jack, though.
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