Old Smartphones

[ng4ever]

Like any brand. If they are a security risk when ? Like for example are they if you use them like a ultra small tablet just at home?

 

[HarborFront]

Example.

Previously, Samsung supports old phones for 3 yrs of OS updates and 4 yrs of security updates
For the latest phones, Samsung supports 4 yrs of OS updates and 5 yrs of security updates

And one more thing. Your old phone may not work with the latest features for these features likely to take advantage of the new CPU

 

[Zero Knowledge]

The only way you can be secure with old Android phones is by downloading APKs from official website/source and blocking everything Google/Samsung at the network level so it can't update/beacon out to the mothership .

New phones are a different matter, you can block Google/Samsung services/apps, but you have to unblock to receive monthly roll up security/version updates so your vulnerable then .

 

[Ink]

Simple answer: Yes

Long answer: Security vulnerabilities, hardware exploits, out-of-date/abandoned apps, unsupported versions. Lack of hardware security compared to newer phone hardware by Apple and Google.

 

[oldschool]

If they are a security risk when ? Like for example are they if you use them like a ultra small tablet just at home?

I don't see them as a security risk when used exclusively from home. I have an old iPad Air, which I sometimes use if my laptop is otherwise occupied. A very rare event in my case.

 

[jerzy601]

When I buy a new smartphone, I turn off the old one and never go back to it.
i am currently using samsung a52s5g
how satisfied I am.

 

[TairikuOkami]

This can not be a serious question considering, that people replace their smartphones every 6 months to 2 years (5 years tops), since it is literally for free as a part of subscription.

​

 

[roger_m]

This can not be a serious question considering, that people replace their smartphones every 6 months to 2 years (5 years tops), since it is literally for free as a part of subscription.

​

I don't have a subscription, I just buy credit monthly as it's much cheaper.

 

[oldschool]

This can not be a serious question considering, that people replace their smartphones every 6 months to 2 years (5 years tops),...

​

I'm not certain that's correct. Mine is from 2016 or '17. No plans to get a new one.

since it is literally for free as a part of subscription.

Those days are over, my friend. Here's a current offer with our carrier, which is Verizon.

Certified Pre-Owned Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Smartphone | Verizon

Meet the Certified Pre-Owned Samsung Galaxy S22+ smartphone, complete with 5G capability and Samsung's fastest-ever processing power. Learn more and shop the Galaxy S22+ today with Verizon.

www.verizon.com

 

[Andrezj]

not all smartphones
apple is still providing security updates for 15 year old iphones that include firmware updates

 

[roger_m]

apple is still providing security updates for 15 year old iphones that include firmware updates

They aren't. The original iPhone is just over 15 years old and the second iPhone model, the iPhone 3g is nearly 15 years old. They both received their final firmware updates in 2010.

iPhone (1st generation) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

iPhone OS 3.1.3 was the last version of iPhone OS (now iOS) to be released for this phone in February 2010

iPhone 3G - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

On November 22, 2010, the iPhone 3G received the iOS 4.2 software update (as iOS 4.2.1)

 

[Andrezj]

They aren't. The original iPhone is just over 15 years old and the second iPhone model, the iPhone 3g is nearly 15 years old. They both received their final firmware updates in 2010.

iPhone (1st generation) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

iPhone 3G - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

apologies, iphone 5 @ 10 years

"Apple has released software updates for its older iPhone and MacBook models – some as old and “obsolete” as the iPhone 5s, which launched 10 years ago in September 2013."

apple just made these security updates

Still Using An iPhone 5s? Apple Just Dropped A Security Update For It

This 10-year-old iPhone just got an update.

screenrant.com

 

[roger_m]

apologies, iphone 5 @ 10 years

"Apple has released software updates for its older iPhone and MacBook models – some as old and “obsolete” as the iPhone 5s, which launched 10 years ago in September 2013."
[/URL]

That is impressive and it's a shame that support for Android phones isn't anywhere near as good. But I'm quite happy using a 6 year old Android phone and tablet. On the other hand, support for Macs is pretty terrible, considering that you can install current Windows versions on quite old hardware.

 

[HarborFront]

Old phone is a fire risk

 

[TairikuOkami]

Old phone is a fire risk

Suddenly I am happy that I am using only MIL-STD-810 certified phones. I gave my old one to mom, but I do not think that even military uses it in such harsh conditions.

 

[HarborFront]

Suddenly I am happy that I am using only MIL-STD-810 certified phones. I gave my old one to mom, but I do not think that even military uses it in such harsh conditions.

So you pass the fire risk to your mom?

 

[TairikuOkami]

So you pass the fire risk to your mom?

It is designed to withstand temperatures up to 71C (160F), I doubt there is any chance of overheating, besides they said 5 years is the safe limit, I replace phone every 2 years, so 4 years for her.

 

[LDogg]

Genuinely surprised this is a question.

yes
yes
yes

Opening yourself to a whole load of trouble and risks associated with old smartphones. Just buy a cheap new smartphone, the solution to the problem.

~LDogg

 

[oldschool]

i am currently using samsung a52s5g
how satisfied I am.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

 

[Moonhorse]

My oneplus 5t broke so i have this old phone from 2018, latest security update is from october 2020 and its running fine for me. Of course i plan to upgrade in year or two ( not in rush)