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Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

theguardian.com

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Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#261
post #80

Why is it so hard to add a removeable back cover to have swappable battery? Seemingly battery replacement can still be done "in 5 minutes" but this still makes pop-out/on the road battery swapping unpractical. https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/nokia-g22

Only forced obsoleting by the company. No other reasons exist. I and tens of millions other people used removable back cover phones for years before the sealed phone became the norm. Edit: Can anyone explain why they think that this is wrong? I am genuinely interested. I really used user-removable battery phones for close to a decade. I found no issues.

You can’t think of another reason? Not maybe any of those mentioned in the thread?

And then you can’t think of reasons for the downvotes?

I see a pattern, maybe?

Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#262
post #247

Uniherz Titan is also a fully repairable phone (came out years ago). Also it's better because it has a physical keyboard :) Just IMO obviously :) Recently got spare parts for mine such as battery and new charger port circuit. The manufacturer posts Youtube videos online on how to DIY it. Totally amazing IMO.

Interesting brand - how's the OS customizations and security update velocity? Those small phones are awfully tempting...

I have a Jelly 2; the OS is mostly stock Android - a couple of minor tweaks to support particular hardware (e.g. the customisable button).

Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#263

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're comparing them because software support shouldn't be a problem, regardless of market segment. You can run fully up to date linux on 15 year old computers, but in moving to phones, they destroyed what we took for granted. This is a manufactured problem, and it's no coincidence that it lines the pockets of smartphone makers.

Support costs money, and it's part of the price. This moralizing is ridiculous.

That's my point - it doesn't cost money on PC. I don't need "support" from my motherboard vendor to install the latest linux.

Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#264
Cheap phones are becoming an interesting decent proposition.

I could get one of these, add that to my laptop and a full frame mirrorless camera I bought recently. I could buy all of them for less than my daughters new iPhone. A proper computer, a proper camera and a smartphone!

Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#265
post #16
post #3

This will be nice if and only if there is a way to install a custom android version. Otherwise it'll be bogged down with bloatware and will be useless as soon as security updates aren't available anymore. But if so, very nice :)

There's no bloatware since Nokia's Android is Android one. However, the bootloader is locked and their Android's EOF is abysmal which is crazy.

Android one isn't dead?

Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#266
post #239
post #218

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't forget AppleCare+ if you do. Not worrying about broken screens ($200/each replacement without vs $30 service fee, with $100 one time AppleCare fee for 2yrs) and getting replacement phones on the spot for other damage is really a huge anxiety relief and comes with more savings than the initial cost. That what helps turn a "phone a year" into 3yrs. Does Google offer something equivalent to AppleCare for Pixel pho…

Re the AppleCare+ point. If you are unlikely to break a screen more frequently than every 2 years on average, it's more economical to just not get the service. This is ignoring other benefits the AppleCare+ may provide.

I used to never break screens, but the newer larger phones crack, at least on the corners.

Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#267

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The positive (and there's plenty of criticism; search and read) point being made about iphone is that it has a longer support duration. This seems highly complementary to repairability -- both seem important to maximize useful life -- and thus an entirely fair point, no? I'm recently on my 4th Android smartphone in 12 years (Galaxy S, Moto G, Pixel 2, Pixel 7) and would be still on the Pixel 2 if not for lack of upda…

> The positive (and there's plenty of criticism; search and read) point being made about iphone is that it has a longer support duration Yup, and the OTA updates with Tesla are also better than you'd get on a car that's 1/10th of the price. Isn't it just a little bit over-entitled to bring up any iPhone in a discussion about budget phones ? Newsflash: the vast majority of the planet can't afford to drop $1000+ on a m…

Newsflash (just looked it up), an iphone se is $429, a used one is cheaper, and factoring in support duration, may be cheaper yet. A friend who would've been among the last people I'd expect to use an iphone blogged this https://announce.asheesh.org/2022/09/i-switched-to-iphone-fo...

I'm really embarrased by this (I've been a borderline Apple hater basically my whole life) but also acknowledge reality.

Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#268

Wow HN. I really interesting new product comes out, a really interesting turn in the right to repair debate, and a return of a famous brand. And instead of talking about that, there are a series of threads about how an iphone costing 5 times as much and is famously difficult to repair is a better phone than this. Get a grip! Can we not have a least one conversation without Apple fanbois wading in?

The positive (and there's plenty of criticism; search and read) point being made about iphone is that it has a longer support duration. This seems highly complementary to repairability -- both seem important to maximize useful life -- and thus an entirely fair point, no? I'm recently on my 4th Android smartphone in 12 years (Galaxy S, Moto G, Pixel 2, Pixel 7) and would be still on the Pixel 2 if not for lack of upda…

On the other hand I can still get modern versions of android with all the security updates for some ancient android phones, you just have to do a tiny bit of tinkering with unlocking the bootloader first. That's something you can't do with any iPhone.

Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#269
With this handset, does repairable == right to repair the operating system == supported jailbreaking?

I recently went though some frustration to root a Samsung handset - it required sorting through endless blog posts linking random executables from megaupload or google drive. Fragmented instructions on various forums; many incomplete or incorrect.

Which Android handsets best support rooting/jailbreaking by the vendor which provides a supported way to both unlock the bootloader and provide root access?

Re: Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

#270

> Security updates: 3 years of monthly security updates That is such a let-down! If Nokia is serious about sustainability, it needs to make it 5y+. I get it, it is not easy. But with the proliferation of malware and exploits, after 3y (since release, not purchase) this phone is nothing but a liability.

That just refers to the security updates that require a full firmware update. I think people get focussed on that because they’re used to the iPhone where that’s only way to fix security issues. On android, the majority of security issues are patched immediately and silently through the play store, so that continues pretty much for the life of the phone. In other words, updates are much less important on android than…

Here's the security bulletin for January: https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2023-01-01

How do I determine which, if any, of these is fixed via the Play store update mechanism?

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