this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2025
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Google Keeps Making Smartphones Worse (jacobin.com)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by JairajDevadiga@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
19 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Google’s Android, the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, started life as open-source software. In its quest for ever-greater profits, the tech giant has been gradually eroding Android’s open-source nature over the last decade.

Originally published on The Lever, but that one asks you to sign up.

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[–] jjlinux@lemmy.ml 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

2 days ago I moved from GrapheneOS back to Stock Pixel in my 8 Pro, just to see what all the hype about the new android 16 in Pixel is about. Jesus, this is way worse than I remember. i tried it for 2 whole days, and that shit just won't allow me to have ANY control over my phone. It's fucking ridiculous. On Android 15 I was able to uninstall Google Drive, Meet, Youtube, and many other Google apps, this time around all it would allow was "disable". What's next, removing the ability to disable (which I don't trust anyway)?

Fast forward to today, I'm back on GOS, and my anxiety levels are down again. This shit is insane, and I honestly can't understand why anyone would put up with this crap.

[–] kilgore_trout@feddit.it 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Most users want those installed, anyway.

[–] Jarix@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

That's a really lousy excuse in support of enshittification.

How do you know most of users want that?

Even if most of them do, that still negatively impacts literally millions of users who don't want that.

Most is anywhere from 50.1% to 99.9%

So what are you actually saying? Because you aren't being very precise.

Most people want to engage in hetero sexuality, so everyone who didn't shouldn't get to?

That's the same logic you are using, I highly doubt you would agree that all non hetero relations should be discarded and given a giant middle finger. If you do feel that way JFC go touch grass or whatever

[–] VicksVaporBBQrub@sh.itjust.works 0 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Can I get a rundown of the few non-flagship phonemakers that are currently out there? I have heard of The Nothing Phone. Are there more companies that put together Androids to operate within the US?

[–] MysteriousSophon21@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

Besides Nothing Phone, you've got Fairphone (sustainable/repairable), Sony (great cameras), Asus (gaming focused), Nokia (budget-friendly), OnePlus (speed/value), and Xiaomi (if you can import) all working to varying degreees in the US market - tho carrier compatibility can be trickly so always check bands before buying.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org -1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (4 children)

The big problem with anything not Google or Samsung is, as it's always been, software support. You get 2 or maybe 3 years of updates and then the device is trash. So you can save a buck on the short term but it will cost you more in the long run and you'll have shitty devices all the way along anyway.

You can buy a 2 year old Pixel for $2-300 and it will last you another 4-5 years (unless Google remotely nukes your battery).

[–] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

All phones that are sold in the EU now have to have 5 years of updates after the phone is no longer sold.

Basically, all phones have 6+ years of updates now.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

You realize there's a whole rest of the world that's not the EU?

[–] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Oh my fucking god, really?!

You're so smart, that never occurred to me. I thought that there was only 27 countries in the world, and all of them were in one continent!

Yes, I do realise that, genius. I'm not from an EU country myself.

However, I engaged my brain cells and quickly realised that most phones that exist are sold in the EU, and therefore the OEM has to make and test these updates anyway. In virtually all cases they will then release these worldwide.

Like how the EU mandated USB-C and now it's worldwide. The EU has quietly become the market that sets international standards over the past 20 years.

I know it seems like I'm being mean in this comment, but fuck me it's the most Reddit comment ever. A pointless comment just begging to start a pointless argument. Nobody can be bothered with that trolling shit. Do better.

[–] No1@aussie.zone 1 points 4 months ago

anything not Google or Samsung is, as it’s always been, software support.

Motorola.has 5 years on most of its new phones nowadays

[–] Gibibit@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Just because it doesn't have latest Android doesn't mean it's trash. And Fairphone also aims for 7 years support just like your Pixel example.

[–] paequ2@lemmy.today 1 points 4 months ago (2 children)

You get 2 or maybe 3 years of updates and then the device is trash.

Yeah, I've noticed this as well...

... which is why I was surprised when I read that Nothing Phone 3 will get 5 years of updates + 2 years of security updates.

https://www.androidauthority.com/nothing-phone-3-software-updates-3568533/

Nothing’s Co-Founder and Head of Marketing, Akis Evangelidis, has confirmed that the upcoming Nothing Phone 3 will ship with a “5+7” software update promise. ...likely means the phone will get five years of Android version updates and seven years of security patches...

Although, you can't install GrapheneOS on Nothing phones... so, 🤷

[–] anamethatisnt@sopuli.xyz 1 points 4 months ago

With the new sustainability laws in EU they have to offer 5 years of updates from the sale of their last unit.

The Ecodesign Regulation lays out minimum requirements for mobile phones, cordless phones and tablets to be sold on the EU market to ensure

>- greater resistance to drops, scratches, dust and water  
>- use of more durable batteries, capable of at least 800 charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of their initial capacity  
>- clear rules on disassembly and repair, requiring manufacturers to supply key spare parts within 5-10 working days, and for at least 7 years after the product model is no longer sold in the EU  
>- longer availability of operating system updates, at least 5 years from the date the last unit model is sold  
>- fair access for professional repairers to the software or firmware needed for repairs

https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/new-eu-rules-durable-energy-efficient-and-repairable-smartphones-and-tablets-start-applying-2025-06-20_en

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org -1 points 4 months ago

Yeah that's great news. Esp. considering it's an $800+ phone.

[–] No1@aussie.zone 0 points 4 months ago

The stupid attempt to have everyone leave bluetooth always on pisses me off. They've made the BT quick tile 2 more presses to toggle on or off is ridiculous. It's not a quick tile.

I've just put a BT on/off widget on my home screen.

[–] usernameunnecessary@lemmy.zip 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Unfortunately the Android experience is getting more and more bloated and users' freedom to tinker with their phones or sideload apps is getting more and more difficult. The Play Store is riddled with more ads than useful content. Just try searching for something, and oftentimes more than half of your screen is ads.

I've been with Android since the start and I hate what Google is reducing it to. It pains me that the only viable alternative is Apple and I feel trapped.

[–] Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

F-Droid is a decent replacement for the play store. Lots of FOSS and less-enshittified apps available.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Unfortunately many of the apps needed just to exist as a member of society are only available in the Play Store.

[–] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 1 points 4 months ago

Aurora store front end works fine no Google account needed.