Re: Alternate OS for LG V20?

On Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:06:00 +0200, Carlos E.R. wrote :

Sure, if I were purchasing now I would look at the most recent successor
of the G62. I personally like Motorola, and the G62 has all the features
I need. But I would choose a newer version.

Hi Carlos,

I had a Motorola (I think it was the G2?) when Google was giving them away
for free (or for $100, I don't recall) and it was OK but it was my first
phone ever without the sd slot, so I checked and the G62 has the sd slot.

I think a phone with the biggest battery you can find plus an sd slot (and
possibly an aux port) are the three biggest things you can do for overall
years of life (plus, of course, a case and screen protector overlays).

Most Motorola slots are hybrid, but to strive to always add additional
value, I checked just now and the following Moto phones offer sd slots:
 Motorola Moto G Stylus 2025
 Motorola Moto G Power 2025
 Motorola Moto G 2025
 Motorola Moto G34 5G
 Motorola Moto G85 5G (maybe not all versions though)

The newer the better, for longer support.

I love the UK regulations (PSTI Act 2022 and the Product Security and
Telecommunications Infrastructure Regulations 2023 which goes into effect
April 29, 2024 which required manufacturers to state, in writing, the
promised minimum length of time security updates will be provided, along
with an end date, in a clear, accessible, and transparent manner to
consumers.

Samsung promised 7 years (6 for the cheaper A-series phones).
Google belatedly promised 7 years for the Pixel.
Apple promised only 5 years.

To add value, I tried to look up Motorola's promised support, but it varies
from as low as only 2 years for the mid-range Moto G series and three years
for the Edge series.

I looked up the aforementioned G62 which launched with Android 12 and was
officially updated to Android 13. Motorola has stated it will not receive
Android 14 but Motorola promised in writing to the UK three years of
security updates. Motorola is legally obligated to declare this "three
years" for the G62 in its Statement of Compliance for products sold in the
UK.

While the phone will receive security updates for three years from its
release, major Android OS updates are a separate matter, and the G62's OS
upgrade path has concluded with Android 13.

I just compared it to the compliance statement on my 3-year old free
Samsung Galaxy A32-5G from April 2021. The Galaxy A32 5G launched with
Android 11. It received Android 12 and Android 13. It is not eligible for
Android 14 or newer major OS updates. The Galaxy A32 5G has been on a
quarterly security update schedule. This means it received security updates
roughly every three months. As of early 2025, it was still receiving
security patches (I just received a security update recently).

When you compare Motorola to Samsung, I'd take all that data into account.

Soon the mandate to have replaceable batteries should come into effect
in the EU, and that should change things.

I love that the EU put the manufacturers' feet to the fire by forcing them
to certify their batteries (which goes into effect June 20th, 2025) and by
forcing them to make the batteries replaceable after February 18, 2027.

It's important to note that "user-replaceable" doesn't necessarily mean a
return to the easily swappable batteries of older phones (where you just
popped off a back cover). The EU 2023/1542 regulation states that a battery
is considered "readily removable" if it can be removed using commercially
available tools, without requiring specialized tools (unless provided for
free), thermal energy, or solvents. So, while it will likely involve
unscrewing components, it should be a process that an average user can
complete without extensive technical expertise.