The era of getting a new phone every year is over – even a 2 year upgrade cycle is becoming less common. Nowadays, even entry-level phones can last for several years. And some of the new Samsung Galaxy A16 5G can actually last longer.
The phone has 6 years of wildcard support, which means it will receive OS updates and security patches until October 2030. Keep this in mind – a €250 phone will get support longer than most flagships. This includes recent Samsung phones (for example the S23 series is only getting 5 years of support) and recent Pixels (the Pixel 7 series is also getting 5 years of support). Even Apple, once the undisputed champion in terms of phone longevity, is no longer at the forefront – iOS 17 ended support for the 6-year-old (at the time) iPhone .
Some manufacturers like Samsung and Google have extended support for their flagship series to 7 years. But we did not expect that the age of entry-level models would exceed 5 years so soon. For example, the previous model, the Galaxy A15 5G, is slated for 5 years of support. And that only includes 4 OS updates, 5 years for security patches. With the A16, it’s 6 years for both OS updates and security patches.
Samsung equips the Galaxy A16 5G with either the Dimensity 6300 or the Exynos 1330. For example, the 1330 we have previously seen in the Galaxy A14 5G. It’s not a great chip, but considering the price it’s an understandable option.
The phone also got dust and water resistance, only an IP54 rating, but it’s still much better than the A15. Also, it sports a microSD slot for expandable storage. However, the 3.5mm headphone jack is gone – times, they’re a changing situation.
Another change this year – no 4G model. At least not yet, but the A15 and A15 5G launch at the same time, so there’s no reason for a delay. Of course, at some point, 4G-only phones will go away, just as 3G-only phones did. But has that moment come now or would you prefer a cheaper 4G phone (that too with 6 years of support)?
Well, 6 years of support is definitely a great way to reduce e-waste. But do you think a low-end phone like the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G will last until 2030 and not feel too slow to use?
