Only 3 years of OS updates, then you need a new phone. Give 5 years directly so you can start thinking about competing with iOS. What is the problem? They have control of the software and the hardware like Apple.
You say that 5 years is needed to compete with iPhone but Android is 4 years ahead of iOS so effectively your net result after 3 years is still further forward than iOS after 5
No, you need to look at OS API level which gets updated every OS. App developers just assume that based on age that they will no longer support older devices.
Only 3 years of OS updates, then you need a new phone. Give 5 years directly so you can start thinking about competing with iOS. What is the problem? They have control of the software and the hardware like Apple.
The ‘problem’ is that supporting ‘old’ hardware won’t net them the same high profit margins to which they’ve grown accustomed.
Also is that 3 years from the first day they sell one or 3 years from the last day they sell one?
First day they sell one.
You say that 5 years is needed to compete with iPhone but Android is 4 years ahead of iOS so effectively your net result after 3 years is still further forward than iOS after 5
No, you need to look at OS API level which gets updated every OS. App developers just assume that based on age that they will no longer support older devices.