HMD Global has a reputation for rolling out updates in a timely fashion, so you won't have to wait around for the latest updates.
The phone runs Android One, with 2022 being the last year it will receive a major system update, though security updates will continue until 2023.
That's even more true nowadays where most flagships and even some midrange phones offer a 120Hz refresh rate, or 90Hz at the very least.īut the 8.3 5G is still an excellent choice for those cameras, the Snapdragon 765G processor, and that all-too-elusive-nowadays microSD card slot, not to mention its 4,500mAh battery. However, where we felt things fell down was that 60Hz refresh rate. When we reviewed the phone back in 2020, we loved its 6.81-inch IPS LCD display with "PureDisplay" tech offering adaptive brightness, enhanced color accuracy and sharpness, and always-on HDR. The impressive cameras boast the PureView name on the spec sheet, and HMD Global's Zeiss partnership undoubtedly contributes to the strong performance on offer.
While Nokia might not immediately spring to mind when choosing an older flagship phone, the Nokia 8.3 5G is still a good buy with its large, attractive screen, long battery life, and excellent main and ultra-wide cameras, plus 5G.
Since this phone ships with OxygenOS 11 (Android 11), with software support ending in October 2023, it should receive OnePlus' version of Android 14. The OnePlus 8T should also receive three Android updates.
The OnePlus 8 Pro will receive three Android updates, and it's already received OxygenOS 11 (Android 11), which means Android 13 is the last Android version it should receive, with the software support end date set for April 2023. OnePlus does a good job of updating the software on its phones, offering three years of updates. You could save even more by opting for the OnePlus 8T, which has a smaller 6.55-inch 120Hz display, 4,500mAh battery, and Warp Charge 65T, but no wireless charging and no IP rating. The OnePlus 8 Pro offers excellent performance, a beefy 4,510mAh battery with super-fast charging, a stunning 6.78-inch Fluid AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate (and 240Hz touch sampling rate for gaming), and great photos from its cameras. But look beyond its latest flagship - the OnePlus 10 Pro - and you'll find the OnePlus 8 Pro is still a great phone for the money, as well as the OnePlus 8T. OnePlus is known for its great flagships with high-spec performance at a comparatively affordable price. For this reason, we wouldn't recommend going any further back than the 3a if you plan to keep your phone for some time.
Going back further, the Pixel 4a will also receive updates until next year, though if you pick up a Pixel 3a, it will have already received its last Android version and security updates in May 2022. The Pixel 5 will get Android version updates and security updates until October 2023, giving it a degree of longevity.
Google provides all its Pixel phones with timely software updates. Yes, the phone looks a bit understated and isn't the most visually appealing device ever, but what it lacks in wow factor, it more than makes up for with its two-day battery life, gorgeous display, and highly capable camera. True, it has a smaller screen and less processing power than the Pixel 6 series, but with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chip, you still get plenty of power, and everything looks great on the 6-inch OLED 90Hz screen. There's still plenty of mileage in the older Google Pixel 5. Prefer your phone with stock Android, as Google intended? Then you need to get your hands on a Pixel phone - but you don't need to splurge on the latest Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. Want to save money on an iPhone while going for a more recent model? The iPhone SE (2022) is the phone we'd recommend with its A15 chip, compact form factor, and excellent image processing. We wouldn't recommend going any older than the iPhone 8, however, which still comes with a decent main camera and pretty powerful processor.
The iPhone 12 has an A14 chip and the same 6.1-inch screen with 2532 x 1170 resolution as the iPhone 13, but you'll miss out on the iPhone 13's improved camera hardware, brighter display, smaller notch, and wider range of colors to choose from.Īpple's known for continuing to update and support older iPhones, so you don't really need to worry about that if you choose the iPhone 12. Apple still sells the iPhone 12, and though it's a step down from the latest A15 processor and longer battery life of the iPhone 13, it's an excellent buy for the money. If you're an Apple over Android person but don't want to spend too much on a new phone, you should definitely consider an older model iPhone.