Samsung Fold3 and Flip3 announcement and owners

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1167 posts

Uber Geek

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#2767771 27-Aug-2021 18:02

Samsung standard now is 3 years of software updates and 4 years of security updates. Not bad at all.

Really? You think that abandoning a device after 3 years is acceptable? Wow, ok. Yes, I know that they distribute security updates for 4 years but those are largely provided to them to distribute, apart from device-specific vulnerabilities that are added in by each phone manufacturer. The costly effort goes into personalising the Android core so that it becomes Samsung Android vX +1.

How long should that $2K+ Fold 3 physically last for? Should it be ready for the bin in 4 years? Are you ok with the risk that unsupported software brings? Or would you prefer to access a 3rd-party ROM of the latest Android version? This ROM will typically weigh in at around 25-30% the size of Samsung original & offer many performance improvements, returning the 4 year old phone to useful life. Oh, except for the camera because Samsung will sabotage it. Environmental vandalism. Now that your restoration option has been removed, you are left with a physically good handset that demands risk to use it.

I remember when Galaxy S5 was current, mine was running Cyanogen & my friend's S5 - we bought them at the same time - was on stock OS. He went to make a call from where we were - one of those steep dips off Hillsborough Rd but couldn't because no reception. My phone showed 3/5 bars & made that call without an issue. But if my camera was destroyed by the process of installing non-Samsung Android, I wouldn't have done it. My phone would have been stock & neither of us would have been able to make that call. Because I wouldn't want Samsung to deliberately vandalise my phone. Fold 3 is substantially more expensive than S5.

If they're determined to take opportunity from the userbase, then surely Samsung should stand behind their expensive phones for a little while longer?

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aq1000

141 posts

Master Geek

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#2767784 27-Aug-2021 19:21

1024kb:

Samsung standard now is 3 years of software updates and 4 years of security updates. Not bad at all.

Really? You think that abandoning a device after 3 years is acceptable? Wow, ok. Yes, I know that they distribute security updates for 4 years but those are largely provided to them to distribute, apart from device-specific vulnerabilities that are added in by each phone manufacturer. The costly effort goes into personalising the Android core so that it becomes Samsung Android vX +1.

How long should that $2K+ Fold 3 physically last for? Should it be ready for the bin in 4 years? Are you ok with the risk that unsupported software brings? Or would you prefer to access a 3rd-party ROM of the latest Android version? This ROM will typically weigh in at around 25-30% the size of Samsung original & offer many performance improvements, returning the 4 year old phone to useful life. Oh, except for the camera because Samsung will sabotage it. Environmental vandalism. Now that your restoration option has been removed, you are left with a physically good handset that demands risk to use it.

I remember when Galaxy S5 was current, mine was running Cyanogen & my friend's S5 - we bought them at the same time - was on stock OS. He went to make a call from where we were - one of those steep dips off Hillsborough Rd but couldn't because no reception. My phone showed 3/5 bars & made that call without an issue. But if my camera was destroyed by the process of installing non-Samsung Android, I wouldn't have done it. My phone would have been stock & neither of us would have been able to make that call. Because I wouldn't want Samsung to deliberately vandalise my phone. Fold 3 is substantially more expensive than S5.

If they're determined to take opportunity from the userbase, then surely Samsung should stand behind their expensive phones for a little while longer?

It's not totally up to Samsung though, Qualcomm is the main culprit when it comes to the length of native software support on Android devices. They used to only give out three years max of driver updates for their chips but are now making moves to extend that, an example is here. That and the fact that not all Samsung phones use the same chip with the whole Exynos and Snapdragon split, I'm surprised they are able to support their phones for that long, relatively.

Add that and the promise of the new Pixel phones running in-house chips may make this more widespread in the Android world. With the 888 series phones, it's honestly been better than it was a couple of years ago.

The bootloader issue is quite bad though. Hope it's something that can be patched, but if not, that's not a good look.

Samsung is honestly one of the better examples of OEMs pushing for longer Android support. The S8 (which was released in 2017, when 2-year support was the standard for Android devices) still managed to get updates 4 years into its life. Physical damage and/or issues aside, I don't see how the foldables won't last for at least 3 or even 4 years of normal use if it came down to it. Although considering the asking prices, especially for the Fold, I do get it.

if only Pixels had true local support and warranty though... I'd be all over the incoming 6 series and its Apple-level promise of software updates 😂

geekAucklandNZ

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2769425 31-Aug-2021 16:54

Has anyone heard anything about pb tech shipping/pick up dates with Auckland in lockdown?

I checked the pb website and the listing for fold 3 says 29th of sep!!

Dingbatt

6756 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#2769462 31-Aug-2021 18:01

Was notified by PBTech today that the Fold3 cover I ordered is “awaiting courier pickup”. The cover is an official Samsung one that was showing as “available from 9 September” (official launch date for NZ) when I ordered it. It was after Level 4 began but was listed as an essential item. It hasn’t arrived yet and going by courier efforts in previous lockdowns it could be any time in the next month!

The phone itself was also listed as ‘essential’ so may indeed ship on about 9 September if they aren’t sitting in a container at the Ports of Auckland. Kind of academic for me though because mine was ordered through Noel Leeming for shop pickup. So I’m going to have to wait for Level 3 in Auckland for a ‘click and collect’ (maybe), so some time in the second half of September (maybe).

The 29 September date may just be as simple as that’s when the second shipment is due. In these ‘coof’ affected times nothing is sure.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

landcruiserguy

765 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2769480 31-Aug-2021 18:36

Any time you have non stock android hardware like folding screens or a gazillion cameras a custom boot loader isn't going to be for you. As an example you loose S pen support with a custom rom on a Galaxy Note. A S pen is the only reason to buy that phone so the whole idea doesn't seem like a go. This isn't a new problem and it's not unique to Samsung.

Dingbatt

6756 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#2769492 31-Aug-2021 19:12

Unless it’s a Fold specific custom rom, any chance you can shift the discussion of Samsung’s software support policy, etc to is own thread?

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

geekAucklandNZ

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2769529 31-Aug-2021 21:22

Dingbatt:

Was notified by PBTech today that the Fold3 cover I ordered is “awaiting courier pickup”. The cover is an official Samsung one that was showing as “available from 9 September” (official launch date for NZ) when I ordered it. It was after Level 4 began but was listed as an essential item. It hasn’t arrived yet and going by courier efforts in previous lockdowns it could be any time in the next month!

The phone itself was also listed as ‘essential’ so may indeed ship on about 9 September if they aren’t sitting in a container at the Ports of Auckland. Kind of academic for me though because mine was ordered through Noel Leeming for shop pickup. So I’m going to have to wait for Level 3 in Auckland for a ‘click and collect’ (maybe), so some time in the second half of September (maybe).

The 29 September date may just be as simple as that’s when the second shipment is due. In these ‘coof’ affected times nothing is sure.

I hope 29th is just for the second shipment as you suggest.

I remember when I ordered Note 8 through VF. They had the ph in my hands via courier 3 days before delivery date.

Not sure about PB Tech. If the lockdown continues, not sure if they'll feel morally obliged to courier the phone through, or sit on it, and rather have us pick it up in person whenever level 4 ends.

Sucks to be in Auckland for sure.

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mahdibassam

357 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2769984 1-Sep-2021 14:59

I ordered my Fold 3 through Samsung Education on 18th August. still says processing. im guessing it will be shipped closer to 9th September. But as usual, im just too eager. "Stuck" with my S21 Ultra until then :D