Will you use a phone that's no longer getting security updates?

Two things:

  1. I’m considering getting an S10+ as a work phone but am unsure about its security. What are your thoughts on that?

  2. For S22 Ultra users, how has the phone’s performance held up over the years? What common issues have you encountered?

I’m thinking about getting the S24 Ultra because it’s the latest, but I’m still undecided due to the high price. Recently, I’ve seen the S22 Ultra for under $1k, which seems like a good deal. Let me know your experience!

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No phone is truly secure. Updates are meant to fix security issues, but they come out weeks or months after being discovered because the code has to go through many people before release. Just use any phone—if someone wants your data, they probably already have it, or you’ll fall for phishing anyway.

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Yes, if you’re generally satisfied with the phone, just keep your apps updated (both from the manufacturer and Google), avoid installing strange APKs or unnecessary apps, and be mindful of phishing.

I know plenty of people who use old phones until the screen breaks, the battery or motherboard fails, or the charging port stops working, or they install so much junk that it slows down. But I’ve never heard of anyone getting their bank account drained just because their updates stopped, even years later.

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I can only respond to your second question. I like my S22 Ultra, but I’ve noticed it overheats more now than it did a year ago. Other than that, it’s a great phone. The battery life isn’t amazing, but it’s decent enough in my opinion.

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Security updates generally don’t make much difference for the average user. The only one that stands out is the MMS exploit, which you can avoid by disabling MMS.

Since you can update your web browser through the app store, there’s not much else needed to keep your device secure for everyday use.

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Relax, even if you use an outdated phone with an older OS. There are still multiple layers of security in place. I used Windows XP and Windows 7 long after they were discontinued and used Android Gingerbread while newer versions like KitKat and Lollipop were available. As long as you avoid risky behavior, you’re generally safe. Most banking transactions need an SMS or authenticator code, and apps from the Play Store are almost always legitimate. Just check your running services occasionally for any unusual apps. Enjoy life!

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I prefer using an up-to-date phone because I have banking apps on it. I want to ensure I’m as safe as possible.