This is a guide to a longer lasting Android device, from choosing one to how to preserve the life of the one that you have.
Choosing a long-lasting and repair friendly phone:
To get the best shot at longevity, start with a high quality device from a manufacture with a history of long term device support, and one that regularly releases there modifications to the kernel source code. A device that has an unlockable bootloader (XDA developers Forums is a good place to see about ROM support), and is user repairable (See iFixit's Smartphone Repairability Scores) will allow you to keep the software & hardware going the longest. Both the Google Pixels, and Fairphone's line are a good place to start. Fairphone is the USA is sold though Murena
Before you use your phone
- Get a good sturdy case like an Otterbox
- Apply a screen protector. I recommend Glass, Sapphire is the best (but very expensive).
Battery
Lithium-ion (LI-on) battery's wear out faster when near the upper and lower charge levels (read why here: Battery University), so avoid charging or discarding the battery fully, aiming for around 20~80% is a good target.
Never leave your phone in a hot car or in the Sun, extreme heat exposure reduces the lifespan of the battery & is generally bad for other components.
Charging
- Avoid fast & wireless charging by using a older charging block that only outputs a few(1~2) Amps. (to reduce the heat the battery endures)
- Use a magnetic charging cable to reduce the wear on the plug (Like Volta), you need a bulky case to have it flush to not make the phone uncomfortable to hold though.
- When/If you use a regular charging cable don't move the phone around when it's plugged in, movement wears the plug much sooner.
Use a charge limiting feature. (Listed in order of recommendation.)
-
If your phone has a built smart battery charge management feature, use that. (Most modern high end phones do, including Samsung's, Google's & Apple's)
-
If you have Root; use ACCA(a GUI for ACC) (Suggested Charging config: Level limit: 85%, Current: 700mA, Voltage: 3800mV)
-
Buy a switch that can wirelessly cut off power based on charge level:
- A Chargie by Lighty Electronics is a Bluetooth enabled USB-A power switch, the accompanying APP configures it to auto cut off power based on power draw or charge level. Note that in the newest Android versions/PlayStore restrictions prevent versions of the APP past v2.2.20 from auto enabling Bluetooth, making this solution a little less appealing as you have to leave Bluetooth on you manually enable it.
- Using an Automation APP like Tasker to turn off a Home Assistant-controlled smart plug when the battery exceeds a reprogramed threshold, is a more reliable method & works for any device.
- Install an APP that alerts you at charge levels so you can unplug you phone. (AccuBattery, Battery Guru: Monitor & Health, etc.
Waking & Locking the screen
To reduce the use of the power button, as it's a fail point, although less common.
To wake
1. Use the features "Lift to check phone/events" and "Double-Tap to check phone"
2. Use the fingerprint reader to wake and unlock.
To lock/turn off the screen
1. Use a launcher that support double tapping the home screen to lock it (Nova launcher, Smart launcher, etc.)
2. Use Googles Quick Tap feature if you have a Pixel or the APP Tap, Tap for any Android to lock the screen. (Note: battery life might suffer)
3. Use a short Screen Time out.
TIPS
- Get a new case to get a fresh look and feel when your tired of the one you have.
- Read through the comments! There are many good additions from people with different experiences & perspectives.
Edit's: Updated & reformatted several things based on comments <3
Liquid screen protectors are useless snake oil, and doubly so when you're putting a real screen protector over the top of them.
Fairfone isn't compatible with most US carriers.
Samsung and some other providers/custom roms as well have a settings option to stop charging at 85%. This will vastly extend how long your battery will last before going bad.
Disable fast charging options. If your phone doesn't have the option, use a charge block that only outputs 5v 2amp. This will also make your battery last longer.
When replacing batteries, 99% of aftermarket batteries are absolute garbage. Either get an OEM replacement (most on ebay are counterfeit) or just know you'll have to replace it often.
I keep my phones for usually 3 to 5 years at a time and in 25 years have never had a power button go bad on me. I also have a lot of equipment to fix laptops, cell phones, etc so I get a lot of people I know bring me their phones when they break, and out of dozens of phones brought to me, I've never had to repair a power button. It's all speakers and charge ports and screen stuff. A volume button once.
Speaking of charge ports: Keep them clean and don't use your phone while they're plugged in. Or at least be mindful to not stress the connection while it's plugged in.
Never leave your phone in a hot car or the sun shining on it through a window. This hurts the battery and causes the adhesive holding down the cable from the main board to the screen to de-laminate. That's what has often happened when a screen has a solid thin line of color going all the way down the screen (looking at you, samsung).
Use the accubattery apk(android) to keep an eye on your battery health and spot apks that are draining your battery the most.
Cross your fingers and hope you can still find a good phone with an SD card slot.
Know someone like me who will fix your phone for you. I do it for people I know just for the funsies. It's a nice hobby.