Even before the recent rise in device prices in 2026 due to the shortage of memory chips, phones have steadily become more and more expensive in Malaysia. Many experts say prices may not go down until 2030, so instead of upgrading every year, perhaps you should buy 1 device that would last 4 years or more instead?
Choosing such a phone isn't as straightforward as you might think as there are certain features to look out for to ensure that the phone you buy can withstand the test of time. Read on to find out more.
Look for Long-Term Software Updates
Apple, Google, Samsung and Honor flagships tend to offer up to 7 years of updates
Guaranteed software updates are the most critical factor in ensuring a phone remains secure and compatible with the latest applications. While many phone brands only offer 2 years of support, a few brands have extended their commitment to include up to 7 years of updates and more.
Apple, Samsung, and Google typically lead the market by providing up to 7 years of updates for their flagship models like the iPhone 17 series, Samsung Galaxy S26 series and Google Pixel 10 series. Recently though, Honor has also joined the club with 7 years of updates for their Honor Magic 7 Pro continuing on to the current Honor Magic 8 Pro.
The modular Fairphone is one of the few brands to offer up to 10 years of updates, but it might be a bit more expensive to fix or upgrade here in Malaysia due to shipping costs. Thankfully, some brands like Honor, Xiaomi, OPPO and Tecno now offer up to 3 to 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates for their entry-level to mid-range devices.
Performance needs increase every year, so find Flagships with lots of memory
Last year's former flagship can still beat out most future midrangers
Mobile applications and games become more demanding with every passing year, which can cause older hardware to struggle. A budget or even mid-range device that feels fast today might experience lagging and performance drops within just twelve months.
To avoid this, users should look for devices with powerful processors, a lot of RAM and plenty of storage to handle future software requirements. These are generally flagships, but even former flagships that are 1 year older can usually beat out most future midrangers with ease.
Yes, you may pay more initially to get the variant with the highest amount of RAM (12GB to 16GB) and storage (512GB to 1TB), but photos and videos tend to accumulate over the years. So, getting the one with the most memory is a good investment for the future.
Protect Your Tech Investment Accordingly
Putting your phone and keys together in the same pocket might not be a good idea, unless you don't care about the screen being scratched
Obviously, if you want to ensure that your phone survives longer you should probably take better care of it. This doesn't just mean slapping on a case and screen protector but also maybe not putting it in your back pocket and sitting on it all the time.
Other tips that many people seem to forget include not carrying your phone in a bag or pocket with your keys, or not leaving your phone out in the heat of the sun (like a car dashboard). There's also other common sense tips like not using your phone while it's charging or trying not to overcharge your phone.
Conclusion - Former Flagships are the way to go?
Overall, if you're looking to get a long-lasting smartphone that can last up to 4 years and beyond, former flagships are the way to go. They usually cost less than current flagships and if they're from Samsung, Google, Honor or Apple, then you will still get up to 6 years of updates guaranteed. Just make sure to get a former flagship around 1-2 years older, so that you don't have issues later.
If you're not a gamer or that invested in performance, then there's also older midrangers like the Google Pixel 9a or the Samsung Galaxy A56 which are now priced below RM2K. Just make sure to get the variants with a lot of memory, and you'll be set for the next 4 years easily.
So, what do you think? How long does it usually take for a phone to become unusable for you, and do you think your next purchase could last 4 years? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates.
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