Mobile phone lifetime

400ixl

Yep, but tends to be a year late in getting the latest version of Android.

finbaar

Google moved a lot of important stuff away from monthly security patches and yearly updates with either Android 11 or 12  I think. Yes, we would all like years and years of full updates like a Pixel but cheaper devices aren't going to get that.
What Google did was put a lot of the heavy lifting for security in the Googly Play Services and Google Play System apps. These are updated via the Play Store and go a long way to keeping your device safe. So providing these apps are up-to-date then you are safe.
My main two phones are a Pixel 8 Pro - obviously full on the latest everything - and a Microsoft Surface Duo. The Duo is on Android 12L and was last updated in September 2023. And yet I'm perfectly happy to use it for banking apps as the Play Services and System apps are up-to-date.

mrochester

goodValue said:

Do users gain any benefit from the skins/bloatware, or is it only for the benefit of the phone makers?

Different features and functionality than what is offered on the Google version of Android.