If Samsung didn't subsidize my purchases through their pre order deals a phone like this would be interesting.
The thing is that for me unless the software is an experience I enjoy using and is supported for a long time with quick updates. I also want reliable software.
Now that Samsung and Google basically match Apple in terms of 7 years of updates it is hard not to factor that in the purchase decision. I may not keep the phone for 7 years or even close but it is nice to know if I had to I could and it will add resale value to all of these devices.
So the appeal of cheap hardware is starting not to be as enticing as it used to be if there isn't at least an equal value in the software too.
Apple has NEVER on record EVER stated 7 years of support for any iPhone!
Laptops via OS have gotten 7yrs ONLY if purchased in Cupertino at an official Apple store! Research thsi to find the truth of my statement!
Iphone 11 no 7yrs
Iphone 12 barely getting OS updates and every year there are features in iOS that technically SHOULD work on a later model yet is PURPOSELY withheld to help boost sales if the latest model! It's sad cause iPhone faithful never r really complain in mass about it!
The term "Vintage" proves fact of my statement as it has only EVER applied to their laptops. Search for this on their site.
I've personally experienced thsi myself after 13yrs using and championing iPhone and iOS and started to see the lack of ios software features drop year after year since iPhone 7. (Iphone 8 for 2yrs was a strange yet happy exception along with iPhone SE OG getting close to 12yrs with a surprise security update)
Samsung it's the complete opposite. Less than 3 months after the Galaxy S24 debut with AI features I got everything the same on my S23! Many of those features have spread across almost completely internationally and will by this time on lower end Galaxy M or A devices 1-2yrs old.
For the 1st time in almost 2 decades I've never felt compelled to purchase an extended warranty for my phone and I'm no longer with Apple. Yet even in beta ios users have to wait for "Apple Intelligence" which doesn't seem like an intelligent move at all by Apple. And if any user believes Apple saying only the latest processors will get it baffles me because in the same keynote Cook specifically mentioned for years Apple introduced the neural engine across all their devices so what gives here?!
Why was their former Google hire even paid and bumped in less than 2yrs to executive level if HE didn't bring AI realization to the coding staff, and it was through basic ignorance that Craig experienced it and got the software team involved. Why dint ANY internal software team ember bring this to light to any executive decision maker years before?! Why aren't end users demanding more from Apple?!