Within the U.S., it's reasonable to assume that by the end of 2022 there will not be a single major carrier supporting 2G. The same fate awaits 3G. 4G LTE operates under a different scenario, and we can confidently say that 4G will be around for at least another decade.
A lot of older cellphones, including the IPhone 5, IPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S4, as well as many of the flip phones, will become obsolete in 2022 as mobile providers make the switch to 5G networks.
4G will be around for years to come as we have seen with 3G. Mobile service operators still — albeit in very few areas — offer 3G services. So 5G will not mean the end of 4G.
T-Mobile and Sprint 3G/2G/4G LTE network shutdown dates
These are January 1, 2022 for Sprint's 3G network sunset, and June 30, 2022 for the 4G LTE connections, respectively.
If you see 4G, LTE, or 4G LTE, your phone is safe and will continue to work after the 3G networks are shut down.
The largest three American mobile providers are all phasing out their 3G networks in 2022, meaning customers will need 4G or 5G phones to continue receiving service.
“I don't know how,” she said. “All of this new technology, I admit, I can't keep up with it.” Beginning in 2022, a lot of those older phones will become obsolete. The FCC is warning that if you have an outdated model, you may not be able to send text messages, access the internet or make phone calls -- not even to 911.
4G is expected to last for at least another decade, and possibly longer with the help of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), which shares available spectrum between 4G LTE and 5G devices.
After over 10 years, Google has announced to no longer allow Android 2.3. 7 or lower users to access its suite of apps. “As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our users safe, Google will no longer allow sign-in on Android devices that run Android 2.3. 7 or lower starting September 27, 2021.
You might not notice immediately if your phone is out of date. The most obvious sign you're on old software might be when you look for new apps to download. Many apps will simply be incompatible due to the software and hardware limitations on your phone and you won't be able to install them.
Nonetheless, replacing your device every two years is still a good idea. Even if the phone functions well, the hardware and operating system are antiquated by the time the phone is two years old.
Yes. Any device with a 3G cellular connection or a Sprint 4G LTE connection will be affected by the 2022 3G Shutdown. For example, many automotive-connected devices may be affected, including older OnStar systems and certain remote start systems.
Google Pixel/stock Android phones
Open Settings> Network & Internet> SIMs> Preferred network type>Choose 5G.
Your phone could be vulnerable to attacks. Your phone may become unreliable. Your phone may start to slow down. Your battery life could be affected.
Upgrading Your Phone Every Three Years
So, three years is enough time to consider upgrading your phone, but that's only so if you know that you'll actually benefit from a new phone and its features. If your current phone works fine after three years, you can just get its battery replaced to extend its life.
Even if you think your phone is working perfectly, it may be time for a new device if it's been 2 or 3 years since your last switch. Over that amount of time, phones have changed enough that you'll notice significant differences in things like screen size, display resolution and camera quality.
Yes, It's Possible. - The New York Times. Personal Tech|A Smartphone That Lasts a Decade? Yes, It's Possible.
The average life of a smartphone
The Consumentenbond estimates the average lifespan at 2.5 years. Other sources indicate that a new smartphone will last 15 to 18 months. The lifespan of your smartphone depends on how you handle your device.
You must have a 5G-capable phone to access a 5G network. Older 4G devices without 5G radios will not connect to 5G networks.
Performance: in the lower-end segments you can get more performance out of a 4G phone compared to a 5G phone at the same price. While the 4G phone may not be the more future-proof option, it may still be the more powerful device, and the better choice if you cannot use 5G in your area.
Old devices will need to be replaced when 5G rolls out. 5G could cause unexpected problems for devices relying on the old 3G network as service providers shut down their outdated systems.