Most “best smartphone” lists optimise for what is new this quarter. This one optimises for what is still good in 4, 5, or 7 years. The phones below are scored on four longevity signals: years of software and security updates committed in writing, repairability (battery, screen, port), battery-replacement cost and ease, and resale value. Camera, screen, and chip benchmarks matter, but at the flagship tier almost every option is now good enough that those alone should not drive a 5-year decision.
Prices, exact model availability, and update commitments change month by month. Check the manufacturer’s site for the current generation in your region before you buy, especially if a successor has launched since this guide was last updated.
The longevity-data table
| Phone | OS / security update window | iFixit score | Official battery replacement | Resale strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | ~7 yrs (Apple track record) | 7/10 | ~$99 out of warranty | Highest in market |
| Pixel 9 | 7 yrs committed | 6/10 | ~$99 at uBreakiFix | Moderate |
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | 7 yrs committed | 4/10 | Samsung repair, ~$89 | High |
| iPhone 16e | ~7 yrs (Apple track record) | 7/10 | ~$89 | High |
| Galaxy Z Fold 6 | 7 yrs committed | 4/10 | Samsung repair, ~$129 | Low (foldable depreciation) |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL | 7 yrs committed | 6/10 | ~$129 at uBreakiFix | Moderate |
| ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro | 2 OS / 4 security | 6/10 | Through ASUS service | Niche |
| Fairphone 5 | 5 OS / 8+ security | 10/10 (user) | ~$30 user-replaceable | Niche, but growing |
| Galaxy A55 | 4 OS / 5 security | 4/10 | Samsung repair, ~$69 | Moderate |
| iPhone 16 | ~7 yrs (Apple track record) | 7/10 | ~$89 | High |
What matters after year three
The four longevity signals above matter most, followed by battery endurance and ecosystem friction. A household already using iCloud, Find My, AirDrop, Google Drive, or Wear OS will feel that lock-in over time. Peak benchmark performance is less useful here because every phone on this list is fast enough today and should remain acceptable in three years.
Use this as a shortlist, then check the price, the carrier deal, and the trade-in offer in your country.
1. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max - the safest 5-year flagship
Apple commits roughly six to seven years of iOS updates in practice (the original iPhone X received iOS 16, eight model years on). The Pro Max gets the largest battery in the iPhone line plus the longest telephoto. If you keep phones for four-plus years and value resale value, this is the safest expensive phone you can buy.
It is the safest expensive pick for people who hold onto phones, care about resale, and live inside iCloud or iMessage. The downsides are familiar: heavy body, high price, and expensive repairs without AppleCare+. Confirm the current generation at apple.com/shop/buy-iphone.
2. Google Pixel 9 - best Android value with a written 7-year commitment
The standard Pixel 9 ships with Google’s seven-year software and security update commitment in writing - the longest Android commitment available. Flagship Tensor chip, cleanest Android experience without carrier bloat. Cameras still lead in computational photography for non-zoom shots.
It is the Android value pick for long updates, a fast camera, and clean software at non-flagship pricing. The main compromise is zoom: telephoto hardware is reserved for the Pro and Pro XL. Check store.google.com/category/phones.
3. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra - 7-year commitment plus the S Pen
Samsung’s Ultra line is the only mainstream flagship that still includes an S Pen, plus the most flexible camera system (wide, ultrawide, 3x, 5x). Samsung now matches Apple and Google on long-term updates with seven years of OS and security patches.
This is for power users, note takers, and anyone who uses long zoom. It is large and heavy, One UI ships with more pre-installed apps than stock Android, and repairability trails Apple, Google, and Fairphone. Details are at samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-s25-ultra.
4. Apple iPhone 16e - the cheapest current iPhone with full software life
The iPhone 16e is Apple’s current entry into the smaller and mid-tier line. You get the same A-series chip family and the same software support window as the flagships, in a lighter and cheaper body, at the cost of an older camera system and no MagSafe in some markets.
It suits people who want a current iPhone with full software support but cannot justify Pro pricing. The single rear camera and missing Pro features, such as always-on display and ProMotion, are the trade. Compare models at apple.com/shop/buy-iphone.
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 - most refined foldable, but factor in repair risk
The Fold 6 is the most refined “phone that opens into a tablet” Samsung has shipped. The hinge feels durable, multitasking on the inner display is useful, and Samsung offers seven years of updates on it. Foldables remain the most expensive and the most repair-sensitive phones to own - the long-ownership case is weakest here.
The Fold 6 is the most refined “phone that opens into a tablet” Samsung has shipped. The hinge feels durable, multitasking on the inner display is useful, and Samsung offers seven years of updates on it. Foldables remain the most expensive and most repair-sensitive phones to own, so the long-ownership case is weakest here.
It fits heavy multitaskers, ebook readers, and people who carry a tablet anyway. The high price, visible inner crease, expensive screen and hinge repairs, and fast resale drop are part of the ownership cost. Details are at samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-z-fold6.
6. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - largest battery in the Android flagship tier
The Pixel 9 Pro XL combines a 5,060 mAh battery with Google’s efficient Tensor scheduling and 7-year update commitment. In real-world testing it consistently lasts a full heavy day, which is the only battery metric that matters across a multi-year ownership window.
It suits heavy users who want one phone to last a long day without a power bank, for years. The size is noticeable in hand, and Tensor chips can run warmer than Apple or Qualcomm flagships under sustained load. See store.google.com/product/pixel_9_pro_xl.
7. ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro - high spec, short update window
The ROG Phone 9 Pro pairs a high-refresh AMOLED, shoulder triggers, an external active cooler, and Qualcomm’s top mobile chip with thermals tuned for sustained load. It is overkill for casual users and exactly right for emulation and competitive mobile games. The 5-year ownership case is weaker than the rest of this list - ASUS commits to only 2 OS and 4 security updates.
This is for serious mobile gamers and emulation enthusiasts on a 2-3 year cycle. The design is bulky, the styling is gamer-coded, and software support is much shorter than Samsung, Google, or Apple. Browse rog.asus.com/phones.
8. Fairphone 5 - the explicit long-ownership phone
The Fairphone 5 is user-repairable: battery, screen, USB port, cameras, and earpiece all swap with a standard screwdriver. Fairphone targets eight to ten years of software support and parts availability. Specs are mid-range, but the long lifespan is the point. The iFixit repairability score is the only 10/10 on this list.
It is for people who keep phones until they die and care about repair, supply chain, and reuse. The compromises are mid-range performance, a mid-range camera, and much stronger availability in Europe than elsewhere. See fairphone.com.
9. Samsung Galaxy A55 - budget Android with strong updates
The Galaxy A55 has stepped into the sweet spot of the budget market: solid build, AMOLED screen, four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches. It is the safest budget Android pick if you want a phone to still be patched in three years.
It is for budget buyers who refuse to give up software updates. Chip performance is well behind flagships, and the camera is fine rather than class-leading, but the patch window is the point. Details are at samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-a55-5g.
10. Apple iPhone 16 - cheapest entry into a long Apple-ecosystem life
If your spouse, kids, or workmates are on iMessage, FaceTime, AirDrop, and Find My, the base iPhone 16 is the cheapest current phone that joins that ecosystem cleanly with the full software-support window. Hand-me-down value is also strongest in the iPhone family - this phone is still useful as a child’s first phone in year 5.
It is strongest for households already on Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, AirPods, or iCloud Photos. Switching later to Android or Windows gets annoying once you are deep in iCloud. Check the current model at apple.com/shop/buy-iphone.
Before choosing a long-term phone
- Decide how many years you plan to keep the phone before you choose. That alone narrows the list to three or four.
- Check the manufacturer’s stated update commitment in writing - “as long as we support it” is not a commitment.
- Compare the trade-in offer from the manufacturer against your carrier’s offer. The gap is often R3,000+ / $200+.
- Match the phone to your ecosystem (watch, laptop, family). Cross-ecosystem friction increases with years.
- Buy a case and a screen protector before you walk out. Repair cost on these phones now exceeds the cost of mid-range phones entirely.
Long-term phone questions
What’s the minimum software update commitment I should accept when buying a phone in 2026?
Five years minimum, seven if you’re buying a flagship. Apple, Google Pixel, and Samsung flagship/A-series all now offer 7-year commitments. Anything under 3 years means you’ll likely be using an unpatched phone before the typical ownership window is up. Always verify the commitment is on the manufacturer’s official website - “as long as we support it” is not a commitment.
Is the Fairphone 5 worth buying if you care about repairability?
Yes, specifically for users who want to keep a phone for 8+ years and are prepared to repair it themselves. The 10/10 iFixit score means a standard screwdriver can replace the battery, screen, charging port, and cameras. The trade-off is mid-range performance and limited global availability outside Europe. It’s the only phone on this list where the stated goal is decade-long use.
How does the iPhone hold its value compared to Android phones?
iPhones depreciate more slowly than almost all Android phones, including Samsung flagships. A 3-year-old iPhone typically retains 35-50% of its launch price; equivalent Samsung and Google Pixel models are often at 20-35%. This matters for total cost of ownership if you trade in or sell - the higher upfront cost of an iPhone can be partially offset by better resale.
Should I buy AppleCare+ for an iPhone I plan to keep for 5+ years?
If you’re keeping a phone for 5+ years, some form of extended coverage makes sense - screen and battery repairs on flagship iPhones can easily exceed $200 without coverage. AppleCare+ covers two incidents of accidental damage per year for a deductible. The battery-replacement benefit (free battery replacement if it drops below 80% capacity) alone is worth it for long-term owners who typically hit that threshold around year 3.
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Sources and support caveats
Specifications, prices, and update commitments change frequently. This guide is based on manufacturer announcements current at the May 2026 cycle - verify the current generation and your local pricing before you buy. iFixit scores can change with successor model teardowns.
- Android Security Bulletins - confirm a model is still patched.
- Apple security updates - confirm an iPhone is still receiving security updates.
- iFixit phone repairability scores - independent repairability ratings per model.
- Right to Repair Europe - policy news on user-repairability legislation.