Quoting the tl;dr in the linked article:
Samsung could be stepping up its game by offering seven years of major Android updates for the Galaxy S24 series, and the generous update policy might extend to other Galaxy flagships.
The Galaxy S24 series might also introduce charges for AI features like Live Translate and Pixel-like photo editing tools after 2025.
There’s speculation that users may need to sign in to their Samsung accounts for certain AI functionalities.
i always found it funny that the best method of having a privacy focused phone (without having significant tradeoffs like the pinephone) is to buy the phone from the company who violates privacy the worst, and flashing over it.
True. This is why the general recommendation is typically to buy used. That way, they don’t get additional revenue from the sale of a new phone, and it also decreases e-waste.
(Sure, the revenue may be a drop in the bucket, but it’s still something.)
There’s an argument to be made that buying used improves resale value and thus increases the price they can sell new, but I will not make it 😂
I think they probably break even or even sell these devices at a loss. The money is in the data-mining. And they want to show other OEMs/consumers what a “flagship” Android experience can/should look like.
Kinda like video game consoles are sold at a loss to subsidize game sales.