Recommendations for Andriod phones that can be rooted and upgraded

[connda]

I have a older Oppo A37fw.  Older worked until it didn't which was until this month when my banking app stopped working because the app requires Android 6+.  The Oppo A37fw runs its own operating system ColorOS with a base locked into Android 5.1.1.  And of course they aren't updating this.  How else can they get you to buy new phones if they don't build in obsolescence?  That's pretty sad in a world of greed, but there you have it.

I've looked into what would be needed to force an upgrade to a newer version of Andoid, but the A37fw seems to be designed to keep users from doing exactly that.  Not impossible but extremely difficult.  I don't want to deal with it.

So.  I'm in the market for a new Android phone but a phone that has the least "built-in obsolescence" and one they will be able to handle future OS upgrades, and should the manufacturer choose to not supply OS upgrades in the future, than a phone that is known to be customizable, ie, a phone that can easily be rooted and flashed.

I also want the least expensive phone I can get that meets these requirements. 
I use "Smart Phones" as little as possible, but they have their specific uses. So given the fact that my Smart Phone spends most of it's life sitting on a table, I'm not interested in performance or "bells and whistles" or the price tags that come with a "performance phone".  I don't need a BWM when a Suzuki does everything I want it to do.  Same with this new phone.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[KannikaP]

28 minutes ago, connda said:

I have a older Oppo A37fw.  Older worked until it didn't which was until this month when my banking app stopped working because the app requires Android 6+.  The Oppo A37fw runs its own operating system ColorOS with a base locked into Android 5.1.1.  And of course they aren't updating this.  How else can they get you to buy new phones if they don't build in obsolescence?  That's pretty sad in a world of greed, but there you have it.

I've looked into what would be needed to force an upgrade to a newer version of Andoid, but the A37fw seems to be designed to keep users from doing exactly that.  Not impossible but extremely difficult.  I don't want to deal with it.

So.  I'm in the market for a new Android phone but a phone that has the least "built-in obsolescence" and one they will be able to handle future OS upgrades, and should the manufacturer choose to not supply OS upgrades in the future, than a phone that is known to be customizable, ie, a phone that can easily be rooted and flashed.

I also want the least expensive phone I can get that meets these requirements. 
I use "Smart Phones" as little as possible, but they have their specific uses. So given the fact that my Smart Phone spends most of it's life sitting on a table, I'm not interested in performance or "bells and whistles" or the price tags that come with a "performance phone".  I don't need a BWM when a Suzuki does everything I want it to do.  Same with this new phone.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Just got the Mrs a Samsung A21S for Bht 8k with goodies included. Brilliant phone.

[Sophon]

Your banking app almost certainly won't work on a rooted device.

[userabcd]

Suggest a samsung a51. It costs about 7400 baht from nasa in mbk.

 

From what I have read on diff tech sites, it will receive 3 versions of OS upgrades, so up to android 12 which is quite good for a midrange device.

Edited December 15, 2020 by userabcd

[Barnabe]

Any rooted phone will have several problems:

• it will be inherently more insecure, exposing you to more risks
• because of this, a lot of financial apps won't work, neither will android pay and similar schemes

In addition, you're subject to the whims of random people on the Internet to keep churning out new releases for your phone. This again represents a security risk, as they can imbed whatever malware they want in these releases and no-one will find out unless they look deep into the build. Granted this is a very rare occurrence, but the risk is there.

 

Even if your phone is well supported and the community keeps churning out releases regularly, eventually support will run out.

 

Rooted phones have very few use cases: basically only if you're a developer or a cyber security specialist. No-one else should be using one daily.

 

If you dislike planned obsolecense, I suggest you spend a bit more and buy an iPhone. While they are more expensive, you are paying for superior security, a bit more privacy than Android, and a minimum of 5 years of OS upgrades.

 

This is the main reason the prices of second hand Apple phones are pretty high when compared to second hand Samsung ones. Most Android manufacturers, including Samsung and Google, drop support for older phones after 2 or 3 years.

 

The image below is outdated (2018) but illustrates my point:

[4reaL]

Google Pixel 5

 

Android is their baby and you can basically manhandle the operating system.

[dabhand]

Have had a similar issue to the OP with my SCB app now needing an upgrade on my Android 5 and 6 phones (Galaxy J2 and J2 Prime) to work. Have also had similar issues with a couple of my UK banking apps.

 

So, took the plunge a couple of days back and ordered a Samsung A21s (as per the earlier poster).  This was via Lazada at Bt5,380 and am now awaiting it's arrival with fingers crossed that the product is genuine as advertised.

I would certainly agree with the built in obsolescence comment as, otherwise, I would not be upgrading at this time . Nice little earner for the manufacturers.

 

On the plus side, I will be passing the old mobiles to my grandkids, They will be delighted,

[vinny41]

Suggest the op should look at xda developers website for phones that can be easily be rooted and flashed

[topt]

3 hours ago, Sophon said:

Your banking app almost certainly won't work on a rooted device.

Using Magisk and Magisk Hide was generally a workable solution. However with what I have been reading on the XDA forum this is becoming more and more difficult especially with Android 11.  

 

3 hours ago, userabcd said:

it will receive 3 versions of OS upgrades, so up to android 12

Already on 11 for some phones and various custom roms for specific phones.

[topt]

3 hours ago, connda said:

than a phone that is known to be customizable, ie, a phone that can easily be rooted and flashed.

If possible try and avoid any phones with Mediatek processors as from what I read they can be more problematic if you go down the flashing route compared to Qualcomm.