In terms of batteries causing electronic waste, buying a new battery for an old phone is pretty much the same as receiving a battery with a new phone.
That was my point
Then I missed it. I though that you were arguing for building new phones and batteries, instead of just making batteries for old phones. I still content that buying new batteries to keep old phones going, instead of buying new phones, reduces the total electronic waste.
My point is that good hardware is being thrown away unnecessarily because manufacturers aren't supporting it for its full useful lifetime.
No one is stopping you from putting whatever software you want on a galaxy nexus, unlike phones from other manufacturers.
No argument from me here. Doesn't change the fact that it is bad form of Google not to provide an update the Google Galaxy Nexus.
Battery technology might also improve more rapidly in this scenario.
I don't think having stagnant markets is a great way to boost improve technology.
I disagree. If phones were required to last 5 years, it might encourage an arms race to produce the longest lasting battery, rather than the current scenario, in which manufacturers try to create the phone that can drain the battery the fastest. Consider: Manufacturer 1: my battery gives you 24 hours of high-usage battery life and will last 5 years, versus, Manufacturer 2: my battery gives you 8 hours of high-usage battery life and you will need a new battery after two years. I suspect that a fair number of people would buy a Google Galaxy Nexus today if Google still supported it, or a Google Nexus 4 is Google still sold it.
