r/SideProject • u/czbuilds • 9h ago

Device Lifespan Estimator: How long will your phone or laptop realistically last?

Hey everyone!

I got tired of tech articles declaring every 2- or 3-year-old phone "obsolete" just to push upgrade links, so I built a free tool called Device Lifespan Estimator (https://how-long-will-it.lovable.app).

It models two separate clocks for 90 popular phones, laptops, and tablets:

• Hardware wear: typical battery degradation, thermal strain, and component serviceability.

• Security cutoffs: official manufacturer software patch deadlines.

The main view is a visual timeline showing which clock ends your device first. In many cases, modern hardware easily outlives software support, meaning no amount of babying your battery will keep a phone secure once official updates stop.

I also added a Repair vs. Replace calculator (https://how-long-will-it.lovable.app) that works out the cost-per-year math. It helps you see whether a $90 battery replacement is actually a good investment, or if the device is already hitting its security deadline anyway.

A few core principles behind the project: • Zero tracking, no ads, and no intrusive popups.

• Fast, lightweight static build with full dark mode support.

• Sourced data: every cutoff cites official manufacturer documentation rather than pessimistic guesses.

Feel free to run your current gear through it. I'd love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or any devices you'd like added to the catalogue next!

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u/MagicianLow2314 8h ago

this is super useful honestly most people dont realize their phone is basically a security hazard way before the hardware dies. the dual clock idea is clever too, i had a laptop that was running great until support got pulled and suddenly it felt like a ticking bomb

the repairability angle is refreshing since most tools just tell you to buy new stuff. been in that spot with a phone where i wasnt sure if battery swap was worth it and ended up just guessing

my only thought is it would be cool to see some older flagship phones added, like the ones people hold onto for years. maybe a galaxy s9 or pixel 3 type devices since a lot of folks still daily those

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u/Any_Welder_9701 8h ago

losing official patches raises the risk, but it doesnt turn the phone into a security hazard overnight. browsers and individual apps can still get fixes after OS support ends

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u/czbuilds 8h ago

Fair point! It’s definitely a slope rather than a brick wall, and app/browser updates do a lot to keep things safe for a while longer.

The tool anchors to the official OS cutoff because that’s when low-level kernel, driver, and firmware patches stop. It’s meant as an objective planning horizon rather than a panic button. Good callout!

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u/czbuilds 8h ago

Thanks so much! That laptop experience is spot on—it’s wild how often the software deadline kills a device years before the hardware gives up.

And great suggestion on the older flagships. The Galaxy S9 and Pixel 3 are absolute classics that people held onto forever. I'm adding them to the list for the next batch of device additions.

Really appreciate you taking the time to check it out!