I don't buy phones for my parents, but I am the person they ask for advice when they need new ones. For years, I've recommended Moto G phones. With the announcement of the Galaxy A16 5G coming to the US, Samsung Electronics has given me a reason to change my advice.

Affordable Smartphones Are All My Parents Require

I understand your point. The Galaxy A series doesn't usually make the news like other models do. While it’s popular among millions, it's not the phone that most people aspire to own. Those who have a Galaxy A are often either indifferent to smartphones altogether or are simply using this model as a temporary solution until they can afford their desired device.

My parents belong to the first category. They own phones out of necessity rather than desire. Just a few years ago, my mom finally switched from her flip phone. Meanwhile, my dad often leaves his phone at home and doesn't seem to mind much.

I generally recommend that they get a Moto G. The phones are within their budget, they hold up decently enough, and (until recently) they didn't come with much bloat. My parents have been happy with them. There are plenty of reasons for people, in general, to gloss over flagship phones in favor of budget ones.

The Drawbacks of Many Affordable Smartphones

One of the drawbacks of many budget smartphones is the limited software support they receive. To maintain affordability, manufacturers often skimp on long-term updates. Many users are lucky to receive even one upgrade to the next major Android version. Frequently, the Android version that comes pre-installed on the device is the last one it will ever see.

Again, my parents aren't the kind of people who will notice or care. But that doesn't mean tech enthusiasts should skip budget phones, and everyone else will be just peachy. Unsupported phones eventually end up with widely known, unpatched software vulnerabilities. They're the models easiest for nefarious types to take advantage of. Plus, it's hard to be selective about your phone updates when there aren't any to begin with.

Google has sought to address the problem by shifting additional components from Android into Google Play Services. While budget smartphones receive updates for Google Play software, there are still essential elements of the device that remain unaddressed and unchanged.

How Samsung Electronics's New Budget Phone Is Different

With the Galaxy A16 5G, Samsung Electronics is solving this problem, and it's solving it in a big way. The Galaxy A16 will not get just one or two years of software updates. It will get six. Six!

Just a few years ago, it was normal for $1000 Android phones to go unsupported after a couple of years. That's still your lot in life if you opt to buy a gaming phone. Seven years of software support is a big reason to choose a Pixel or premium Samsung Electronics Galaxy phone over other Android devices, like the very compelling phones from OnePlus. OnePlus phones don't yet have the same staying power.

In 2024, it was impressive to see Google commit to seven years of support for the mid-range Pixel 8a. Credit goes where credit's due, but that phone still starts at $500. At $200, the Galaxy A16 5G launches at less than half the starting price. The Pixel 8a is more comparable to the $400 Galaxy A35, which hit the US in 2024 with five years of promised updates.

I love high-end phones as much as the next person. As a Galaxy Z Fold 6 owner, I carry around one of the most expensive phones you can buy (granted, I bought mine used for around the price of a 256GB base iPhone). Yet these are the kinds of changes I'm most excited to see. A short life cycle has long been an area where Android phones suffer, and this is not only changing for the high end of the market but at the more affordable end as well.