[usr1106]

The answer there would be strong "rights to repair" legislation. In the most affected markets it would be a viable option to go to the phone shop and have a new operating system image installed for 20 Euros/Dollars.

But those markets don't have the legal power against Google or Samsung.

And markets that would have the legal power, don't care about unnecessary electronic waste ruining the planet.

(Sent from Android 4.1 without Playstore.)

[epse]

The scenario you describe unfortunately requires more than just right to repair. It requires the SoC vendors to either keep updating their kernels, or to open source their driver blobs. Without these, you can't build a proper new OS image, you're stuck on the latest one provided by the SoC manufacturer.

[berkes]

In practice, updates might be possible, but you'll often see hardware stopping working.

If it is "just" bluetooth, that may be fine. When networking (wifi/GSM) or the screen stops working, it probably is not.

I've done a fair bit of upgrades of ancient android phones to CyanogenMod, LineageOs and even an accidental Ubuntu Touch. Fairly common that things like the camera or bluetooth stop working (partly), but for many owners of old phones, that is certainly a trade to make. "I never use Bluetooth, what could you use it for?", "Oh, but then I'll just use this jack-cable for my sonos").

What I'm trying to say: yes: updates require SoC vendors to help, or at least stay out of the way. But no, that does not mean one cannot ever update at all.