Motherboard Upgrade to Run Modern Android?

[Windroid]

As most of you know: When an Android computer (and smartphones are handheld computers) is too old, it won't get Android updates anymore.
To run the latest Android, you usually need to get a new computer. But why's that? Why not just replace the motherboard? Why aren't there new motherboards sold for old computers, new motherboards which allow the computer to run a modern version of Android?

 

[Hadron]

You mean with physical compatibility with the old phone and firmware that's compatible with the old phone's components? It could be done, but it would have to be done on a model-by-model basis, which makes it expensive. The motherboard is already the most expensive component, volume will be much lower than the original phone which will make this more expensive yet. And since all of your data are soldered to the old motherboard replacing that means you have the same hassle as moving to a new phone, except you can't use the manufacturer's data transfer tool because you don't have both "phones" running at the same time. And when you've done all of this you still have an old battery, won't be able to take advantages of any new connectivity that's come in the meanwhile if that requires different antenna designs.

And then it's a different phone. You want updates, they are going to have to come from the manufacturer of your replacement motherboard, which is an extra cost for them to support it (I know you don't want to buy this and then never get an update for it). How long will they support it for, for a much smaller number of users, and what premium will you pay for that?

The bottom line is that I don't think there's a viable business model here.

 

[mikedt]

If only Project ARA had become a thing.

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Desktop computers can often have their mainboards and CPUs replaced with newer, if they follow PC industry standards like ATX and microATX. But of course there's no similar industry standards for laptop computers, tablet computers, and smart-phones. Every device is proprietary and does their own things.