Device longevity

When apps require the latest processors, maximum RAM, or the newest operating systems, older devices become obsolete, not because they're broken but because software excludes them. This creates a cycle where perfectly functional hardware ends up discarded because products won't run on it anymore.

Supporting older devices requires testing on legacy hardware and optimizing for lower specifications. Implement progressive enhancement where core functionality works everywhere while advanced features activate on capable devices. Use feature detection rather than assuming all users have the same capabilities. Provide settings that let users on older devices disable resource-intensive features like animations or high-resolution images.

Balance backward compatibility with innovation by defining a support window based on actual usage data. If less than 5% of users have devices older than 3 years, supporting beyond that point offers diminishing returns. Focus optimization efforts on the device generations that represent your primary user base, ensuring the product performs well for most people rather than barely running on everything.