I have used my Android 9 flagship smartphone for 6 years without issues, but had all sorts of issues on iOS when I avoided updates, specifically with apps, missing or broken.
Unlike iOS, most feature updates on Android are apps, not OS versions. iOS tends to be monolithic.
You don't need to update to use the latest apps or security updates (which is also a patch), at least for a while.
Android updates would make sense if the smartphone hardware advancments stop and the battery is easily replacable for a decade usage and more.
e.g 8+ year old Android 7 devices are still supported and usable but slow.
Many manufactures release OS updates without incrementing the version, they're usually low level fixes (mic, battery, speaker, sleep etc).
Why would you avoid iOS updates? I only buy middle of the line used iPhones about every 3 years, and had no issues all the way into EOL. Apple keeps their phones updated for 6+ years and they always run smoothly. It's like the only great thing I can say about the company. Changing the battery yourself is easy too.
Widget updates impacting task switcher and home screen with lag circa version 15/16 and battery drain on some models.
While this is anecdotal, they don't always run smoothly at least statistically, and no software is always flawless...
Arguably one could say that the major iOS versions don't have major differences while Android does. E.g 9 to 10 has major graphic stack overhaul and 12+ has major app API changes. iOS 12-13 is significant while 13-16 has less core changes and more UI/UX relatively etc. Android upgrades are technical and under the hood, usually hardware specific changes and API. Most people can't tell between Android 6 and 14 with vendor skin/theme.
The point is you can keep an Android phone updated without changing the major version. You don't have to update the entire OS for the notes app like in iOS which I had to do because the Mac app refused to sync. You could also get major UI changes and new OS integrated features like quick share with app updates on the same Android version.
Changing battery on any modern smartphone isn't easy and very risky for the average person.
For the younger crowd, checkout smartphones before 2016, many had the ability to replace the battery under 10 seconds, though the point is that it's user serviceable.
Unlike iOS, most feature updates on Android are apps, not OS versions. iOS tends to be monolithic.
You don't need to update to use the latest apps or security updates (which is also a patch), at least for a while.
Android updates would make sense if the smartphone hardware advancments stop and the battery is easily replacable for a decade usage and more. e.g 8+ year old Android 7 devices are still supported and usable but slow.
Many manufactures release OS updates without incrementing the version, they're usually low level fixes (mic, battery, speaker, sleep etc).