Ledger Nano S hardware wallet was first released in 2016 and it's arguably still one of the most popular hardware wallets in the world with millions of sold devices.
I will post here my reasons why I wouldn't buy this device again, and I will post ways how you can try to fix some of the Nano S problems (if possible).
1. Closed SourceLedger Nano S is closed source device with no intention to change that in future, that means it could potentially store hidden backdoor for years.
Firmware updates are often causing more problems and only few closed circle of people is working on it.
There are even cases when updating devices with new firmware simply breaks the device and makes it unusable.
How to Fix this? Switch to other open source hardware wallets, or ask Ledger developers to release their code.
2. Small MemoryMemory for Ledger Nano S is very small with around
144kb 138Kb, but even bigger problem is that size of apps for coins is growing all the time and memory stays the same.
With recent 2.0.0 update size of Bitcoin app has grown from 40kb to 64kb, that means you can support less coins on your device at the same time.
Developers now claim this is only temporary but I don't believe them because it's getting bigger constantly.
How to Fix this? Uninstall apps that you don't use on regular basis, or use only Bitcoin app.
3. Display dies after few yearsLedger Nano S is using cheap OLED display that will die or start to dim usually after few years even if you don't use device so often.
How to Fix this? Easiest way to prolong life of your display is to change and
reduce brightness in settings and keep device in dry place.
If you already have faulty display you can order new
cheap display online or locally and replace it yourself following this
video instructions.
Some people are even using
smartphone cameras to see characters on dim display.
Last and most expensive option is to buy new hardware wallet and import your seed words.
4. Cheap plastic bodyNano S is made from cheap plastic that gets broken easily if you hold it stronger when removing USB cable.
How to Fix this? You can try to superglue the plastic, but you should be extra careful when handling and removing cable.
Maybe it's possible to make custom 3d printed case or order it online from other people, but I couldn't find one myself.
5. Nano S could soon be discontinuedLedger have a history of defunct and
discontinued products like Ledger HW.1, Ledger Nano, Ledger Unplugged and Ledger Blue.
One more thing is that Nano S is using old Micro-USB to USB Type-A cable, and most of devices switched to USB Type-C.
How to Fix this? Simple. Don't buy Ledger Nano S.
6. Bad Multisig supportLedger is probably one of the worst hardware wallets you can use for your multisig setup.
You can't display own or cosigner xpub on demand, it's not showing Electrum Zpub and Ypub formats, xpubs are not registered inside the device, and ledger is not
showing multisig receive address for verification, it always assumes that cosigners are trustworthy.
How to Fix this? Use other wallets for your multisig setup and avoid Ledger and Trezor for this purpose.
7. Leaking personal informationLedger leaked personal information for millions of their customers leaking everything including full names, address and phone numbers.
How to Fix this? Buy in local reseller or use PO boxes when ordering your device.
8. Bad supportLedger has one of the worst support I ever saw, that is very slow and they probably have small stuff so there is really no fix for this, except if they hire more people.
Price of Nano S is currently around 60€ (+shipping) and that is not a lot today but considering all I mentioned above I don't think it's worth the money.
It's still a better option that Nano X epic fail with battery issues, and probably better option than keeping coins on hot wallet.
Are there any alternative hardware wallets? Yes there are, but you need to pay a bit more money and get better quality and open source device.
Do your own research.
5. Nano S could soon be discontinued
Achtung achtung! Attention Attention!
I am not a prophet but I can think with my head and here comes confirmation of my words I previously wrote multiple times even in this topic.
Reason for Ledger Nano S constantly reducing space for apps is now very much clear to everyone who wants to see.
Pascal Gauthier CEO and Chairman of Ledger announced at ledgerop3n that Ledger will release NEW Ledger Nano S device that will support more coins, more apps, and bigger screen.
That means that current Nano S device is not going to be manufactured anymore and soon it will not be supported with updates, exactly the same thing happened with Ledger HW.1, Ledger Nano, Ledger Unplugged and Ledger Blue devices.
I also saw his recent interview for Protocol and Gauthier said that his biggest competition hardware wallet will be upcoming Block wallet developed by jack Dorsey team.
He said that Ledger is not focused on Bitcoin like Block and he basically said that Ledger is just a shitcoin wallet that is probably going to evolve into phone
https://www.protocol.com/fintech/ledger-crypto-wallet-pascal-gauthierhttps://twitter.com/Ledger/status/1468869997510418433Conclusion: Ledger Nano S will be discontinued soon, so don't waste your money purchasing it now.
Dann kann man sich alle paar Jahre immer wieder einen neuen Ledger kaufen.