Keep in mind that "a few years" means ~7 years - that's the Mindstorms release cycle. And there's no guarantee there will be more advanced stuff. In fact, observing the current trend, I would not be surprised if the next Mindstorms will have to use your mobile device instead of the brick. It kinda does so already - you can't debug on the new brick.
You mentioned a Java class - if you're a CS student, I would actually advise going with EV3 - like people say, it can run Linux, and you can program in many other languages, not just Python. I am a software engineer myself, and I don't work with Python. That was my primary reason to pick EV3 - I am more into C++ or Rust. Maybe this option will become available in the new set also in the future, but if that will happen, and when that will happens - who knows.
Hey folks, I am new on this excellent forum although have been a reader for a while. I am recently seem to be having a trouble with EV3 IR sensor. It always shows proximity ~40, even when there's nothing around. I understand it should be either 100 or 0, not 40? Remote control also behaves strangely. I had dropped the thing not so long ago, so I'm wondering if something is now wrong with it. Have anyone had a similar issue? How do I debug these things and check if it's broken? Is it worth writing to Lego support with this? Curious about people's experience. Thanks!