When it no longer works. Current one is 4 years old and everything except the fingerprint scanner is still working fine.
Mine is 4 years old and still works perfectly fine. I did start looking at some phones with a better camera recently, because my wife got a new one not so long ago and the difference in picture quality is almost absurd. But then I have also started looking at getting an actual camera to remedy that, for the price of a flagship phone you can get some amazing digital camera's.
Same. I guess I'm hard on my phones, because usually I start having microphones, speakers, and buttons start failing at about the 2 year mark. My last phone was still perfect at the 2 year mark, but I dropped it on carpet from 2 feet off the ground and the touchscreen didn't work anymore. I was leaving on a trip like 3 days later, so I didn't have time to get it repaired.
So I'm pretty consistent about getting a new phone every 2 years.
I usually get mid-range phones, though. Like the cheap ones from high end brands. My current phone is the entry level pixel 7, which I got for $500. I don't really mind spending $500 every other year.
I usually keep my phone until it has degraded / become so incredibly slow, that I can't use it properly anymore.
People can (rightly) shit on Apple, but my phone has been working for 5 years now, still works quite well, with only the battery life being an issue. As long as easy charging is within reach, I’m unlikely to get a new phone.
I didn't realize people's phones actually broke down in less than 5 years, I thought they just upgraded because they wanted to.
I've had my Sony XZ2C since 2018 and I haven't had any issues. I'm sure the battery must have been better in the past but it easily lasts me the day, so I don't really notice.
Agree, iPhones' longevity is hard to beat
New batteries are really not a big deal, and keep the phones more useful up to the end. We keep iPhones in the family about 6 years, but halfway through replace the battery and give them to the kids
When it stops receiving OS version updates
Why upgrade when it still works?
The problem with waiting until it's totally and completely borked is then you have to panic scramble to get another phone instead of planning out a purchase. And I had difficulty doing this because my bank wanted to verify it was me making a large purchase...but my phone wouldn't work so I couldn't authenticate myself because that's how everyone authenticates themselves. It's a whole ordeal.
Granted, this can even theoretically happen with a new phone if you drop it or something. But at least with an old one, there are often signs before it goes completely kaput. My beloved cheap ass Motorola phone would bootloop occasionally and started doing it more and more often toward the end of its life. One morning before work it just totally died and would never turn on again, not even able to get the boot screen. (Troubleshooting revealed unfixable eMMC failure.) That was a fun couple of days trying to figure out how to buy a more expensive item without authenticating myself on my phone lol.
I usually sell my old phone and buy a new to me used phone. The cost for upgrading is usually only $100-150 for me and I typically end up getting a pretty massive upgrade hardware wise. I haven't had a brand new phone in over a decade now.
These days phones don't even make those big jumps anymore and these huge camera arrays really put me off anyway.
Only when it physically breaks beyond repair. And even then, sometimes I buy the same model again.
I take good care of my phones, so they physically last longer than the firmware does. I upgraded my Pixel 3a to a 7Pro because the 3a would start freezing, crashing apps, rebooting, etc, pretty much making it unusable for anything longer than a couple of phone calls or 15 minutes of internet/socials usage.
I imagine I'll have this phone for like 4-5 years, fingers crossed.
Only when forced to by the phone breaking, switching providers, or, as in the case of my last phone, when they shut down a network (2G).
Whenever it stops working.
This is the way.
Generally about every 4 years - I feel like it's the sweetspot between longevity and keeping up with the technology, plus that's usually around when updates stop and physical issues start
I switch phones when they become unusable, so about 4 years in my experience. That's plenty for me, especially since I buy older (cheaper) models. Also, I'm rough on my phones so I outfit them with heavy-duty cases from day one.
My previous phone was a LG Stylo 3. It lasted 5 years, albeit with greatly decreased battery capacity. I was just thinking of ordering a replacement battery when it suddenly bricked itself while charging... first time I ever lost a phone unexpectedly. Before it I had a Samsung Note 2 - its charging port started failing but I still managed to backup everything by hotwiring the battery.
I really wish we could repair phones more easily and cost-effectively. I just can't accept that something that costs ~500 CAD is "temporary", technological changes be damned.
When my battery dies or there is a REAL upgrade not just a new camera. Or my dog eats it (it happens)
Bruh
About four years on average. I would go longer, but at that point the phones I buy tend to go buggy. I buy phones in the € 250 to € 300 range.
My iPhone 8 from 2017 is still going strong, it replaced an iPhone 4 (2011-ish I think) when WhatsApp, the bank's app, and other important applications stopped working. I guess I'll have to switch later this year or maybe next since the battery life is getting too short and summers hit it good. I hope they make the iPhone 16 tough cause it has to last me until the put out the 32 to keep on this neat powers of two progression lol.
Work exposure to extreme heat and cold usually kills mine every year. I'm looking seriously at repairability.
As a younger man, I used to always get an upgrade after two years but I finally broke out of that cycle and finally got a SIM only contract and bought a decent mid range phone. It's now three years old, still working fine and I don't see myself changing it anytime soon.
Only when it breaks. My last phone I had from 2016-2022, the one before that from 2011-2016.
Whenever the one I have stops working. The last few have kept going for 2-3 years until they wouldn't charge. This time I have a case that covers the charge port from dust, I expect to keep it going 3-4 years.
I switched to mostly using wireless charging after the charging port wore out on my last two phones. Hopefully that will keep my 2.5 year old phone going for another year or two.
when I accidentally drop it and it somehow lands screen-first on the most pointy screen-protector-piercing object in a 300km radius
screen replacements either cost like more than half the price of the phone or I have to import the replacement from China
rather just upgrade
I used to upgrade every year, then every 3 years, and now have had the same phone since 2017.
I think this will be my last, I only use it for whatsapp, banking, and doomscrolling.
Every two years. The carrier I'm on has a thing where I keep the same plan if I get a new phone when the current one is paid, and they have a "phone of the month" that is always on a two-year plan with 20GB of data and unlimited calling and texting for about $35. Currently have the galaxy S22, which included the galaxy buds pro, so getting a new one this year. I always give my last one to a family member or friend that needs it.
When it stops receiving security updates.
3-5 years
I replaced my last phone after a year because my sister's phone broke. I gave her my s20 and bought a Pixel 7 because I wanted root
I wish I could say not very often. But the last few years I have made shit decisions with phones. I can't remember what phone I had when it started, but I think it was a Galaxy. It would mess gifs up and take hours to send them. One time it sent one to my friend at 3 am the next day.
So I switched to a Pixel (I figured I may as well go all in on the data sharing). It lasted for awhile but then I ran into issues with phone signal, ended up getting a new sim card and kept having the issue. Tried a new phone same issue, so I returned it and went back to my old one. Then this year I switched to a new Pixel (I'm poor now and it was free*). Surprise, surprise, I still have a lot of issues.
Best and first smartphone I ever had was the Nokia Windows phone, can't remember what it was called but it was brilliant aside from the lackluster app availability. I miss flip phones but I am scared to switch back to one because my laptop also sucks (thanks HP!).
When I'm forced to. My most recent phone was free because carries were upgrading to 5g and I was still rocking 3g. Same story with the phone before that but it was some other network thing I can't remember. I haven't paid for a phone in almost 10 years.
Around every three to four years, particularly for major photography-related upgrades.
When the phone doesn't serve it's purpose anymore, and/or is ungodly laggy. That can be anywhere between 3 months to 5 years.
I'm the kind of nerd who tracks this kind of thing, so here is a list of the number of months between purchasing each phone I've owned, from newest to oldest:
5, 44, 47, 28, 23, 18, 46, 40
The first number is 5 months from my latest phone purchase to the present day. I'm not looking to replace this device any time soon. The previous two phones I owned lasted a decent amount of time, nearly 4 years each. Before that I was buying cheaper second hand phones that didn't last as long. And if you go way back, the final two devices are pre-smartphone era where phones were simpler with less to go wrong and less need to upgrade.
Do you keep this kind of data on other areas of your life?
I know everything I've spent on video games/gaming hardware since 2016, and all the books I've read in the last couple of years.
Seriously. Man can draw up a normal distribution chart and calculate the stdev of his phone ownership.
3 years or so for me. That seems to be when my current phone starts to slow a bit, and when the newer phones have a new feature or two worth paying money for.
My current (Android, custom ROM that still gets updates) phone is 6 years old. I tend to upgrade when the phone breaks, the battery gives up, I hear of some severe vulnerability, or even these updates stop. As a replacement I get something used in the $100-150 range, so at least a couple years old. Maybe every 5 years or so.
Edit: The power bank is my friend.
Since I switched from iPhone to Android I've been getting a new phone every year. Even tried a Flip. You can sometimes get good deals as a Google Fi customer.
TL;DR: I've got a pile of not-that-old phones I should probably donate.
Donate some my way lol
When they become unusable due to freezing, bad hardware failures, etc. That has usually been around every 3-4 years.
Just got a new battery in my three year old phone. Hoping to get at least a fourth year out of it.
Thanks for starting this question: I have to figure out a new usage pattern
We have two kids who also need phones, so ….
New iPhones every 2-4 years. The kids get the previous ones with a new battery. Adults get new high end (iPhone 15 Pro 256 GB), kids get a recent phone (13 Pro 256GB). This past one was only 2 years because the previous had been 4 and the kids old ones were trash - iPhones are good for 6 years. Cost averages out to not quite as bad as it could be.
However my first kid is in college, so we really only have one more shot, before we adjust to him being an independent adult
I only upgrade when my current device becomes unusable.
I recently had to upgrade because the power connector for my LG V60 snapped off and it can't be charged anymore. I got it only a month or so after release so I had to have it for almost 4 years. Ain't nothing wrong with it other than the power port, but I figure it's probably cheaper to just use the free upgrade offered via my service plan than trying to fix this old phone that I can't even root. Before that I had a Samsung S4 (accidentally sat on it and busted the camera, the screen and bent the whole device) and before that was my first smartphone ever, the Nexus 4 (had it so long the battery itself just stopped holding a charge and finding a replacement at that time was impossible even though it had a replaceable battery).
Got a Pixel 8 since it was the least garbage device I could get. I'm not all that happy with it, but most of that is simply because it's carrier locked so I can't enable OEM Unlocking until it's completely paid off.
Used to be a yearly guy. Then I moved out and yeah, suddenly that wasn't a thing anymore. Got into a decent habit of only upgrading every two years, and now I try to make the phones last me three years if possible.
I got my current phone in 2020 and I'm thinking of replacing one of the parts soon (it's a Fairphone). The one before I got in 2015 and was a cheap and cheerful Huawei smartphone that got sadder over time. The one before that someone had given me in 2006 or something because he was getting a new phone; that was similar to this one on the right: link. Before that was some sliding phone. Before that I had a Nokia Ngage, and that was when I decided I didn't need all the bells and whistles.
So to calculate the average: (4+5+9+2+2)/5=4 years, 5 months ish.
When it breaks + the replacement cost as much as the phone costs (I generally buy secondhand)
when its clearly on the stretcher ill upgrade, otherwise im still happy with my s9+
When I stop getting security patches or can't salvage it after a drop. Replaced a screen on my galaxy s20 it cost me $300 but it turns out the replace everything but the motherboard and the cameras. I was pretty pissed about that because it was needlessly waist full and it cost me more.
Usually around 2-3 years. That's usually around when my current phone stops receiving software updates and by then I can find a good deal on an outgoing model.
For instance I upgraded to a Pixel 7 Pro when the 8 came out. I sold my 6 Pro for a decent amount and my total cost of upgrading was something like 300 bucks which was worth it to me to not have to worry about it for another few years.
Current phones 6 years old. I’ll upgrade this year and hope to get a similar length of time out of it. Phones are made of minerals likely mined in the DR congo using child labour. I cannot in good conscience support that industry more.
I’m upgrading because my phone is getting really slow, overheating frequently and will likely not receive a software update this year.
I used to have iphone or samsung on contract, and would upgrade every 4 years when the phone could no longer handle new apps well and the battery life got too bad.
Switched recently to SIM only contract and bought a sony; am interested to see how long this one lasts.
only when I inevitably drop it in water and it won't boot anymore, except for when rice magically makes it boot again
Usually once a year maybe once every two years. All my work stuff is tied to my phone from email and IM to expense reports and slack. Need it to run well or I am stuck in slow mode
I have a 5 year old Xiaomi 9, the only issue is that the battery doesn't hold power anymore. Need roughly 4 charges/day and I believe it's bloated because when I leave it to charge for too long the screen would bump up a bit.
Only changed it late last year when company handed me a xiaomi 13.
I feel that the lifetime of phones is heavily dependant on their make. Huawai lasted me 1 year before it became a chore to use. My oneplus phones have both served me well, lasting some 5 years. The first one was replaced as the screen gave up, but my op7 still going strong with no notable performance or battery issues (only thing being that the company has started installing ads).
The oneplus phones did also cost about twice as much as my huawai phone, so that is to be considered.
OP7 gang, mine is still going strong and its hard to find phones nowadays without a holepunch camera so I hope it'll last me another couple of years!
Around four years.
Whenever I find a deal I can take advantage of by leveraging the old devices worth.
Usually it's when I start feeling bored with my current phone, but there has to be a new phone out there that I'm interested in, unless something breaks like the charging port, but generally when I'm bored of the one I got.
Every 2-3 years, because of contract length.
However, the last time I upgraded to my current phone was 2018.
Usually when it gets to the point the camera app takes too many seconds to open, although for my last phone it didn't like going for a swim. Now the backlight only works if the phone is warm. New LCD on order.
About three years I guess normally.
- for 3y - galaxy grand prime
- for 2y - huawei p20 lite, would still use it if i didn't destroy it Now :mi 11 lite 5g - from 2021, board, display issues, annoyed by absence of the headphone jack.
- pinephone (terrible hardware, but suprisingly good software) after the destruction of p20 lite until the 11lite
When they stop getting software updates or i find a newer one really cheap.
Every 2-3 years I'd say. I kept my previous phone, a Samsung Galaxy A50, until its contract ran out and sold it afterwards (didn't really like it that much tbh). I plan on using my Pixel 6 Pro for as long as possible, though.
Whenever it breaks, really.
I've had this phone I pretty much got for free since 2016 I believe (2 for 1 offer), and even though battery has gotten pretty weak recently, it works quite well as long as I don't watch videos.
Whenever someone else gives me their old one. I let the updates happen automatically if that's what you're asking though.
upgraded from my iphone 8 in 2 or so years because my carrier basically gave me a free phone, and i plan to run this one into the ground. next i want to get the fairphone so that i can repair it myself
i still use a 'dumb' phone. it gets replaced when it physically breaks to the point it's falling apart. i'm on my sixth one in 22 years. two of those were used on a second line i no longer have.
