How often do you buy a new phone? And why do you buy it with the frequency that you do?

Question

OneViewpoint · Accepted Answer

Well my current phone is an iPhone 11 Pro bought in the fall of 2019. So it's approaching 6 years old with the original battery. I'll keep using it until it either dies or Apple stops supporting iOS upgrades for it. That's pretty typical for me.

Here's my thinking regarding pocket computers, aka mobile phones. Early on competition differentiated the players with battery life, screen quality, user interface and OS, App libraries, cameras, durability, storage space, etc.

But phones became a commodity around 2014 when the iPhone 6 was released. And LTE data networks were pretty well built out where I live in the USA. That device was "good enough" for my needs. It did everything I needed and it was reliable.

That's when I felt mobile devices basically became light bulbs or toasters. They all did everything well enough, iPhone or Android. So I have no reason to "upgrade". My 6 year old phone makes toast just fine. I'm replacing my mobile device only if it breaks, gets damaged, or lost.

When I replace it I go on (in my case) Apple's website and buy the oldest cheapest version they are still selling. Right now that would be an iPhone 15 with 128 GB of storage for $700 vs the iPhone 16 pro with 128 GB for $1,000. But I'll shop Android phones too and take the best deal I can find. There simply hasn't been any real revolutionary improvement in 5-6 years and there's really nothing that sets one device apart from the rest for me these days. My phone isn't a status symbol for me. I just need it to do basic stuff well and be reliable.

petitedollbabee · Accepted Answer

When my current one craps itself. So usually 3-4 years, think the max has been 5 years. I always buy cheaper, outdated models, so it usually takes a few years for the software to make the phone barely functional due to lag and glitching. Plus my usage.

DangerouslyCute · Accepted Answer

every 3 or 4 years... mostly because applications I use require more resources :D

Red_Arrow · Answer

I can't remember how long I have had my iPhone. But it has continued to serve me well with no need the change it. I have it paired with my watch so I can get notifications without looking at the phone and the notifications include such things as my heart rate and if it is irregular. In fact, there are all kinds of features including alarms that tap on my wrist. I listen to an oldies station that does not announce names of songs or artists, just plays them, but I listen with airpods and the song names and artists show up on my watch. No need to change up at all.

WhiteSteve · Answer

As infrequently as possible, haha. I’d say they last me 3-4 years, typically. I’m not someone who needs the latest and greatest technology. I don’t even take many pictures, so camera upgrades are pretty irrelevant to me as well.

Usually the battery stops holding a charge for long, eventually, or it’ll be freezing up on me (I’m still convinced Apple does this by design😒), and that’s when I’ll finally break down and get a new one. Ideally I wait for a new release, then buy the previous year’s model at a discount.

Zack-Bann · Answer

As rarely as I can
I tend to rock it till the wheels fall off as they say

I see no point in swapping out a device that works

But I also buy the latest model
I have an iPhone 16 Pro right now for example
It’s new today
Old tomorrow
But at least it should last a few good years

MrOracle · Answer

I buy expensive, high-end flagship phones in cash, and I try to keep them for at least 4 years. My current phone is over 3 years old and there is nothing on the market that even has these features (especially an SD card) so I may still be with this phone for a few years.

NathanDavis · Answer

not often at all... maybe every five or six years

earlier if I definitely have to do that

I don't really depends on my smartphone that much, so I don't really need the newest nor the most capable ones... any basic phone from few years ago is enough for me

Tarifa · Answer

Hardly ever. I bought my second phone when my first had a severe issue with charging. It heated up so badly it became dangerous.

I bought my third phone when the second one got severely outdated and slow, plus I needed better video capabilities. Not because I wanted to, but because I needed it.

So that's three phones in 15 or 20 years.

dislikesmath · Answer

Eduardo (me) has 5-20 extra dollars, my brain thinks yessss spend yessss, spend on a phone yess. I recently bought two in sealed box Chinese phones. Someone was selling them for 5 dollars eduardos brain couldn't help it together. im using one right now it's good.

Lliam · Answer

I still have an i8 that I bought years ago. LOL
I only bought it when Apple stopped supporting 3G that my i6s used.

I'll keep using things until they wear out. I don't care about the latest gadgets or new technology unless they actually improve my life. I don't consider a new phone to be an improvement or necessity. And sometimes old is actually better, such as with cars.

Orion84 · Answer

I'm cheap AF, so I only buy a new phone when my current phone dies, or is otherwise rendered unreliable (bad battery, etc).

My current phone is 5.5 years old, and still runs like it's brand new, so it'll be sticking around for a while longer.

talka20 · Answer

My first phone that i bought was samsung galaxy core prime (2016 january-2020 januray)... bec it went tooooo slow and annoyed me a lot

January 2020 i got samsung galaxy a10s... after 2 years i changed... same reason

Then i got samsung galaxy a12... after around one and a half year it got broken bec it fell off my pocket while i was on the motorbike... so i got Samsung galaxy a05 in June 2024

Massageman · Answer

One of my son-in-laws is a Computer Tech for a big company. He answers our questions and keeps us up-to-date with new releases of phones and whether not they are worth the expense.

A strategy he uses a lot is to buy the mid-line model that is just going to be replaced at the end of a "version", usually around September/October.

Jersey2 · Answer

I buy one when I think it adds new value. Sometimes that is a much better camera. My last INR I bought to get satellite SOS service as I go out far at sea on my own to fish at times and need such a device. Previously I used something called a Zoleo to do the job but now have a phone that can do it.

art84 · Answer

I got one last year cause my mom had got me an Samsung Ultra 22 for Christmas. I had used that phone for a few months and when a new update popped up, I downloaded it. When updating the phone, my phone just froze. I tried letting it run of battery life then charged it again, nothing. I normally will upgrade every three years at the least.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

I just remember how  my bank forced me , in 2019 or something, to buy a new phone. Because their app, required for two-factor authentication, was not compatible with my Samsung from 2016 🙄

Brandi555 · Answer

I usually just wait till my current one is jacked up enough and my contract ends so I get a good deal for a new one. I honestly don’t care the model, they all do the same thing. Like every time I get a new one, I’m like ok my old phone does the same thing lol

BCRanger10 · Answer

When the old one burns out. I had my last phone for nearly six years. I've had my current one for almost two.

exitseven · Answer

I had my previous phone for 11 years. It was my wife;s old flip phone. My current phone is 3 years old. when it is too old to update the operating system I will buy a new one.

Drumlin2001 · Answer

When my old one breaks. Usually 3 or 4 years. I hate changing it, all the set up and getting everything working

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Whenever one breaks down or is badly damaged.

I'd wish to not need one at all - but reality does not allow for it.

time wise (considering only those that you can smear your greasy fingers on) ... I'm now on my 4th in 9 years.

BriGinny · Answer

I buy a new phone whenever the current one stops functioning to my liking. I want my phone to do all the the things I pay for it to do and all the extras I bought it for.

Simslover92 · Answer

Not that often. Had my current Galaxy S10 plus for over 4 years now and it's still going strong.

DCVsMarvel2 · Answer

I bought a phone in 2019, the XR. It took me 6 years to get a new, one, and it wasn't even me who bought it, it came free with my parents 16's, i got the 15, because that was the deal.

I got a free phone!

jshm2 · Answer

Every year. Get them for free as my business pays for them.

Miristheiss · Answer

I use my phone until it is about to die. I'd say I get one maybe every 3 or 4 years.

strateguy632 · Answer

I waited until the phone was acting old and a hassle.

michael3478 · Answer

When the phone no longer receives security updates unless i break it before then lol.

douride2 · Answer

Well put it this way I'm still using my old flip phone. I'm not sure how old it is. When it quits working I may buy a new one.

Grond21 · Answer

Every 5 years or so. They seem to last that long at minimum. Unless you have an iPhone, then they last less

WhitneySnow · Answer

Every couple years. Not sure. Just seems like a good time.

jazzy34 · Answer

When I need to. I’ve believed in buying the latest and greatest “just because.”

Shiprex · Answer

Usually about 4 or 5 years because by then it's been broken or damaged.

jamesgoldman · Answer

When the current one goes wrong My shortest ones have lasted mere weeks but the best ones have done I think a couple of years

es20490446e · Answer

I just keep repairing it. It never dies, like Dracula.

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

Only it breaks or the service no longer works. I'm not a cell phone person.

WonderingManII · Answer

Only when it either doesn't work or the technology can't be used for other reason.

Raam1994 · Answer

Maximum 4 years once. Depends on the phone condition.

Josef_89 · Answer

The one I use now is my second smartphone in my life  I don't change phones very often

Anonymous · Answer

Haven’t gotten one since 2019 , I need a new one

Vevv123 · Answer

Not often, unless it brakes.

Genie23 · Answer

Every year or year and a half.

ilistengood · Answer

About every 2 or 3 years, once I've paid it off.

Staximus · Answer

I buy a new one when the old one breaks

Dongie · Answer

About every 4 years maybe 5.

jahaims · Answer

When the planned obsolescence kicks in

seeyounexttuesday · Answer

I usually get one every 3-4 years.

msc545 · Answer

about every 5 years.

Anonymous · Answer

Once in several years, or less.

eagle1951 · Answer

when i wash the old one

DrPepper12 · Answer

When it's free... 🤑

How often do you buy a new phone? And why do you buy it with the frequency that you do?

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