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How long do you keep your phones?
- Thread starter Celcius
- Start date
nightmare-slain
Member
I actually calculated this a while back and worked it out that on average I kept my phone for ~16 months before replacing it.
The shortest amount of time I had a phone was 1 month before I got bored of it. Until I bought my current phone the longest I kept a single phone was exactly 2 years.
My current phone is now setting a record as I've had it for 2 years 7 months. I was going to sell it and get the new iPhone 15 when it launches later this year but honestly I don't see any good reason to replace it. My phone still works perfectly and apart from some minor scratches around the charging port it is in great condition because I've had it in a case with a screen protector since the day I got it. Battery health is at 88% and still gets me through the day but I have noticed I am charging it more often now. If it starts to bother me then I can get Apple to replace the battery.
My phone should get another 2 major OS updates (not including iOS 17 coming out this year).... I think. So really I won't replace my phone until it is no longer supported, it breaks, or I feel it's time for a new phone.
When I bought it I told myself I was going to keep it for 3+ years because I was tired of buying a new phone all the time. It was mid range phones I was buying and that's why I went with the iPhone 12 Pro Max which was the latest and greatest at the time. I didn't mind spending the money because I knew I'd keep it for a long time. What iPhone I get next I'll go for the highest end model again and keep it another 3+ years. I love new tech and was excited for new smartphones but I guess I got bored of them. Even for an idiot like me there is no reason to buy a new smartphone all the time anymore.
The shortest amount of time I had a phone was 1 month before I got bored of it. Until I bought my current phone the longest I kept a single phone was exactly 2 years.
My current phone is now setting a record as I've had it for 2 years 7 months. I was going to sell it and get the new iPhone 15 when it launches later this year but honestly I don't see any good reason to replace it. My phone still works perfectly and apart from some minor scratches around the charging port it is in great condition because I've had it in a case with a screen protector since the day I got it. Battery health is at 88% and still gets me through the day but I have noticed I am charging it more often now. If it starts to bother me then I can get Apple to replace the battery.
My phone should get another 2 major OS updates (not including iOS 17 coming out this year).... I think. So really I won't replace my phone until it is no longer supported, it breaks, or I feel it's time for a new phone.
When I bought it I told myself I was going to keep it for 3+ years because I was tired of buying a new phone all the time. It was mid range phones I was buying and that's why I went with the iPhone 12 Pro Max which was the latest and greatest at the time. I didn't mind spending the money because I knew I'd keep it for a long time. What iPhone I get next I'll go for the highest end model again and keep it another 3+ years. I love new tech and was excited for new smartphones but I guess I got bored of them. Even for an idiot like me there is no reason to buy a new smartphone all the time anymore.
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NoLootBoxDev
Member
EverydayBeast
thinks Halo Infinite is a new graphical benchmark
Upgrading just to upgrade might not be the move to make, I let apple retool their phones for a few years and if the opportunity is there I’ll upgrade.
Susurrus
Member
I got my Pixel 4A (5G) back when it released Sep 2020 and don't intend to replace it soon.
Before that I had an Xperia XA2 which I had for several years. It still functions fine, I even booted it up recently to let my son use it to watch stuff on during an upcoming 15 hours of flying/direction. The problem I was having though is because the Xperia was a German one that I picked up from Media Markt when I lived there, and when I moved back to the US and got T-Mobile, the bands didn't line up very well and I had awful signal in most places. Dealt with it for a bit over a year, and when the Pixel 4A (5G) came out, it was enough reason for me to get a new phone, both to get on the appropriate bands, and to get 5G, so ordered via Best Buy.
Before that I had an Xperia XA2 which I had for several years. It still functions fine, I even booted it up recently to let my son use it to watch stuff on during an upcoming 15 hours of flying/direction. The problem I was having though is because the Xperia was a German one that I picked up from Media Markt when I lived there, and when I moved back to the US and got T-Mobile, the bands didn't line up very well and I had awful signal in most places. Dealt with it for a bit over a year, and when the Pixel 4A (5G) came out, it was enough reason for me to get a new phone, both to get on the appropriate bands, and to get 5G, so ordered via Best Buy.
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DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
Before, it was like 2 years. I think this time it'll be longer. I have the OnePlus 11... It's still amazing after all these months... This might be my first 4 year phone.
Icymanipulator
Member
I’m usually on a 4 year plan. Currently rocking the 12pro max, had the 8 plus before this. There’s no incentive for me get a new phone every year, incremental upgrades and all that…
That said my charging port is fucked up because it got so much keif and plant juice in it while working at a grow during Covid. Nothing I’ve been able to do has gotten it back to 100% unless I use a wireless charger. Or I have to position the phone standing up so it helps press the lighting cable in, and even then it’s a gamble what % I’ll be at.
That said my charging port is fucked up because it got so much keif and plant juice in it while working at a grow during Covid. Nothing I’ve been able to do has gotten it back to 100% unless I use a wireless charger. Or I have to position the phone standing up so it helps press the lighting cable in, and even then it’s a gamble what % I’ll be at.
Tams
Member
Once they include a silo in the Fold (and ideally put their best cameras in it), then I'll jump on that ship again. Otherwise the 2019 Fold I have serves me very well. I didn't mind paying as much as a telly, as, frankly, I use a smartphone much more than a telly. And now that I have some display glasses (not AR despite what they market them as), I can use it even more.
Melon Husk
Member
I think my next phone will be a foldable. Foldables are not quite "ready" yet, so it'll be some years before an upgrade.
edit: Current phone is 2 years old? 3? Switching to a new phone is always a hassle, I'm not into doing that too often.
edit: Current phone is 2 years old? 3? Switching to a new phone is always a hassle, I'm not into doing that too often.
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Mossybrew
Member
This thread inspired me to finally upgrade, I realized it had been six years since I got my last phone and it was far from top of the line back then. I just got another budget (under $300) Samsung and holy hell why did I hang on to that slow old piece of shit for so long. Performance is insanely better.
Trogdor1123
Gold Member
Wife wanted a new phone so I bought her a 14 pro max, I’ve informed her that she will be keeping it for a long while…
Muffdraul
Member
I guess about 3 years, maybe a little more. I got my first smartphone in 2014 and I got my third one a few months ago. Basically I hold on to them until the battery life really sucks ass, and by then the new models are enough of an improvement that upgrading makes more sense than replacing the battery.
Pimpollo818
Member
until kapoot
Billbofet
Member
I usually keep until there is a feature I find compelling enough to upgrade. Last time it was for a better camera, but I've had my Pixel 4a for three years now.
My daughter is buying an iPhone 13 or 14 in the coming weeks, so I'm sure that will infect me with the upgrade bug sooner than later.
My daughter is buying an iPhone 13 or 14 in the coming weeks, so I'm sure that will infect me with the upgrade bug sooner than later.
Upper_Management
Member
Until Apple bricks my phone with continuous iphone updates.