[Outdated, please look at pinned post] Casual Conversation

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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 usually keep my phone until it has degraded / become so incredibly slow, that I can't use it properly anymore.

Only when it breaks. My last phone I had from 2016-2022, the one before that from 2011-2016.

When it stops receiving security updates.

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.

Why upgrade when it still works?

Just got a new battery in my three year old phone. Hoping to get at least a fourth year out of it.

Every 6 years or so. On my previous device I had replaced so many of its parts that it could hardly even be considered the same phone anymore.

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.

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'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.

Only when it physically breaks beyond repair. And even then, sometimes I buy the same model again.

Around four years.

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.

Never. My phone is a single piece of unmoving steel and ceramic with three buttons and a switch on the side. This is definitely not a device designed for upgrading.

When my battery dies or there is a REAL upgrade not just a new camera. Or my dog eats it (it happens)

Every 2-3 years, because of contract length.

However, the last time I upgraded to my current phone was 2018.

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.

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.

Whenever I find a deal I can take advantage of by leveraging the old devices worth.

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.

When it stops receiving OS version updates

Around every three to four years, particularly for major photography-related upgrades.

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.

When it no longer works. Current one is 4 years old and everything except the fingerprint scanner is still working fine.