How long do you keep your phone before buying a new one? It is based on this article that especially Apple fanboys, buy a new phone every year when the new one comes out.
Apple fanboys, buy a new phone every year when the new one comes out
The ‘new phone every year’ types are usually on a contract with their carrier where they get the latest model every x amount of months/years. Most aren’t buying it outright
I keep my phones for 5-7 years. Generally once it stops receiving security updates I’ll get a new one
I avoid it as much as possible.
The current phone I am using to type this right now is someone’s old phone that they graciously gifted to me when they went and got a new one.
Not going to spend lots of money on tech that is going to be called old in a year.
I think I have you all beat. I’m still rocking an iPhone 6S Plus released in 2015. The latest update was for iOS 15.8.8 on May 11, 2026.
genuinely impressive given how lots of apps (and increasingly more of them, but afaik messaging apps generally still fall behind?) seem to require iOS 16 or later nowadays
I had the non-plus. The battery went poof on me and cracked the phone wide open.
When my old one dies. Currently only on my 2nd smartphone.
I use my wife’s old phone when she changes, which is roughly every 5 years or so. Chinese brand, excellent quality, running some fork of Android (couldn’t tell you which).
About every 5 years. Also weird to hear that about Apple fans. Everyone I know with an iPhone uses it until they can’t anymore or it stops getting updates. Maybe we Europeans use our phones longer or something.
Every 4 to 6 years; using Iphone.
Usually wait for some reason to change, which is almost always unrelated to features on new phones. Either the phone breaks, gets lost or there is something specific I want which my phone doesn’t have. Plan to get a new one this year to get a bigger screen, otherwise would have kept the existing one which works perfectly fine, does everything I need and is going on 6 years without any issues.
Every 5 years. For next year, I want to buy a custom Android (GrapheneOS - Motorola, or Degogled Android/Ubuntu Touch - Volla, or Fairphone with /e/ os), I will see.
I spent a little more to get the upgraded newest model of the android phone I’m currently typing this on, released in January 2021 and received by me in March. I had to replace my previous phone because the battery started to fail and it was failing behind in Android versions, meaning some newer apps could no longer be installed and some older apps could no longer be updated. Current phone still going strong, no signs of being any slower than it was originally. Mostly have used wireless charging and battery protection schemes in the OS, so USB port still works well and charges just fine either way. I feel like phones hit a performance plateau a few years ago and I see no reason for an “upgrade”. If my current phone needs to be replaced, I fully expect to be forced to pay more for less given the costs of memory these days. Previously I’d been basically forced to upgrade every 2 years because I always bought the contract special “free” phone and updates stopped or the battery pillowed.
I want to do now, I have mine since 2019 and still working but im tired of android
Linux next?
Yes, sadly im not smart or rich enough
10 years ago been using hand me downs since
I use them until they’re literally too broken to be worth fighting with anymore. Only then do I buy another one.
only right answer imo /lighthearted
I buy a new one when my current one is having so many problems it’s hard to ignore. I didn’t get a smartphone till 2020. Before then it was cheap pay-as-you-go phones. That phone was a moto g power and I had it till last year when it was getting to be too slow and the screen shattered when dropping it on my way out of work. I got a pixel 10 since my phone plan gave a massive discount on it.
About every 4-5 years, depending on how the old one is lasting. Typically, it’s battery life that frustrates me enough to go shopping. I have an iPhone 17 now, and this will most likely be my last apple. Prices are beyond justification
you know batteries can be replaced right
Never had any success trying to replace an iPhone battery. Tried twice through the alleged Genius Store, and both times with an aftermarket supplier. Failed to have any success. Phones were an 8 and an X. Maybe in other markets, but had no luck in Australia
Brutal. What do they charge for an official repair in AuD $
?
Depends on the repair. Never used to be possible to even get an aftermarket screen, although you can now. I have walked in with a broken screen on a current model phone to be told it can’t be fixed and they would use it as a trade in.
Fortunately, you can now get genuine parts from third parties.
A third party repair of a screen is about $175. Apple is over $250. Last time I had it quoted was a couple of years ago though, so YMMV.
you either did something wrong, or need to stop overpaying apple for iphones. i’ve never heard of batteries being this difficult on regular ones.
Judgemental much? Stop being a dick. You need to understand that every body has reasons for doing the things they do, and has different experiences.
Up until 2021, I wasn’t allowed an android device for work. I got, and still get, an allowance for bringing my own device.
Obviously, you have never had to have an apple device repaired in Australia.
you are way too defensive about your planned obsolescence phone. but eh, apple people tend to be like this.
And you are a dick.
stop calling people names because of products.
Once every 2 or 3 years back when I was buying the stinky cheap ones. My current Pixel, however, is approaching 5 years strong. No good reason to buy a new one at this point, maybe until the GrapheneOS Motorola comes out since I don’t do anything computationally intensive on my phone.
