Asking because… On one hand I do see smartphones being released left-and-right, and they are rather integral to modern life
On the other hand I’m still chugging alone with my Pixel 6a that I bought 3 years ago with a replaced battery and a somewhat clogged charging port… and all my previous phones I only replaced when they have serious deficits that make them difficult to use
Wondering when you all replace phones. Please definitely mention it too if you ended up repurposing the old phone for something else
Started year 5 on this one, if the batteey was user replaceable, I’d so that and keep using it.
Like about every 5 to 7 years as that’s usually when it starts getting pretty slow. Not sure why or if it’s planned obsolescence, I take good care of my phones. My current one was gifted to me by my aunt last year, at the right time.
As long as the one I have works, I keep using it.
On average every 5 years. The battery life is always the issue. I will get a fairphone next time…
Only when it’s unusable. I recently got a new phone, my old one was an iPhone XR but the last few months it just randomly restarts and overheats like crazy.
I did a battery replacement a year ago but I think it was time. I also got a cheap Samsung, I’m not about to pay the money that Apple is charging customers just so I can make phone calls and use maps
When it breaks. I don’t remember how long I’ve had this one but it was made in 2019.
i’m still using an 2013 phone. the touch panel is kinda fucked and I do have a replacement phone already but I’m too used to it, so probably gonna use it till it physically breaks down or the cell towers die. would be cool af if i can make it till 2038 lol
If you feel that you need a new phone, but your recent one ist still working (no cracked screen, still sufficient battery life) it could help to tweak the UI settings. Change the appearence of the clock, pick another highlight color, delete apps you don’t really use, rearrange apps, change the wallpaper, etc. This way, your phone will feel new to you, despite being still the old one. Also, maybe a new phone case could help.
Try to unclog the charging port with a sewing needle. Switch off your phone and pick dust and lint carefully with the needle. Try not to touch.the contacts inside the port.
Only when an essential function breaks. Current phone is about to turn 6 years old.
Same. Last phone 5 years. Current phone 2 years. See zero reason in upgrading, especially to another big tech device or OS.
Really hoping a true Linux phone and OS materialises in the next couple of years. Something that isn’t beholden to any corporate monopoly or cartel. My requirements are basic. Apart from a dozen core mobile features/apps, everything can be done through a browser.
A used Pixel with GrapheneOS is the best choice. GrapheneOS doesn’t have Google tracking and is likely the most secure mobile OS.0
How long does your battery last? For me, that’s the only reason I would change my phone. Mine now lasts about 12 hours so it’s time for an upgrade.
Still lasts almost 2 days with moderate use. Battery is at 84% of the original capacity.
That’s amazing. Good for you.
Yep, got rid of my last phone when the mics stopped working right, even after flashing a variety of ROMS.
I am also team 6yrs. I may just get a refurbished version of this phone again.
I have an s23 ultra. This is the first phone that I feel I wouldn’t gain anything by upgrading.
I miss sd card slots and replaceable batteries. But those features died before the phones met my needs. Unfortunately.
ITT: it is confirmed that nearly everyone on Lemmy is die-hard “if it aint broke don’t replace it” about their phone (hell yeah)
It may not be broke, but I sure am.
me too fam
I replace mine before it breaks but then I’ll pass it on. My mom gets my old phones. Seems very happy with the iPhone 13 mini right now, I replaced it with my ex’s 14 pro when she upgraded to a 15 pro, as I was the one who paid for it anyway.
Now I’m considering selling the 14 pro and getting a 16 or 17 pro just so it no longer reminds me of her with the broken rear glass (since she’s the one that did the breaking). An important change in my life is that I can now get a work phone through my own company, saving me 33% in social tax (on top of salary), 22% income tax (from the salary) and 24% VAT in the phone’s price. These don’t add up linearly since the %s are from different amounts, but essentially I’ve calculated that the savings from buying things for the company vs paying myself a larger salary and buying for myself, is nearly 60%. This is not tax evasion either, I’m reachable to my clients via my phone so essentially it’s a legitimate business expense to have a work phone!
re-homing the old device is also a decent ewaste reduction strategy, kudos
hm i probably should have expensed more things when I had a business, especially because paying US taxes is inherently unethical these days 💀
My previous phone was a Xiaomi on which I installed LineageOS. I was very happy with it, but my GF’s son had a very very old phone, so I changed it after only 3 years and replaced it with another Xiaomi. I’m deeply unhappy this time because they’ve made it practically impossible to unlock the bootloader without using dodgy unverified tools. It’s only a year old and now I’m replacing it with a second hand Pixel.
Before the first Xiaomi, I had a OnePlus that I kept for six years.
5 years if I can’t flash open rom and nearly 7 years if I can.
I’m about to replace a once year old phone because I can’t flash the ROM, and I hate Xiaomi’s native apps and don’t trust them anymore.
- 2006 or so
- 2009 or so,
- 2012? 13? gifted to me
- around 2017, first smartphone, my previous’ phone speaker broke, got a used one
- 2019 or so, used phone’s battery died badly, friend gave me this reconditioned one
- 2025, previous phone’s screen turned purple, idk what’s up with that
I use my phones until they’re limping and pleading me to just let them die. At that point I look on the used market and buy the best previous-gen phone I can find for the cheapest price, then repeat. I’m not a fan of cell contracts - I like to buy my phone outright to keep my monthly bill as low as possible.
Up until now I was only buying used Pixels so I could install Graphene, but if Goog ever locks the bootloader or anything like that I will move to something else supported by Graphene.
Or maybe just revert to dumbphone and start carrying a small ultralight laptop around for internet stuff. Probably less doomscrolling that way.
I was just thinking the same. Simple oldstyle flip phone and a tablet or tiny laptop.
My wife has had her Samsung Note10+ for 8 years, battery just hit the wall where its charge drops too rapidly to be a reliable phone.
When it no longer holds charge.
This is usually about 5 years. I’d change the battery, but by then the web has slowed down and become inefficient enough to warrant a new phone anyway.
