How often do you keep a phone before upgrading?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How often do you keep a phone before upgrading? (Page 1 of 5)

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:06:08 PM EDT

My wife gets the itch for a new iPhone about every two years. Historically we have bought a decently equipped model unlocked phone from the Apple Store, with phone, applecare plan, and tax, it comes out to $950-$1000.

That comes out to over $40 a month if you kept it two years. Seems like a lot to me.

What do you guys do?

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:09:03 PM EDT

[#1]

Keep it till it starts having problems. I have had the S7 paid off for more than a year. No plans to upgrade although I did think about it right after I passed the NCLEX just to splurg, but I didn't want another $30 on the phone bill.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:09:37 PM EDT

[#2]

4-5 yrs

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:10:12 PM EDT

[#3]

3-4 years, 5 if it doesn't start having problems.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:10:16 PM EDT

[#4]

4-5 years.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:10:20 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Keep it till it starts having problems. I have had the S7 paid off for more than a year. No plans to upgrade although I did think about it right after I passed the NCLEX just to splurg, but I didn't want another $30 on the phone bill.

View Quote

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:10:23 PM EDT

[#6]

I've rarely made it past the two year point but I've had my current phone, the original Pixel, almost 3 years now. And if it didn't cost $90 to replace the battery, or if it was easily user replaceable, I'd probably keep going with it. But I'm not putting $90 in a 3 year old phone.

Been looking at the Xiaomi phones. For $250 you can have a near flagship phone with great specs. For $150 you can have a top of the mid range phone. I figure if I'm going to buy a Chineseium phone, I might as well go right to the source and cut out the middleman and his 200% markup.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:10:43 PM EDT

[#7]

until it starts being too slow and gets too damn frustrating to do anything. or until it breaks.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:11:21 PM EDT

[#8]

I'm usually in a last-year's model, it's model 10 then I'm paying cash for a model 9 or 8 as long as it works.

I backed away from the "bleeding edge".

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:11:58 PM EDT

[#9]

$70 Blu phone from Amazon for 3 years now..... $2/month.

Eta
Wife likes apple so she got the 1gen old iPhone 3years ago (6s I think) for $600...$15/month. We'll probably replace around Christmas since I can't really think of anything else to get her for a present.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:12:03 PM EDT

[#10]

Till the next one is free on my plan.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:12:05 PM EDT

[#11]

I bought my I7 plus for just over $500 two years ago.

My wife's I6 plus was $699 in 2016 IIRC, the secret is never buy the expensive latest greates IPhone as to me the improvements are not worth the extra cash.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:12:12 PM EDT

[#12]

I buy the cheapest smart phone Verizon offers (currently the Samsung J7). I've had this one almost two years and plan on using it till it doesn't work. I think I got three years out of my previous Motorola before it shit the bed and I was forced to get my current phone.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:17:02 PM EDT

[#13]

Still have my 6, which I bought used.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:20:31 PM EDT

[#14]

Usually when the damn usb connectors die

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:20:47 PM EDT

[#15]

I typically skip a couple of models. I'll use mine until it starts doing too many wacky things.

I don't care about being up to date, I just care that it works when I need it to.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:21:28 PM EDT

[#16]

No way I'm upgrading every 2yrs. Me and the wife have had our S7s for 4yrs now. I'm not adding another $60 to my monthly plan. We've taken very good care of our phones for that reason. My 2 oldest daughters are now getting added to our plan. Instead of me and the wife upgrading and giving up our S7s to them, I went out and got a couple older models for cheap. The Moto droid was free and only 2 yrs old and in excellent condition. Looks almost new. Then paid $50 for a good condition S5. Now that people are having to actually pay for the price of the phones in addition to their monthly service bill, folks are keeping their phones longer.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:21:43 PM EDT

[#17]

2 years and thaty because the battery starts going to shit. So to keep my latest phone's battery, Pixel 2, in top shape I use a battery app that keeps me from overcharging. Overcharging batteries can shorten battery life.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:21:51 PM EDT

[#18]

2 yrs typically...

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:22:01 PM EDT

[#19]

About the same here. I've camped out for the new iPhone before but haven't for a year or two. 5s here

...

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:22:50 PM EDT

[#20]

1-2 years

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:23:06 PM EDT

[#21]

I keep it until I start having problems or it gets lost.

Only lost one phone though a really small Nokia.

Loved that phone, good camera, all the features I wanted and none that I didn't.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:23:13 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
Keep it till it starts having problems. I have had the S7 paid off for more than a year. No plans to upgrade although I did think about it right after I passed the NCLEX just to splurg, but I didn't want another $30 on the phone bill.

View Quote

As long as possible. My S7 is about 2.5 years old. I hope to get another 6 months out of it.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:23:35 PM EDT

[#23]

Still have a 5S and was going to drive it into the ground until an edge of the screen poped up in the corner, I went to press it back in and half the screen shattered.

Wife and everyone I know beat me up enough about it that I finally bought a brand new iphone X this week, but even that is apparently not the newest one anymore lol

As long as it gets calls, texts, emails and internet, its fine. I don't know or use 90% of the shit thats on your phone.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:24:06 PM EDT

[#24]

The new IPhone 11 Pro Max is $61 per month. I got a notice advising me I’m available to upgrade but it’s only $200 off MSRP unless I purchase a new line then it’s $500 off. I’m not upgrading on those terms

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:24:35 PM EDT

[#25]

I have only had a iPhone 2 and a new XR so I get 8 yrs out of them based on a sample of 2

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:26:11 PM EDT

[#26]

About once per phone.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:28:00 PM EDT

[#27]

Still have my flip phone, never had a smart phone so I guess I've never upgraded

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:28:11 PM EDT

[#28]

I've had the same phone model since mid 2016 (axon 7). Headphone jack, dual front stereo speakers and a decent 3100mah battery. Slow charge your phone if you want the battery to last longer. Blasting the battery with 18w is what's killing your battery quicker.

I actually have a axon 7s on order.

Unless it's a flag ship model you're not going to find something to up this phone. My next phone will be a galaxy s10e once the price drops to $350ish.

Newer phones seem to lack higher resolutions.

I can't tell much of a difference between snapdragon 820 and 845 using it in real world applications.

PS Xiaomi and Huawei are known to cheat benchmarks if you look at those to determine performance.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:28:50 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
until it starts being too slow and gets too damn frustrating to do anything. or until it breaks.

View Quote

This. And never spend more than 250.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:29:46 PM EDT

[#30]

I use the hand downs from my wife, currently using a 5 yo Samsung S5.
When it starts doing weird stuff, it gets a factory reset and reloaded, works well.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:29:56 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have only had a iPhone 2 and a new XR so I get 8 yrs out of them based on a sample of 2

View Quote

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:30:18 PM EDT

[#32]

i've upgraded iphones every two years for the last decade or so.

this year is the first year i'll wait longer, as I don't see any reason to move from the X to the 11.

i've been really happy with the iphone X, it's still just as good as new.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:30:44 PM EDT

[#33]

Until my current one goes tits up

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:31:37 PM EDT

[#34]

I still have an S5....works for what I need it to do...just barely...but its still ticking.

When it can no longer run the apps I use, i'll update it.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:31:44 PM EDT

[#35]

I keep it 'til it's broke.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:31:48 PM EDT

[#36]

I keep my phones until they start acting up as well. Had a galaxy S3 and when it finally quit holding a charge I upgraded to the S8, it's paid off and I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:32:06 PM EDT

[#37]

I get a new one when the changing port or battery
craps out. I have an S7 now. Probably good for another couple years.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:32:25 PM EDT

[#38]

Until it bricks.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:32:28 PM EDT

[#39]

Till it stops working or having issues.

Posted from a Samsung Note 4.

Been thru a few batteries.

May upgrade to the 10+ once the price drops as my Note 4 is getting pretty slow and I got an email from my provider months ago saying that due to the age of it, I may not have LTE service in certain states.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:33:04 PM EDT

[#40]

Usually every 2 years over the last 8 or so. Phones were getting much better specs every 2 years it was way worth it. Now they are not so i will be keeping my Note 8 and if it dies just purchase another Note 8 or 9 or whatever when I check the prices. I just ended my 2 year Verizon agreement this month and will be leaving them for a cheaper carrier.

EDIT: I usually got the. Newest phones just waited until after the carriers offer rebates/deals on them

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:33:29 PM EDT

[#41]

I bought a $20 tracphone in 2013. I lost it a few weeks ago. Went to Walmart and "upgraded" to a $30 tracphone. So, to answer your question, about 6 years...

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:33:45 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
4-5 yrs

View Quote

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:34:19 PM EDT

[#43]

When the battery goes to crap, or no longer works.

I just had to upgrade, as my current was only 3G capable, and 3G is going away 1/2020 for Verizon, forcing my hand.

That's how rarely I upgrade.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:35:16 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I have only had a iPhone 2 and a new XR so I get 8 yrs out of them based on a sample of 2

Well it was a 4s I meant to say get the nomenclature confused not a iphone2 —- that was my old ipad

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:35:22 PM EDT

[#45]

3.5-5 years.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:36:09 PM EDT

[#46]

I just upgraded from my iPhone X to the 11 pro max earlier this week. I usually keep a phone for between 1-2 years.

Posted: 9/29/2019 3:36:12 PM EDT

[#47]

Can't remember the exact length of time I had my first few phones, but my current one, a Nexus 6, I've had for over 4 years and am looking to upgrade.