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.
I don’t buy new anymore. I buy used phones and keep them until even basic functionality is kaput. Got this S9+ used in 2020. Still going strong.
I dread the day I have to buy another phone - I am not looking forward to built-in AI bullshit and permanent nagware, and I’m not smart enough to set up GrapheneOS or other such custom stuff like that.
iPhone 4 (used) -> Xiaomi Mi4c (new) -> Xiaomi Mi9SE (new) -> Google Pixel 5 (used) -> Fairphone 5 (new)
I think thats my list. Got the iPhone in 2012 or 13 from a friend. Im planning to keep the Fairphone at least until 2033 (thats how long they guarantee security updates right now) so thats around 4 yrs/phone in total, more like 3yrs until now. I used every one of those pretty much until their last breath, I even opened up two of them to replace the battery.
Samsung note ➡️ iPhone 6 ➡️ iPhone 10 ➡️ Pixel 8 ➡️ Pixel 11
all of my phones except for the newest have been hand-me-downs from my dad or sister. Also I planned on continuing to use my pixel 8 a lot longer but we’re forced to switch phone companies after 20 years and got ones as a signup bonus
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.
I use a phone till it stops working. Usually get 3-4 years out of it. I usually will buy a refurbished “flagship” phone from the previous year or two. I like a big screen and lots of memory. I’m currently using a pixel 9pro xl. It’s fine. I like the idea of using graphene, but haven’t yet summoned the energy to do it.
The GrapheneOS installation is ridiculously easy, you basically just click through the setup on their website. And once you’re accustomed to its features, you’ll never want to go back to stock Android.
I don’t understand why people would upgrade their phone every year. It’s so wasteful, and there’s barely any changes from year to year. Most of the larger upgrades these days are in software rather than hardware.
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.
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.
I currently have a refurbished Pixel 8 (chosen because it’s the oldest phone recommended by GrapheneOS). I got it less than a year ago when my previous phone (a refurbished Pixel 7) started having screen problems. I got that one a few years before, when my refurbished Pixel 6 fell out of my pocket in a parking lot and got driven over by a car.
If it weren’t for breakages and Graphene system requirements (for security features, not performance), I’d probably still be using the Pixel 6, if not some phone I had even before that. It’s been at least half a decade or so since the last time I felt like upgrading because my phone wasn’t good enough.
I only upgraded my 6a to a 9a because there was that battery fiasco and Google effectively paid for a new phone. It’s funny because the 9a feels like the exact same phone, particularly on GrapheneOS.
I loved my Pixel 6. It stopped working earlier this year and I bought a refurbished 8 pro, which is also great, but I would have used my 6 forever.
Rocking a pixel 7 still and my boys both have pixel 6. Great phones.
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.
At least 4 years. The only exception will be when the Motorola+GrapheneOS phone launches next year, which will be replacing the phone I bought this 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.
every 5 years, which imo is even too often. the reason is usually a combo of os slowdown/battery life/lack of storage which really is a little ridiculous. f capitalism!
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
4-5 years with a battery replacement at year 2-3 for a refresh. Now I’m trying to hold out for the new Motorola/graphene os phone
