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
When it breaks. I don’t remember how long I’ve had this one but it was made in 2019.
Haven’t had enough phones yet to determine that. I got my first proper phone 3 years ago which was a Samsung Galaxy A14. I LOVED it when I first got it, then had to watch as every update it got made the phone worse until it got so bad I HATED using it. Then out of nowhere just a few days ago, my Mom surprised me with a new Motorola G Stylus 2025. Runs better, has better battery, and DOESN’T look ugly as hell so contrary to what I thought it wasn’t Android that got worse (I mean, it probably still did lol) it was all the fault of Samsung SUCKING.
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.
2006 - 2G Siemens 2016 - 3G Samsung (2G turned off) 2022 - 4G ZTE (3G turned off)
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
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
5 years if I can’t flash open rom and nearly 7 years if I can.
When it stops working.
went from pixel 2016, pixel 2 2018-22?, and then disasterous PIXEL 5A 2025 it died in Jan.
got a ONE PLUS 12 R currently.
2020 - Samsung A13 5g
2025 - Xiaomi 14
When the battery quits. I replaced the battery in my last phone myself, got an extra year and a half out of it, but then I f‘d up the camera and figured that was it. So…6-7 years? Went from a iphone X to a 16, and previously it was a 6, so 5+ years for that one. The recent replaced phones were traded in to knock a few $ off the purchase price, but previously phones were handed down to the kids to use. Still have a couple working 4s‘s around.
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 💀
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.
I am also team 6yrs. I may just get a refurbished version of this phone again.
Yep, got rid of my last phone when the mics stopped working right, even after flashing a variety of ROMS.
As long as the one I have works, I keep using it.
