How often do you replace your cell phones?

[BrianNole777]

I try to keep mine as long as possible...I only need a phone that works for texting, internet and Waze.

I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S6 or S7...I bought it in January, 2020.

The screen is starting to fade and it's time for an upgrade.

Is there a big difference between the new cell phones and older ones?

I just need something simple.

 

[Moral]

I replace mine every few years, I always buy a refurbed phone on eBay for a fraction of the price.

 

[BrianNole777]

I replace mine every few years, I always buy a refurbed phone on eBay for a fraction of the price.

Got any recs for a poor like me??

 

[Moral]

Got any recs for a poor like me??

Go on ebay search for a phone type and plus your carrier. Find a seller with a ton of reviews and positive reviews.

An example for a search for a refurbed Galaxy phones so I'll use the 2022 S22 as an example. "Samsung S22 refurb verizon" looks like those are sub $200 mostly. You can do the same with S23 and S24 to see the price compared to other versions and see which is your best value.

You could also try searching for Pixel 9 or 9a phones which were 2025 phones.

 

[AFM22]

Once I feel there's a clear drop in performance, so every 3-4 years. Most recently on Black Friday of 2025.

 

[OnlyTheObscure]

When they only last a few hours without charging or don’t charge at all.

only difference I even notice on phones is the camera quality.

 

[Mcgibbs]

I usually make it last until the battery has clearly gone to crap. At that point I keep my eyes open to see if my provider is giving away any new phones. I couldn’t care less if the phone model is a year old if it means I get a deal on it.

 

[RockyMtNole]

4-5 years
I’m at 4 with current iphone
Going to try the battery replacement route

 

[jaxhawk]

Made it about 3.5 years on my last phone, trying to make it to 4 on my current one. Usually once the battery sucks is when I upgrade

 

[LunchBox50]

4-5 years
I’m at 4 with current iphone
Going to try the battery replacement route

This is where I'm at. Usually, the battery starts to give out, and that's my sign to visit Verizon.

 

[AlexanderUrinis]

When providers go from current gen to the next (like we will do from 5g to 6g) it is a really good idea to upgrade. They change out tower radio tech and the phones follow.

That is the biggest improvement phones have these days until the battery tech changes.

 

[TennNole17*]

2-4 years, dependent mainly on battery life. I can’t think of a single “new” feature on a phone that’s made me want to upgrade earlier for any reason.

 

[LuciousBDragon]

In my business, I go through about 3-4 phones a day.

 

[JayDeeSC]

As long as I can until the battery can't hold a charge. The only difference with each model is how the camera looks physically on the phone. They simply make each one look a little different so you can tell who has the new one. Psychological marketing for idiots at its finest.

 

[PinkShizzle]

Every 2-3 years.

 

[JWolf74]

The last two phones simply crapped out in the middle of a work day. The first one was in a ten second glitch. Was ok for apps but you couldn't use it as a phone would simply glitch out every ten seconds. Took it to a few places and they couldn't figure it out.

I have to have it for work so I have to replace them quickly. My job used to reimburse me for it, until they decided they could just lie and say that as a nonprofit, they can't pay us back.

 

[scotchtiger]

Usually every 2 years, every other iPhone cycle. Will get the new pro later this year.

 

[TarponSpringsNole]

Every 3-4 years or so.

 

[Nole-4-Life]

When I retired my boss let me keep my phone and just change the plan. It’s two years old and I’ll keep it til it dies.