Every year, like clockwork, tech manufacturers like Samsung, Google, and Apple all release their latest and greatest phones, touting massive upgrades that they say will completely change how you interact with your smartphone. Only one problem: These upgrades are usually marginally iterative at best.
Combine that with the skyrocketing prices of mobile devices, which now regularly cost more than $1,000, and you might be wondering if that minor smartphone upgrade is actually worth the money. Ultimately, there are certainly situations in which you should wait a year or two before upgrading, and of course, there are times when it is time to pull the trigger on a new device.
The smartphone market: Are new phones really getting better?
For many years now, most smartphone manufacturers have launched new devices every single year. The most outwardly prominent is the Apple iPhone, but Samsung Galaxy releases and Google Pixel launches happen on a yearly cadence as well.
Just because something is better, that doesn't mean it's much better.
Are these new devices actually better than the smartphones from only one year ago? Technically, yes, new phones are better than their predecessors. They have newer and more capable processors and often have upgrades in terms of camera and battery technology.
But just because something is better, that doesn't mean it's much better, or that it's worth your money. Upgrades to processor speed are usually minor at best, not to mention battery tech and camera tech. That means that if you have last year's model, it's almost certainly not worth paying all that cash for the latest and greatest device. Those tiny upgrades do add up though, and a phone from today is likely dramatically better than one from five years ago.
Why you shouldn't upgrade your phone
Your phone is still perfectly fine
If you're happy with the phone you have, why upgrade to a new model if there isn't a particular feature you're excited about? If you're on the fence about upgrading, consider whether your current phone handles everything you need it to. Ask yourself:
- Does it easily process the tasks you do daily?
- Does it take photos that you like, and is it still in good condition?
- Can it still support the latest software updates?
If you answered "yes" to all of the questions above, you probably don't need a new phone. There might be a feature or two you're excited about that you may use to justify the purchase to yourself. However, that doesn't mean that you need one.
Your current phone is paid off
If your phone still performs to your satisfaction and you have completely paid it off, you are in a very good place. Chances are, you are eligible to have your phone unlocked, which, in a world of no cell phone contracts, means you are free to take it to a new carrier with a cell phone plan that fits all your needs at the best price possible.
If you're still on an installment plan, you can often pay off your financed phone early.
Take a look at some of the most popular BYOP cell phone plans and see if one is right for you.
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XFINITY Mobile
1GB By the Gig Plan
$20.00/mo
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Google Fi Wireless
Flexible + 3GB data
$50.00/mo
(base cost + data cost)
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PureTalk
Unlimited Data w/ 30GB Hotspot Plan
$64.99/mo
+ $3 Upfront
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T-Mobile
Experience More
$85.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
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Red Pocket
Premium Annual Plan (GSMA)
$300.00
Only $300 for 12 months (equals to $25/month);<br> Regular rate is $360/year or $30/month
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The new devices aren't that interesting to you
With such a constant stream of new smartphones, we've reached a point where big, sweeping cell phone innovations are few and far between. Yes, phones are still getting faster, battery life is still improving, and cameras are getting better. But for many of us, these features already exceed expectations on the phones we currently own.
Upgrading smartphones seems less likely to impact our lives than it has in the past. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and companies are starting to innovate with tech like folding phone screens. For now, new tech doesn't exactly make us feel like we need to get the new phone immediately.
When you may actually need to upgrade your phone
Some very valid reasons to think about upgrading to a new phone include:
- Your phone is slow, lagging, and freezing
- Your screen or casing is damaged, and likely to continue to degrade
- Your software no longer supports new iOS updates or Android updates (and more importantly, new security updates)
- Your battery won't hold a charge
There are more subjective reasons to upgrade, too. Maybe you really like taking photos with your phone, but find that its camera simply doesn't come close to newer camera phones that are out. Or maybe you like gaming on your phone, but find that its performance is no longer up to the task. Perhaps you simply feel better having the most recent tech at your fingertips. If you have the funds to upgrade, then the choice truly is yours.
How to make your smartphone last longer
There are plenty of ways to ensure that your phone lasts as long as possible. Some of them are obvious, but others are a little less so.
Perhaps the most obvious way to take care of your phone is to simply be careful with it. Put a case on it, and don't submerge it in water. Don't throw it across the room or let it fall out of your pockets if you can help it.
Another way to keep your phone running longer is to make sure to upgrade to new software versions whenever you can. Often these updates come with new features designed for efficiency, and while over time your phone will find it harder and harder to handle the updates, the trade-off of having the latest and greatest security features is worth it.
Upgrading your smartphone: FAQs
What's the average smartphone lifespan?
The average smartphone lifespan is around six to seven years. That's how long smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung guarantee software updates for their devices. On average, you should expect to be able to keep a smartphone for at least four or five years without issue.
Are refurbished phones worth buying?
Whether a refurbished phone is a worthwhile purchase depends on where you're purchasing it from. Buying directly from a manufacturer or a carrier is the most reliable option and almost guarantees that the refurbished phone will be as good as new, though they'll be more expensive than refurbished phones from third parties. But buying refurbished phones from elsewhere can be a crapshoot, and they sometimes arrive more in used condition, and you have no recourse if it does.
When does the newest iPhone come out?
Apple releases new iPhones every September. The only exception to that rule was in 2020 when the company had trouble in the manufacturing process due to COVID. Since then, however, it has returned to its September release schedule.
How often should I upgrade my phone?
It's really up to you when you should upgrade your device. You might find that you're forced to upgrade every six or seven years when your phone no longer supports software updates or has gotten damaged. Other than that, it really comes down to how much new features and better processing power appeal to you and how you want to use your phone. Note, though, that you can often get a great deal on the previous year's model when the price drops right before the next model releases—this can be a great time to upgrade.
Christian de Looper
Contributing Writer
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