Weekly poll: how often do you change phones?

05 July 2020
Makers get credit for supporting their phones for more than two years, but do you actually use them that long?

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  • K
  • Kev
  • H5Z
  • 23 Jan 2023

Last phone I got they whacked the price right up; partly in protest, partly to reduce eWaste and simply because the phone still works I'm seeing how many years I can stretch until I eventually cave in and get a replacement, I'm 5 years going on 6.

Also smartphones have stopped innovating. I mean real innovation with transformational new features, not just slightly faster CPU, slightly better cameras, slightly larger batteries. I want proper innovation.

    • N
    • Note9 User
    • mX@
    • 13 Jul 2020

    rustc, 05 Jul 2020TLDR:I held only two phones for a two years, all others had... moreDon't worry, you will be fine for at least two years.

    Battery: It's hard to fit a big battery in a small phone, and personally I would like it to be thicker to accomodate, battery can be replaced via Samsung, 3rd party or DIY.

    Support:
    OS: From 9 Pie to android 11 guaranteed, 2 major OS, (but hopefully you'll get 3), + you'll get the One UI updates.
    Security updates: You should get 4 years like the S7 & hopefully by that time it's extended to 5 years.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • KSu
      • 12 Jul 2020

      NoAndroidUpdate, 12 Jul 2020Sir, maybe it's because you're using an iPhone. ... moreUnlocked bootloader here too on multiple devices I've used and sold.
      No problems with banking apps.
      Besides security updates are extremely overrated.

        • N
        • NoAndroidUpdates
        • g36
        • 12 Jul 2020

        jack87, 09 Jul 2020As regards the cheap brands, I am satisfied with my xiaomi ... moreIt's very easy to get battery replacement, if you're willing to say goodbye to IP waterproof certification

          • N
          • NoAndroidUpdate
          • g36
          • 12 Jul 2020

          A, 08 Jul 2020Now they will hunt you down and slow your phone and moreove... moreSir, maybe it's because you're using an iPhone.

          We never have such problems with android because we never get Android updates after 2 years (except Oppo, Oppo never updates). Past that, just security updates (except Oppo, Oppo sometimes updates).

          My android phones have unlocked bootloader so I can get custom ROM for them (I keep getting android updates here) but lots of banking & payment apps prevents won't install.

            • U
            • UncleK
            • Q}{
            • 11 Jul 2020

            I keep them until they fail. Usually the battery becomes too weak.

              • v
              • vwite
              • kXK
              • 10 Jul 2020

              John, 09 Jul 2020I can't believe people wait so long to upgrade. My ph... moreSame here, I cannot afford wasting time with a slow phone waiting to load, I'm not a conformist, I want the latest technology and the best of the best. Can't wait to switch my S20 Ultra to the BEST phone of 2020, the Note 20 Ultra

              I use my phone everyday and for several hours, a phone is a tool for productivity, if you worked with removing and installing screws all day long, everyday, would you keep using a screwdriver instead of getting a power drill? Some people would, I wouldn't. Time is pretty limited.

                • J
                • John
                • mq{
                • 09 Jul 2020

                I can't believe people wait so long to upgrade.
                My phones are usually too slow after around 6 months. I use 120hz screen and SD865 now with the fastest ram and storage and next years phones will make it feel like a dinosaur.
                Can't bear to watch 60hz screens now they're like flip phones from 1999.

                  • j
                  • jack87
                  • M{k
                  • 09 Jul 2020

                  Anonymous, 06 Jul 2020Used to be around 6-8 months before I bought my first OnePl... moreAs regards the cheap brands, I am satisfied with my xiaomi note 7... no problems so far. After 1.5 year battery can last for two days (when it was new it lasted 3 days). Battery is more important than camera or extra (often useless) features like samsung DeX... cause if it runs out and I cannot charge it than I cannot use any of my phone features...

                    • N
                    • N950X
                    • XSr
                    • 08 Jul 2020

                    I'll upgrade either if the software starts playing up or if I start falling short of space. Still using a note 8 and won't mind moving to note 9. I have no craze for the current best.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-82756
                      • nFW
                      • 08 Jul 2020

                      I change phones every 4months because I have a obsession with new releases

                        • A
                        • A
                        • XV$
                        • 08 Jul 2020

                        neutrino, 07 Jul 2020Heck, im still using my Galaxy S7. It's still good to use.Now they will hunt you down and slow your phone and moreover your camera photos will look like it was taken 10 years ago. So that you upgrade to the new phone.

                          How you buy an Android phone depends on a lot of factors!
                          - Your income (someone in Africa has different priorities to someone in America)
                          - Where you live (different carrier network band frequencies, and phone availabilities)
                          - Your preferences (size, features, support, etc etc)

                          For most of us in developed nations, I found the most efficient way is this:
                          1 - Buy a USED ex-flagship phone that is 1.1 years old
                          (eg/ Samsung Note4 released in Oct 2014 for $800, buy it for $400 in Nov 2015)

                          2 - Thanks to the timeframe, you know which specific variant to get and do your research
                          (eg/ enjoy the long-time reviews, best accessories, and use a great Custom Rom like EvoX)

                          3 - Keep the phone for roughly 1.6 years
                          (eg/ stay in the "goldilocks zone" of depreciation, and of software support and hardware)

                          4 - Replace the phone with the next model, sell old phone asap
                          (eg/ In April 2017, Sell Note4 for $300, buy S7+ for $400)

                          5 - Rinse and Repeat the process!
                          (eg/ Nov 2018 sell S7+, buy Note8...April 2020 sell Note8, buy S10+...Nov 2021 sell S10+ etc)

                            • B
                            • Blackk Mamba
                            • KSu
                            • 07 Jul 2020

                            saurabhaj2, 06 Jul 2020You sound like you are living in desert Sahara. Come to In... moreI am from India Bro.
                            Ditched my S10 for ROG 2 as my daily driver.
                            Lot of my non IP rating phones survived just fine inside my jeans pocket in the rains.
                            As I said, splash resistance is there to protect most accidental drops or the occasional shower.

                              • n
                              • neutrino
                              • IVx
                              • 07 Jul 2020

                              Heck, im still using my Galaxy S7. It's still good to use.

                                • B
                                • BogdanC
                                • 0CY
                                • 07 Jul 2020

                                Usually every 2-2.5 years but if the phone stops getting updates I will upgrade earlier than that.

                                  Depends but usually once every 2 to 3 years.

                                    • W
                                    • Wotakoi
                                    • qZu
                                    • 07 Jul 2020

                                    I only upgrade phones if the LCD was destroyed. My Xperia XZ is still fully functional and safe and still relatively snappy enough so I don't see a point upgrading. Maybe the next phone is Xperia XZ2C?

                                      • B
                                      • Branden
                                      • r}6
                                      • 07 Jul 2020

                                      Use it until it dies, or become unsatisfied with it's performance. I moved from Moto E2 because the SIM card wasn't being held in place correctly. I moved from the Moto G4 because it's performance was underwhelming and the battery would die randomly under anywhere under 70% battery. I switched to the Moto G7 but I hope to upgrade to a new device soon. It's slow... I/3 to 1/4 of the performance of the Snapdragon 845/855 with a 3000mAH battery. Should've purchased a S8 or a LG G7 ThinQ. Hopefully getting the Galaxy S10 as my next phone as I really want to use Samsung DeX. Gotta hold out til it dies, lmao.

                                        Depends, if you have a hit on a good device you can have it well over 2 years.
                                        Motorola Droid Turbo 2y2m
                                        Huawei P10 Plus 2y6m
                                        Sony Xperia 5 since last october

                                        But before the Droid Turbo I had 5 phones in just 3 years, those times were they improved a lot in a year, but now a midranger is capable of everything too.

                                        ps.: I had a ASUS ROG Phone when it came out, only for a day, but as it was faulty had to gave up on it, I did not wanted to, ASUS sent my money back anyway.

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