How often do you upgrade your cell phone?

[bobandsherry]

It all depends on what offers are available. My past 3 upgrades (Google Pixel 6 to Pixel 7 to Pixel 8 and now Pixel 9 Pro) have been available with a great trade-in offer. It was a no brainer on the P6->P7 as it was a money maker after all offers. The P7->P8 was $100 as was the P8->P9P. So I've upgraded each year for the past 3 years because it was relatively inexpensive to get the latest and greatest with newest technology.

 

[wmc1000]

Typically, we buy 2 year old "used" Samsung Galaxy phones from backmarket.com in excellent condition and then trade them back in on a 2 year cycle. Typically receive 30%-40% of value back on trade-in. Costs us about $70 per year on average per phone doing this and our phone features stay mostly up to date.

 

[kcowan]

DW got an iPone 13 Pro and I got a 2000SE. Looking to upgrade to the latest SE model this year. More keyboard room!’

 

[ArmchairMillionaire]

Back in 2012, I bought DW a flip-phone to use when doing home visits which were required for her to do in her classroom. In 2022, we were forced to get a replacement flip-phone because the old one was 3G and that service was being discontinued.
So 10 years?
It's a 4G flip phone, so we don't worry about apps or texting. She's retired from teaching now, so we only use it for making calls when we travel. (if we remember to bring it along - sometimes we get an hour away from home before we remember and by that time, we're not turning back) It uses Trac-fone service. We buy a 90 day plan, then add 365 days to it when there's a deal. Some years we can get 15 months for around $80. (Around $6/mo. with taxes and fees)

 

[pacergal]

Every 7-10 years, when it no longer can handle updates or there is something I really like about a new model. I recently replaced the battery on my iPhone, so plan to keep it a while longer.

 

[marinauser]

Just swapped out a Samsung S8 and S9 for two S25s so it has been 7 and 8 years.

 

[Ronstar]

Used to upgrade every 5-7 years. But lately have had iPhone 13, then 15 then 16. So about 1.5 years recently.

 

[camfused]

Reportedly, the 4th generation iPhone SE (their "budget" model), comes out next week. It should be popular.

 

[pb4uski]

We generally upgrade every 2-3 years. For years we had Motorola Moto phones and more recently Google Pixels. I really like the Pixel. Currently have a Pixel 6a and am due for an upgrade later this year. We never buy the latest and greatest... usually 2-3 generations behind.

The other thing that we do is upgrade at the same time to the same phone. That way if DW has questions I am better positioned to help her.

 

[kgtest]

Every year, or if it breaks. I recycle my old ones into the family, or use it as a backup.

 

[AudiDudi]

We generally upgrade every 2-3 years. For years we had Motorola Moto phones and more recently Google Pixels. I really like the Pixel. Currently have a Pixel 6a and am due for an upgrade later this year. We never buy the latest and greatest... usually 2-3 generations behind.

The other thing that we do is upgrade at the same time to the same phone. That way if DW has questions I am better positioned to help her.

I went from a Moto G7 to the Pixel 7a. Nice upgrade.

 

[audreyh1]

A year or so ago I traded my iPhone7 for an iPhone13. I'd had the 7 for a number of years and the 13 was not top of the line at the time. I tend to keep devices and tech a fairly long time and I never buy the latest and greatest. I do have a fairly new Win11 laptop (wanted a new Win10 laptop but none were to be found), an older Win10 desktop and a Win7 desktop. Our newest TV is 4-yrs old, the oldest around 10.

I went from an iPhone 8 to iPhone 13, and it was a revelation because the 5G coverage was fantastic!

 

[audreyh1]

I think that’s sad. We are such creatures of disposable products. What a waste of resources and a contribution to e-waste. A phone should last more than 5 years and I think the average should be much closer to that.

When a phone is only 2 years old you get a huge discount for the trade-in.

 

[FIYes]

Trade in value is one reason to upgrade sooner than than I might otherwise. Also, I just like new technology.

 

[Jeffman52]

Just swapped out a Samsung S8 and S9 for two S25s so it has been 7 and 8 years.

My wife and I both have S9's. I suspect we will upgrade in the next year because they are hitting the point where we cant get apps to update.

 

[frank05]

Take a lot of pictures with the phone so typically only upgrade when they do something meaningful in the camera area. Happy with my iphone 15 pro, especially since it supports the new Apple clean up feature. Don’t see any reason to upgrade in the next couple of years.

 

[cbo111]

Reportedly, the 4th generation iPhone SE (their "budget" model), comes out next week. It should be popular.

The SE seems to be gone, but a new 16E is just released, cost $599 US. It doesn't offer the widest camera or a few other 16 features, but may be in line to replace my aging 12mini.

 

[Koolau]

When my android stops w*rking for some reason, I suppose I'll have to replace it with something new. Not before then.

 

[DrRoy]

I had one jump off of my belt holster and go for a swim in Alaska once, but usually when I can't deal with the aged battery any more. Maybe 4 years or so.

 

[kcowan]

Startac then 4s, 8, 13pro. DW
Cheap Android, 4s then 2020se Me Looking at 16e as an upgrade. My thinking is that repricing will happen to the whole line as they get introduced and bring 16e into line.

 

[aja8888]

After some medical issues last Summer, I felt I needed "fall notification" that my Android and Fitbit would not provide so I bought a new iPhone 14 Plus and an Apple SE watch. I still have the Android and keep it in case I need an extra phone.

I live alone and need to have the fall notification feature, although I have not tested it yet!

 

[braumeister]

Looks like the newly announced iPhone 16e (replacing the SE) should be very popular. List price for the base model is $599 and it seems to support most of the various bells and whistles of the more expensive iPhones. Longer battery life will certainly be a bonus.

 

[HarveyS]

I go about 4 years between upgrades to my iPhones. I had the battery replaced on my old 4 so it could limp along for a few more years. I had to look at old photos to remember the upgrade dates. Upgrades due to limited battery or software.
2012 4s
2016 5s
2020 11 (no issues with it, so not looking to upgrade)

DW just got the 16pro, trading in an X that she got used from DD in 2021

 

[StevenA]

I upgrade when the apps I want will no longer run on my current phone, and then generally get the cheapest I can find that suits my needs. I currently have an unlocked TCL 10L that I bought in 2022. For my cell phone service, I use a subsidiary of T-Mobile called T-Mobile Connect that provides 5 GB of data for $15/month ($16.53 with taxes and fees). It doesn't make international calls (including Canada and Mexico), but there's no one outside of the US who I really want to talk to anyway.

 

[Jerry1]

I typically wait longer than now but I'm thinking of trading in my 13 mini because t-mobile will give me a promotion with trade in amounting to $500. Therefore, I can get the 16Pro for half price. (I only need 128 memory). I'd get the new phone for $21/month for 24 months. I'm seriously thinking about it.