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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how often you upgrade your phone?

141 replies

thecherryfox · 05/12/2024 10:26

I used to upgrade my phone every 2 years when my contract ended, but i feel like I have got to the time of maturity where I have a fully working phone with no issues - there’s no need to upgrade it. I have a sim only plan which is up soon and I think I’m just going to extend it instead of getting a new phone. I feel like I’m just going to wait until this phone is in no longer working condition and then get a new phone.

so I guess I’m asking, are you all tech people and get a new phone every couple of years or are you someone who waits until it breaks until you get a new one?

OP posts:
Colinswheels · 05/12/2024 11:03

Every 4 or 5 years here too and I don't go for the newest model. I have just upgraded to iphone 14 as my previous phone stopped charging properly. When I was younger I used to get a new phone each time my contact was up though.

Itissunnysomewhere · 05/12/2024 10:59

Every four/five years.
I buy the handset outright. Pay about £10 a month for data to Giffgaff

Crazymadchickenlady · 05/12/2024 10:58

Same here. Usually about every 4-5 years when the battery gets that its not lasting long enough and the IOS isn't being updated.

shellyleppard · 05/12/2024 10:51

Wait till it breaks....

HollyLollyMollyJolly · 05/12/2024 10:50

To ask how often you upgrade your phone?

When my phone stops working. I seem to keep phones for a long time because as they say "My hands don't break electronics easily". Most of my phones still look like new after years of using them.

The greedy phone companies want me to buy their phones every year or 2 years but if I have no need for them, I don't. I change my contract to sim only if I don't need a phone or they don't have the phone I like (which they rarely do).

Dash0Cal · 05/12/2024 10:37

Usually when the battery makes it impractical to keep going- 4-5 years?

FriendlyNeighbourhoodAccountant · 05/12/2024 10:36

I get a new phone when my current one starts to break. Averaging 3-5 years but I'm SIM only and buy the phone outright so don't feel I need a new phone when a contract ends.

ItWasntMyFault · 05/12/2024 10:36

I bought my iPhone 7 in 2016 and had it until 2022 when I bought the iPhone 14 - I've just gone down to sim only and plan to keep it for several more years.

TheFlis · 05/12/2024 10:35

When the battery gets really crap or the OS really slow, usually 3.5-4 years.

Blarn · 05/12/2024 10:35

In the early-mid 2000s I would get a new one every 12 months when my contract expired. Now I keep my phone until it stops working, 3 - 4 years usually.

GenerousGardener · 05/12/2024 10:34

My current phone is six years old. It does everything I want it to do. I have a sim only contract and buy the phone outright when I need a new one.

LittleRedRidingHoody · 05/12/2024 10:32

I used to be the same!

Now I work in tech. I use the newest iPhone for work, but have my 4 year old iPhone as my personal one (which I'm on all the time) and it's still going strong. I really don't see the difference between them 🫠

blackcatsarethebestcats · 05/12/2024 10:31

I had my last iPhone for 4.5 years and it still worked perfectly well apart from the battery running down a bit quicker. I upgraded because I started to get a bit worried that it might die one day and leave me in the lurch, but it would probably have lasted longer. It’s definitely a myth that iPhones only last a couple of years. And even though it was that old, I still got £73 for trading it in with O2 Recycle.

araiwa · 05/12/2024 10:31

When it breaks

GridlockonMain · 05/12/2024 10:31

My current one has been going for four and a half years. It’s getting a bit creaky but still works. I’ll use it until I absolutely can’t - I like to get my money’s worth, and it’s better for the environment. A sim-only contract is also so much cheaper!

Gogogo12345 · 05/12/2024 10:28

If and when it breaks My Samsung S10 still going strong