How often do you get a new phone?

[Silverfly]

I'm thinking of getting a new phone for my birthday, and was just interested to know how often you would generally expect to get a new phone? Old one is working OK but the battery is starting to drain quite quickly.

Every two years - it's either change contract (and get a new phone) and keep the same price or similar, or face a huge increase in what I pay every month.

We never get the latest models, always old stock of an earlier model.

We buy 2nd hand phones that we use on PAYG or v cheap monthly rates (not tied to a contract). Always buy Android phones, they usually last 3 to 4 years at least, depending on usage (DH barely uses his, the rest of us are addicted to ours). We only move on when it stops working.

I replaced the battery in my iPhone ( did it myself - YouTube ) and it’s working perfectly. It means I can use sim only - £8 a month. No contract.

Five years for my iphone. But only because the battery, after needing charged almost continuously, expanded ominously and burst the case of the phone open!
I wonder how phones can be recycled - they contain rare metals and there are environmental costs to the mining involved to supply them. I wouldn’t change one until it was unavoidable.

Just short of every two years I upgrade and the phone gets passed down to one of the children. If it wasn't for the kids it would be just when the phone dies or becomes too outdated.

I don't think anyone is throwing their old phones away. The majority pass them down the family or sell them on. That's not a 'throw away' attitude

I thought that too. DP and I always sell ours on ebay when we change and its surprising how much you can get for an (honestly described) second hand phone including being broken or just a really low spec model.

But I watched some 'clear out your cluttered house' programme the other day on iplayer and the family must have had a dozen old phones as part of their clutter. I know it was an extreme example and they were very time poor, but still. You could probably send the lot to Music Magpie or similar and get a few quid for them without much effort.

When it starts acting up. I've used phones for 5 - 7 years and they still looked good on the outside but battery and other internal problems made the change necessary. Sadly, phones nowadays seem to be made to last 2 years before going haywire, so I tend to need (not want) a new one every 2/3 years. Lucky if it goes past that without being a pain.

Hardly ever - I first got a mobile in 1999 and I’m currently on my 4th phone.

I usually do a 2 year contract but kept my previous phone over 3 years. This one i'll probably swap after 2 because my mum needs my old handset! I never have the latest model.

Usually every 2-3 years, that seems to be when I find them getting frustratingly slow or needing charging too often. Had my current phone since Feb 2020.

Usually once there have been so many updates and it's mega slow so 4 ish years. I find around the 3.5-4 year mark it gets annoying and runs super slow. I do have lots of apps though. I'm actually considering down shifting to a basic phone and ditching the smartphone. 😂

Every 2-3 years. The battery just pisses me off by that point so as soon as I can upgrade I do.

Every two years when the contract runs out. Battery is usually okay at that stage but memory starts to run low. I do use my phone to the max though.

When the previous one dies. My ancient IPhone 6s has just a new battery which should keep it going for another few years.

My beloved old Nokia 3310 worked perfectly for so many years, I only upgraded when not having a smartphone became a significant inconvenience. I still miss it.

I'm beginning to think about replacing mine. It's a Samsung S7 and approaching 4 years old. It's no longer supported, ie no longer receives updates, and now also has a faulty screen. But still works.

Every 2-3 years I’d say.

I got a new one at the weekend after having my old one for 2 years. My contract had expired and I was going to keep it but I dropped it a few weeks ago and the corner of the screen cracked. It was still working but had some sharp bits that ended up scratching my face when making a call. Found a good upgrade deal with extras so I took it, usually I keep my phones for a year or so post contract on a sim only basis though.

I had my iphone 6 six years ago.

When the battery starts to go, or it doesn't update properly anymore. I buy mine outright as well and have a SIM only contract.

I've got an iPhone 8+ and I'm actually really fond of it.

Every 2 to 3 years here when my contract permits. Old ones from the previous couple of upgrades are kept as spares in case of problems but will eventually be sold to somewhere like CEX or Music Magpie.

I get a new one when my 2 year contract expires. Old phone doesn't go to waste, either sold, or passed on (last phone went to DBro as his had broken). I don't necessarily get to absolute newest model, as I'm also looking at the data plans too.

Currently have a S20.

usually when my daughter has broken hers!

I buy a new iPhone outright every 4 years then do a sim only deal for about £10pm. It works out cheaper than a contract. I find that the apps stop working as well after about 4 years as the updates stop being compatible.

When I drop mine

I used to wait years when I was on contract because I couldn't afford the hike. Now I get one every 2 years but I always buy a new phone outright (by saving or using an interest free card) then get a cheap contract. Literally save hundreds over 2 years than if I'd got the same phone on contract. I can't beleive contracts are still so popular when you can do it this way!
Atm my phone cost £600 and I pay £8 per month sim only = £792 over 2 years.
Same phone on contract with same allowences was £60 per month = £1440 over 2 years 😳
I also can sell the phone for a bit usually to go towards the new one as after 2 years it's still works well.