How Long Should You Keep Your Cell Phone?

Battery Life

There is no way around it. Cell phone batteries (and all batteries in general) do wear out over time. However, the lithium-ion batteries used in today’s modern devices are quite a bit different from your standard throw-away AA’s you stick in your remote. For one thing, you can reverse the anode and cathode reactions and recharge the battery. But as time goes by, the internal resistance builds up and the potential for the battery to deliver the same amount of power decreases. This is one of the reasons that your battery will lose capacity (and therefore run time) as months go by.

In the old days, you could remove the back of your phone and replace the battery with a new one…problem solved. Or ever carry a spare (yes, some people would do this). But nowadays, manufacturers in their quest for the perfect, sleek, waterproof design have mostly eliminated that option, and battery replacement is a major, invasive undertaking that can cost a great deal of money. Batteries are better and last longer, but they still wear out.

Outdated Hardware

At some point in time, your phone will slow down. You may be able to rectify this by resetting it back to the way it came from the factory, but there will come a time when current standards are too much of a strain on your older device. This is going to happen to someone who uses multimedia features and gaming quicker than those who just text and call. Still, for those who use their phones as their primary internet device (whether it is Facebook or Google) progress will catch up to them and they will be limited by their hardware. When this happens is hard to say, but it will likely not be overnight, and you will have plenty of time to ponder your choices. Wanting the latest refresh rates, brightness, or cool form factor doesn’t count on our list of valid reasons to upgrade. Sorry.

Damage

Why do phones seem to find a way to fall out of your hand and land on the most vulnerable spots? Are screen protectors worth it? What kind of case should you get? You are probably familiar with all of these questions, and they are good questions to ask. Let’s begin by saying NO, manufacturers do not make phones that break easily to get you to buy new ones. The issue here is usually with the glass or with water damage.

Obviously, the screen on a phone must be made of a transparent material that is as tough as possible but sleek and “good looking”. This is usually Gorilla Glass, made by Corning. It is actually very hard (as hard as gemstones like sapphires) and much stronger than regular glass. It is very likely to resist scratches from keys and other metal objects in your pocket. To learn more about Gorilla Glass read this.

The problem is that it is still prone to breaking from impacts, especially on curved screens. Also, when screens break, they usually are impacted from the side, where they are the weakest. Should you buy a screen protector? Probably not. They likely will not save your screen from an impact of the magnitude required to break it, and since your screens are harder than your keys, you would just end up replacing the protector often as it gets scratched up with no real benefit.

The case is where you should spend your money. A good case CAN save your phone from damage, especially those that also cover the screen to some degree. My favorite is a wallet type case that also serves as, well, a wallet. When closed, it would offer the best protection from falls. Try to find one that only has limited space for credit cards, if you take our advice from this article. 

Boredom

One of the main reasons people decide to buy a new cell phone is because they are simply bored with the one they have. It’s like buying a new car. A new cell phone is a pleasant distraction, something to tell friends about, and for some an element of status. It’s not necessarily wrong to buy a new phone for enjoyment, but from a moneystretching point of view, it might not be the most financially sound decision.

If your phone still meets its obligations to you and you are the type who does like to stretch your money, then this reason should not apply. This is especially true for those who have finished paying for their phone through an installment plan. You have extra money each month now.

No Choice

There will be some situations in which there is no other option but to buy a new phone (new to you, not necessarily newly made). A lost phone might be lost forever, and afore mentioned water damage is often fatal for the device. However, a broken screen can be repaired. But this comes with a couple of caveats. If you have insurance on your phone, the cost can be minimal. If not, the cost can be substantial. But if your phone is still somewhat relevant, it might still be a better choice financially.

This also goes for a failing battery as well. Just be sure to have the work done by a reputable service and remember that breaking open the phone for a repair may alter the water resistance rating it used to have. Another scenario that might make sense is when you are giving your phone to someone who needs one (such as your children, family, or friends), and then replacing it.