Other How long do you keep your phone?

[cubbie5150]

Starting ~2002, I used to get a new phone every 12-18 months.

I'm currently still using an iPhone 6 (yes, "6", not "6s") that I ordered early morning of launch day back in 2014. I am one of the like 5 non-retired people in the world who actually uses his phone less than I did 10 years ago, LMAO. I'll likely finally upgrade during 2021; just not sure what flavor, but I will stick with iOS.

 

[Julienne]

Almost 11 years with my current phone. Without any repairs. Only issue, broken home button - thanks to assistive touch i’ve been using iPhone 4 until now.

WOW!!! I’m currently on my launch Date iPhone 6S Plus everything is fine, still on original battery. Hope to keep it till 10 Years. You’re post give some hope.

 

[Apple OC]

3+ years... I’m looking at this 12 Pro to last until 2024

 

[IceStormNG]

Usually, I get a new phone every two years because that's when my contract renews. So I can get one discounted.

This year, I might skip upgrading to a new phone. The Xs is still pretty good and I don't see anything compelling on the iPhone 12. Except the design and a bit camera (which I don't even use when I care about quality). For me, that's not enough for the price.

 

[MikeAK]

I'm currently still using my 6s 64GB and it's still going strong. Still on the same battery as well. We've gotten to a point in the phone landscape where I don't need more power. About 90% of my phone usage is texting, calling and emails. I don't need more power for those tasks and see no reason to continually spend for something new just to do what my current phone does without issues. I am only now just starting to think about upgrading and it's only because I'm coming to an end of my security updates.

Unless I run into hardware issues I know my next phone will last me another 5+ years.

 

[NewBench]

To take advantage of all the new features, the improved cameras (until you can go back in time, your memories deserve to be captured using the best available tech at the time), the performance enhancements, security enhancements, display improvements, additional RAM to realise the most advanced apps at their full potential, new hardware designs that add to the experience, new hardware technologies such as LiDAR, the list goes on and on and on.

😂

Yes I'm really going to regret taking that family photo with the 11 Pro's camera instead of a 12 Pro's camera. Going to have to live with that decision for the rest of my life.

 

[dumastudetto]

😂

Yes I'm really going to regret not taking that family photo with the 11 Pro's camera instead of a 12 Pro's camera. Going to have to live with that decision for the rest of my life.

At least you're aware of the downsides of your flawed decision.

 

[sahni130]

I am tempted every year but I usually make myself wait two years, usually. Though I did make it 3 years with the 6 Plus (least favorite). It's literally the device I use most except for my work computer, I enjoy tech, and it's my only camera as well. I do have a MacBook and Apple TV + sound system setup but most of the time, even at home, it is usually my primary web surfing and streaming device as well. It's worth it for me. Will continue to get the Pro Max- absolutely love it. I usually pass down the older phone to my older parents (except this year where Dad has the SE 2020 and mom insisted on the 12 pro max) or trade it in. I like to keep them on iPhones and iCloud to keep it simple.

 

[GrandeLatte]

Forget about the past. From now on, probably every 2 years. I have many expenses, I really don't need to have a new phone every year.

 

[Robbosan]

Up to a year, my 11 pro lasted 13 months, 12 lasted 4 months, 12 pro max I have had for 3 weeks may last longer, the weight and size is way over exaggerated on here.

 

[Steve Adams]

I wanted to our two iphone 8s, but mine started developing connectivity issues both on wifi and LTE, turns out it was my sim card causing the issues. We had our 8s for over 2 years and the battery life was good, loved the form factor of the phone, and it was fast. We both upgraded to 11's about 6 months ago, They are good, but I like ALOT of things about the 8 better. I like the smaller size, touch id, and touch id. Did I mention touch ID? I like the screen in my 11 better, and battery life is KILLER with it. OH, forgot the camera array, it's way better on the 11. I would love to have a full screen phone in the exact dimension body of the 8. with the 11's camera array and in screen touch ID sensor. I hope my 11 lasts me, because I don't want to be wasting money on upgrading again for awhile.

 

[itsmeorthedog]

I’m looking to keep my 12 until my contract ends. I have an iPad that I use when I’m home and phone is for when I’m out and about.
I will say the 12 is the first iPhone I’ve ever had and absolutely loving it.

 

[jr866gooner]

I tend to upgrade just shy of two years but I’m unsure what I’ll do this time. I’m paying monthly at the moment and am currently paying more off every other month right now so could be on course to upgrade again later in the year. The performance of my iPhone 12 though could mean I keep this phone for 3 years and not two. We shall see.

 

[IPhonegirl1889]

i had my iphone 8 since 2018 and it still works pretty well

 

[Rashy]

2010 - iPhone 4
2013 - iPhone 5S
2016 - iPhone 7
2020 - iPhone 12

(...)
So 3 or 4 years is good for me !

Nice, I went exactly the same model history
Just one year delayed, so I saved quite some money by only buying the "second-newest" each time.
Differences between models had been huge back then (like 256 vs 512MB RAM, Retina, HD-Video, Touch ID, OiS...) but nowadays, I would be totally fine with an XR or 11, if they just hadn't been that ridiculously big and heavy. So I will probably go for the 12 or maybe 12 Mini at the end of this year. I am still quite happy with my 7 btw. The A10 keeps it snappy for any daily task. Battery life (replaced last year) is so-so.

Unless having a specific contract, I regard a new purchase every year as pretty silly (including trolls like dumastudetto), both for the environment and your wallet. Rather keep your phones a bit longer and look forward to enjoying bigger feature and performance jumps.

 

[taneff]

Till 2 years ago, it was clear to me to update each year. Many times there were massive device upgrades. And always the flagship one, the most expensive, size most of the time switched each year. I had every iPhone generation from the first to the last besides the 3GS and 5. But it has started to go much slower. If the 12 Mini wouldn't have been released this season I would have kept my 6.1 iPhone 11. It is still an amazing device, besides not being the flagship. I will upgrade to the 13 Mini, but mostly because it will be the last Mini. Then I don't know. Maybe the rumored much lighter Non Pro 14 Max as a second device, keeping the 13 Mini for a long time.
I always wanted the latest and greatest. I don't if it's only that I am too getting a little older, prioritizing other stuff or if smartphone updates just keep getting more and more boring.... But I am not so keen anymore on upgrading each year, and most of all not to the flagship anymore.

 

[TiggrToo]

To take advantage of all the new features, the improved cameras (until you can go back in time, your memories deserve to be captured using the best available tech at the time), the performance enhancements, security enhancements, display improvements, additional RAM to realise the most advanced apps at their full potential, new hardware designs that add to the experience, new hardware technologies such as LiDAR, the list goes on and on and on.

And that's irrelevant to many people.

I could upgrade often if I wanted to - for cash. I chose not to because my current device - 7+ - fits my needs perfectly.

And yes I work in IT. I'm old and mature enough to decide that unless there's a critical reason to, I can choose when to go bleeding edge and when not to.

I brought my 9.3 Pro launch day - still use it today. Ditto my Series 3 and 6 watches (3's now my night watch).

High probability I'll buy the new iPad next week on launch day as well since that's my work based workhorse. Phone? May wait until the 14 comes out.

 

[SoYoung]

Over the years I realized I practically use my phone as an.... actual phone and I barely use it at home except if I’m far away from my computer or iPad plus nowadays phones are very strong performance wise so I plan to keep it as long as it works well for me (I expect at least 3 to 5 years)

i much prefer my iPad Pro (it’s the cellular version so even more useful) and my computer for bigger, more comfortable screens.

 

[daimos]

I have the 7.

 

[alphasports]

I keep a spreadsheet of expenses over the years and just checked phones...in terms of keepers I have gone thru 11 in the last 10 years, and this doesn't include many catch-and-releases/resales. Of those 11 I still have 2 in use (Pixel 5 and OP7t) plus an original iphone SE to control family sharing, as well as an old Note 2 that while unused is still in inventory. Of those 11 about 2/3 are androids, the rest iOS. Going back past the 11 years we're getting into blackberry and the original iphones, let's leave those alone haha!

So yeah, kind of surprised I'm averaging more than one phone a year, thought it was much longer.

 

[5425642]

I have a "plan" from my cellphone provider that I swap iPhone once a year. I'm kind of leasing ut I'm paying 40 euro a month for the phone and free data etc.

 

[jcorbin]

That’s pretty good

 

[Steve Adams]

Just coming back to this thread for a min. I just took my old iphone 6s, which my son now uses. I am updating it to 14.5, it still has 89% battery health after almost 6 years of constant usage. That's pretty dang impressive imo. The value of iPhones are great. I am getting bored with iOS and how "the same" it is. If they just give us some more freedom in customization if we wanted it like launchers and icon packs. It would make the phone exciting again. As it stands right now. It's "yay" another iPhone. same as the last one. Nothing is fresh and exciting anymore. there is just only so many camera updates that you can stomach. Please apple, give us a bone here and open up the UI a bit for us long time users. Also, give us a pencil mini for use on iphone. Don't limit it to the MAX model either. Not all of us want a huge phone.

 

[Momof2.1107]

My 12 Pro Max has been jailbroken, a little over a month now and I love the customizations so much, that I’m definitely keeping my phone for another year. Plus I love the Pacific Blue color, that I’m not ready to part from.

 

[NFernoSlyr]

2008- iPhone 3G
2010- iPhone 4
2014- iPhone 6+ (new batt last year, use just on wifi with google voice and music during yardwork)
2017- iPhone X
2018- iPhone XS Max
2020- iPhone 12 Pro & iPhone 12 mini