When was the last time you bought a new smartphone? If it’s been several years, or you’re starting to notice your device is slowing down, not holding a charge for long, or you’re no longer able to update your favorite apps, it’s probably time to upgrade your smartphone.
Buying a new smartphone is a big investment. Even when you get a discount for a trade-in or upgrade your smartphone carrier, you can expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars to get a good phone. Thankfully, durable cases are affordable even for the most expensive smartphones, like the iPhone 16. That makes it a little less expensive to upgrade, but sometimes you don’t have a choice if you want to use your phone for certain tasks.
If you’ve been waiting to make a purchase because you aren’t sure if it’s worth the money, here’s how you can know if it’s time.
You can’t download or upgrade your favorite apps
If you’re trying to download specific apps to use for the first time, or if you can’t upgrade your existing apps, that’s a sign that it’s time to upgrade your smartphone. Not being able to use apps is usually more than just device compatibility.
Unfortunately, when apps are updated, they don’t always remain compatible with former versions of operating systems. It wasn’t always this way, but now you really do need to upgrade your smartphone to be able to use certain apps.
Sometimes you’ll be able to download and install older versions of an app, but it depends on your device and the app. Sometimes, older versions aren’t made available at all. If you rely on specific apps to get through your day, whether for personal use or work, upgrading your phone will become a necessity at some point.
Your battery won’t hold a charge long
There’s nothing more frustrating than watching your battery drain quickly and having to charge your phone multiple times a day. Your phone should last at least a day on one charge, and if it doesn’t, you only have three options: deal with a bad battery, replace it, or get a new one.
Depending on your phone, replacing a battery can be a significant expense. For example, you can expect to spend between $70 and $100 to replace an iPhone battery. If your phone is already old or you’re going to run down the battery over the next year, you may as well put that money into a new smartphone.
When you replace your smartphone, you’ll be starting out with a better battery. Today’s smartphones are made with batteries that last much longer. For example, if you own an iPhone 15 and don’t use your phone a lot, one charge can last about 50 hours. The new iPhone 16 is rumored to have an even better battery.
You can no longer get OS security updates
Being able to update your operating system to get security updates is essential. If there are any vulnerabilities on your device, hackers can work their way in and gain access to all of your personal data, including your browsing history, saved passwords, and financial data.
Suppose a hacker gets access to your device through a vulnerability in the operating system. In that case, it won’t be long before they’ll gain unauthorized access to any accounts connected to your device. For this reason alone, it’s wise to upgrade your smartphone when you can no longer download the operating system updates.
Your current phone is damaged
Some damage is fixable, but it will cost money. For example, if you own an iPhone 15 Pro, you can expect to pay $170 to $200 to repair cracked back glass, but the iPhone 14 can cost $500 to $550 for the same repair. You may as well buy a new phone if a common repair costs half the price of a new device. If you have AppleCare, it can cost as little as $30. However, you may not have coverage if you bought a used or refurbished phone.
It only takes one piece of cracked glass, a cracked screen, and/or a bad battery to rack up a repair bill that matches the cost of a new smartphone. If you might have more than one accident, you may as well upgrade your smartphone to the next in the lineup.
Sometimes, upgrading is the only option
While some people can get away with using the same phone for many years, that isn’t the case for everyone. If your phone is too old to keep secure, or you can’t use it for its intended purpose, it’s probably time to upgrade your smartphone.
Photo by picjumbo.com: Pexels
Kyle Lewis is a seasoned technology journalist with over a decade of experience covering the latest innovations and trends in the tech industry. With a deep passion for all things digital, he has built a reputation for delivering insightful analysis and thought-provoking commentary on everything from cutting-edge consumer electronics to groundbreaking enterprise solutions.
