XS Max when it came out. About £1000 @Travis MCP you should do a video on most cost effective for trading in your old phone for the latest phone, 1, 2 or 3 years
I spending less on phone from $1000 6 years ago to $399 3 years ago to $199 one month ago. Basically, I find the $199 phone is comparable to my flagship phone 6 years ago. In terms of features such as smoothness and camera quality, I am happy with my $199 Vivo Y19. My last phone was Mi Mix 2 and before that Note 3. In fact, compare to Note 3, I am happier with my Mi Mix 2 which comes with a charger and a case. My Vivo Y19 even better comes with a charger, case, and pre-apply screen protector so I don't even need to worry about the hassle of buying and applying screen protection all for the low low price of $199. It's amazing. Another good point is Vivo Y19 has no bloatware. Samsung Note has more bloatware which I am very irritated with. Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 no third parties bloatware so it ok I guess. Samsung is the worst, preinstall game that is unremovable.
Not really. I just use the phone credit. I went from an s9+ to a Note 9 to an s10+ to a Note 10+. All by using trade in credits. So I was paying around $500 for each phone. Plus around the time the Note 9 came out, I had just started a job paying 6 figures & no family. My girlfriend told me that I was being ridiculous upgrading my phone 6 months. So now I'm just waiting for the Note 20.
@@i_watch_everything Cyber Security Consultant for AWS. Basically I look for people trying to hack in the servers. Depending on the severity of it. I track them down & give their IP address to the higher-ups. Then they decide whether to take legal action.
@@Undecided0 You are not being ridiculous.. you are being wasteful and not very clever as 500 thrown away every six months.. Is around 70000k in velocity banking through a mortgage.. Basically a 'new money' mistake.
So replace the battery. Cheaper than a new phone Still on an iPhone 7 with a second ever battery I replaced 2 years ago. Still no issues and does all I need it to do.
I have a hand-me-down iPhone 6 for 3 years now. Battery’s at 80+, but it’s starting to lag and it’s harder to use cellular data (keeps disconnecting). Should I upgrade already? HAHAHA
I upgrade when my internal memory gets full and my phone starts to do funky stuff. Like re-booting by itself, shutting off while in use, taking forever to load...etc. maybe 3 to 4 yrs
Clearing the cache partition usually solves that issue once you remove some files (assuming you don't have a sd card). You can do it pretty easily in the power menu. Either that or set your phone to reboot once a month or so
@@franklingoodwin Most Android doesn't have a cache partition anymore since Nougat. They changed it specifically so the old issues of cache problems related to old app installations are no longer a factor.
Couldn’t have said it better. And the non tech heads don’t get it.. I get asked, “why do you buy a new phone every year, what’s wrong with yours it’s a waste of money!” by the same people who buy a pack of cigarettes every week.
I upgraded to a smartphone when my carrier notified me that my flip phone was going to be no longer compatible with their service. I brought a refurbished Samsung Orbit J3 for about $45 My insurance plan? I bought a second Orbit six months later for $35. Phones are definitely a tool to me and should last five years.
every banking app and maps work even the slowest of the smartphones. my mother in law has a galaxy s5 active till now. she only wants google maps, the banking app and the electricity provider app. thats it. no facebook no messenger nothing
I don’t have money.... ever... and still make a stupid excuse to upgrade yearly....but I finally get my iPhone X for 2 years before upgrading... possibly the worst phone to keep for 2 years 😂
@@tony2473 my brother and I kept the original iPhone SE's for close to 3 years (mine I fried on accident when I was replacing the battery). I got the s9 on June 2019. Brother got the iPhone 11 on December 2019 (unknowingly doesn't have an oled screen). Forgot to add he got $200 in Costco credit for trading in his SE
I’m an iPhone user. Most iPhones are by definition boring: they all look and do the same things in the same way; OK some are better in particular aspects, but I can admit that they are all boring!!! That’s what many Android users say about iPhones too!
Lol I read this question and immediately said 2 years on my head. I had my Samsung s3 for 3 years. After about 2-3 years, I moved to another country and I decided to buy the s6 edge. And last year my headphones would just get out of my phone all the time. Then I bought some cheap Bluetooth earphones. Then my USB port broke and I'd have to always check if the phone was charging. It had become pretty slow too... Sooo I got the s10. I used to still use my s6 as a remote for my "smart lights" but then I lent it to someone to use it as a GPS in their car. Haha
Travis MCP It varies, my first phones were prepaid budget phones that lasted me only a year before I got a flagship phone which is the Samsung S7 Edge when it was released and I kept that for 3 years until the S10 Plus was released. I’m stuck at the family plan in the phone bills so I couldn’t upgrade if I want to until my phone is no longer useable which my S7 Edge did when it started slowing down and the battery can only last for half of my work day before I have to charge it again.
I’m a tech nerd an I know the answer to the question...it pretty simple too, the answer is . AS long as you feel it’s working for you doing what u need it to do
I am into the Apple ecosystem so when my phone gets outdated and no longer receive software updates then will upgrade Usually 3 years later or 4 years Not 2 years and will never dare to even break the tech cause now it’s getting very expensive year by year
Baconface McGee my launch-day X is getting a bit long in the tooth for me. I want a 12 Pro Max this year. Not that I couldn’t deal with it for another year, but my mom’s 6S (my old phone) is *really* long in the tooth so we both need an upgrade.
I always love the new software and hardware updates. I tend to upgrade about every 3 years with Samsung since they tend to only support big updates every 3 years. Upgrading my S9+ to the S21+ this week.
I use Samsung S20+, It's been 3 years already, still get regular system update and it still works perfectly. Maybe I won't change for the next 2 years. So yeah, I could say : depending your phone. Low budget phone: Change every 2 years. Mid budget phone: Change every 2-3 years Flagship: change every 3-5 years, maybe more.
Travis, just wanted to say your videos are top shelf quality 👌🏼. How you have less than 100k subs is one of life's mysteries. Love your channel mate 👍🏼
I was grandfathered into an old Sprint plan that was giving me a "legacy" discount phone upgrades up until a couple years ago, so I am probably in the "when it breaks" crowd now
Right on. I'll be happy with my note 9 for quite some time. In my opinion it's the last true galaxy note before they started robbing customers of features.
Yes! Both my mom and I got the s9's last year on may and June. I got my sister a refurbished Note 9 for $300 (Big screen is REQUIRED. She likes drawing too 😌). All 3 of us have no reason to upgrade our phones now for about 2 more years.
@@RirtyDascal Same here. I only moved from the note 4 to the 9 because my 4 would overheat and reboot. I had to put it on an air conditioner vent to safely transfer everything to the new phone. I had to rush to get a phone that night due to being on the job. Ran in the last 30 minutes of the store closing.
When I used Apple years ago my last upgrade was from the 6s Plus to the iPhone X, so 2 years. This is also when I started my path on Android, using the iPhone X and Note 8, eventually finding my way to 100% Android. While on Android I upgraded sometimes every 6 months, it was crazy. Now, a major life change moment... My daughter heads off to college in the fall and she uses an iPhone, to make sure I have a phone that is going to work flawlessly with hers for text messages, FaceTime, being able to simply send high quality pics back and forth through text, etc. I bought an iPhone. I not only bought an iPhone but made the decision to go 100% Apple, zero Android products, and I'm absolutely loving my decision. I fully expect my upgrade cycle to fall back into an average of 18 months just depending on what Apple comes out with year to year. So I found my upgrade cycle dependent on what OS I am using, Android, so many options, always chasing the next best thing, iPhone, stability, already knowing you have the next best thing that works flawlessly and is always on the most up to date OS.
I had an iPhone X for about 2 years. I had planned on keeping it one more year, but when I saw that the iPhone 11 had gigabit LTE, I decided not to wait. I know for sure I’m passing on the 12. Depending on Verizon’s 5G coverage when the 13 comes out, I may pass that one as well. I travel a lot for work, and I want to wait on 5 G until it has pretty much finished implemented.
Dear Travis, I‘m kind of an specs-junkey. Means, I upgrade every year, because usually the iphones get better specs every year. Here in Switzerland, if one doesn’t want or can’t spend 1400-1500 $ for a new iPhone, we get a 2 years contract with a carrier to pay off the new phone. Fortunately the carrier I‘m using, has got an upgrade option to get the newest iPhone every year. The strangest part, I don’t really need all the 3 cameras of the most recent iPhone. Or the power upgrade with the new A12, A13 chips, I don’t really take advantage of. One of the most important reason to get an iPhone, the update release is worldwide on the same day. Greetings from Winterthur (Switzerland)
This September will be 3 years that I’ve had my phone. iPhone 8 Plus 64 GB model, and it still works with no problems at all for me. May end up keeping it another 2 years before I upgrade
I've had my s9 for literally a year (bought on June 23rd, 2019). 1 month before that, my mom got her s9 (both cost $400 at Best buy + tax). We both see no reason to upgrade now for possibly another 2 years (when security updates stop). My sister had an LG stylo 2 for 2.5 years before I got her the LG v20 for $110 (mainly for the camera upgrade and removable battery). She still has the phone, but now uses a Note 9 that I bought for her, refurbished, on eBay. $300 plus tax ($321US). TLDR: She is vision impaired and NEEDS the bigger screen. And it's another camera upgrade for her.
Hi Travis. So I buy my phones used off eBay. That way I save money. I’m on a prepaid Verizon plan with tracphone. I’m an iPhone user so I upgraded to an XR back in March of this year. I plan on keeping this phone for 3 to 4 years. It’s a solid phone. Just saw your other video about iPhone XR on amazon renewed. Keep up the great work. 👍🏻
I'm still using my s7. It works and I dont have any problem with speed and storage is as simple as getting a new sd card. I dont see any need to upgrade for another few years
I used to upgrade every year because I loved the innovation each new android phone brought. I did it from 2011 to 2016 every 10-13 months or so. Since then (with the S7 edge), I found myself enjoying the "new device" experience for longer. Marshmallow felt really good in that device as well so I stayed with it for nearly two years. After that, I had the V30, which at first I loved but then I kinda became disappointed with android overall. I recently got an iPhone 11 and despite coming to it thinking I would hate the screen, I actually really enjoy it and don't mind it at all. I easily see myself lasting more than two years with this one
Hey, I know you commented this two years ago, but this dilemma is as old as time. I'm on the s22 ultra and I love the screen. Going to an iPhone with the bezels and notch/"island" seems like a downgrade. The software experience and fluidity on the iphone seems like a huge upgrade. So much that I'm considering it. Are you still on the same iphone? Still enjoying the screen? I think I'll try the 15 pro/pro max
@@hobosnake1 I had the 11 for nearly two years nov2019-oct2021, now I have the 13 pro. But I only switched cause I could, not because I needed to. For all the improvements the 13 brings I still miss how solid of a phone overall the 11 was, especially for the price coming from apple. I recommend switching if you prefer stability/fluidity over eyecandy, especially because iOS stays responsive way past 2 years
@Angel F. Zayas Thank you. Your experience in the original comment is basically where I'm at right now. Feeling a bit disappointed and bored with the android side of things. Glad you've arrived at something you like. Personally, I love 120hz so I fully support you going to a 13 pro. I was used to 120hz displays for a long time before they were coming to phones, so it's kind of a must have for me.
I have the Mate 10 Pro, I like it a lot, but since a few months, the phone is lagging, apps are crashing down or don't work well. The battery still is spectacular and also the UI they've updated a few days ago. But I'm planning on switching to iOS and getting an iPhone, particularly the 12 Pro when it'll be released. Since Android probably won't update to Android 11 on my current phone, I'd like to experience the benefit of Apple users who get updates for 5-6 years for all models
I was an Android user, years back. I switched to iOS when the iPhone 4S was released. I’ve been happy with the software, the updates but always missed the customization that came with Android. Well, I will miss it no more! iOS 14 is giving us a lot more freedom to customize our screens and our phones. Give iOS a chance when the 12’s come out! You will NOT regret it.
@@mattd8670 thank you for) very much for sharing your experience! That's exactly what I'm looking for with iOS. I enjoyed customizing my phones earlier, too. But at a certain point you want simplicity and quality, and that's why I'll switch to an iPhone
@@mattd8670 I'm an iPhone user currently...iOS 14 is an improvement...yes but it will never offer the same customization and or flexibility as Android....that's part of the iPhones biggest strengths....but also its greatest weakness. If you want quality in the Android space equivalent to that of the iPhone...buy Samsung.
I still have an s8 that's going strong. No lag or hiccups but I want to get either a pixel for the stock Android experience and more years for updates or another Samsung phone for one UI 2.0.
I upgrade after a few years, or when phone starts acting up. Haven't upgraded for a few years as phone prices have gotten soo much higher now. over $1000 for the higher end phones. Still using a LG G5, has a heavy duty case on it and is like new, medium to heavy use every day.
V40 about year and a half old still looks identical as NEW not even a tiny scratch, battery life down to about 75 or 80% but stable there now. quad DAC is awesome. Runs like butter.
the best security is the user. if you basically roll social media, RU-vid, messages you can keep your phone after it stops receiving security updates. I never used anti virus in any of my devices in the last 10 years, never got hacked.
Yes! I always buy Apple Care when I get my phones. It basically turns my $1,250 phone into almost $1,500 but it gives me the peace of mind that if I break it, I’m good to go.
I bought my first cell phone in late 2006. I lost it in 2013, and replaced it with my second at that time. That phone just broke this summer, so I bought my 3rd this week. So every 7 years. Cell phone 1 turned up a few months later under the sofa cushions and it still worked.
I'm still using my iPhone 5S I bought when they came out, it does all the things that I want it to, so will I upgrade, hell no, why do you really need the latest to make a call.
Yes these people replacing phones willy nilly are pretty irrational. I just replaced the OEM battery in my 5s for $40...I wonder if they replace their cars when the battery dies or if the air is low in their tires.
my FREE smart phone lasted 7 years. ... Samsung Amp Pro 2 Wierd thing is ... my outdated cell phone ... has a more powerful cpu & better bluetooth & wifi than my $500 PC desktop. (so I use the PHONE for gaming - better than using the $500 PC !? ) faster wifi & a usb to hdmi cable to connect to the tv) NEED wifi for the internet connection & Bluetooth for the wireless gaming controller ... & a HDMI cable to connect to a TV.
My last upgrade is a little bit of a story. I had the iPhone 6 16GB Space Gray for years and loved it. Great video and picture quality, everything was great, except Apple were no longer updating it after 5 years. I decided in time for an important date about 8 months ago that I wanted to upgrade, so keeping an eye on my budget, I upgraded to the iPhone SE 2nd Gen ($399 + taxes and a $20 upgrade fee). Great device for me, and I really enjoyed it. This would last me... I thought. I then found that there was an excellent trade in deal on the device through Verizon, and I decided to indulge in an iPhone 12 mini ($699 + upgrade fee, minus $579 trade in over 24 months in account credit, more than I paid for the device). It had the small size I wanted, and I was really thinking of 5G future proofing and pictire and video quality. After upgrading to the 12 mini, I realized in retrospect that this was a bit of a course correction, and it is best to get the best device when it comes time to upgrade so that it will last longer before shelling out for the next one. Althouhg the SE 2020 is an excellent device, and I really liked it, I do regret not waiting for the 12 mini, which I find to be a far more satisfying device on many levels. I am very sure that this device will last a long time for me, and will certainly last me for as long as the iPhone 6 did.
I upgraded from a Note4 to Note10+. I looked at other phones for several years prior to upgrading, but nothing excited me until the Note10 was introduced. I look at formfactor and functionality before deciding to upgrade, not just that a new model is out or my number of years of ownership. I'm constantly looking at what new features are available, but it has to excite me with exciting and practical functionality to get me to make the change. Most year-to-year updates are frankly very boring.
You milked it, well done. 5 plus years is good 👍 I had a note 4 and thought about extending to 5 years but my dad got me a note 8. The newer phones last longer. You might even get 7 plus years on the note 10
We (my wife and I) upgrade about every two years. For us it’s 2 main reasons, 1) camera improvements and 2) newer battery. We give our “old” phones to our kids, so this way we only need to buy 2 new phones every 2 years, and the kids get our 2-year old phones to use for an additional two years. So I guess you could say that we keep our phones 4 years before trading them in.
To the Note 4 user, YOU'RE A HERO! My favorite note! And I have a note 8. I miss the removable battery. I had the spare battery accessory and was NEVER tethered to the wall. Sorry for your loss...
My iPhone 7 Plus “lasted” for 4 years I upgraded to iPhone 11PM to take advantage of the plan My older iPhone 7P was still consistent with its speed although it’s still being used If it wasn’t for the promo, I’d remain with iPhone 7P until the time comes
I got a 4, 4S, 5S, 6S, X. 1 year, two years, two years, three years, and the X is almost at three years now and will almost certainly be replaced this year. Meanwhile my mom has been using my previous phone since that 4S. Which means she’s currently using my 6 year old 6S (albeit with a new screen and battery a few years ago and recently a Lightning port replacement). Which, as long as you can do those repairs yourself means I got a *lot* of mileage out of that phone, expensive as it was.
I have a Galaxy Note 9 and is now 5 years old and got it's final update earlier this year. I have no reason to get a new phone, my current phone does everything I need it to and functions just fine. (note: I just bought a new case for it to swap out the day 1 case)
I only upgrade when I HAVE to because "dialing" parts of the screen no longer responded (Galaxy s3 2014-16), or battery doesn't hold a charge & overheats (Galaxy s7 2016-2023). Have to say Galaxy s7(the 2016 Flagship) has proven a Wonderful Investment! It's been a WORKHORSE for SEVEN YEARS, & for 1yr. it was my TOTAL COMPUTER because I didn't have internet after I moved. I Hate to Give It Up--it's not just a PHONE, IT'S A GEM!!
I upgrade when the battery has deteriorated so much that I need to charge the phone several times a day, or when the phone is so slow that it's hardly usable anymore. This usually takes 3-4 years. I was able to keep my first smart phone for 5 years thanks to interchangeable batteries, but that's unfortunately not a thing anymore.
My first smart phone was the Galaxy S4. Lasted almost 5 years before it died. My second and current phone is the iPhone 8 Plus. I will use that till the end as well.
I’m still using a Galaxy 4! It is 6 years old. I want a new phone and I am struggling with Android 20+ or IPhone 11 Pro Max. My mother’s has the same model Galaxy 4 and I really don’t know what to do for her.
Over 3k votes is actually a really good representation of the overall population, but since people are more into tech I figure people who watch this channel will upgrade more often than the general population
I'm still on my iPhone 7 that I've had for coming up on 4 years. Replaced the battery 2 years ago when it was losing capacity and no issues. My previous phone was an iPhone 5S that I gave to my mother in law and its had it battery replaced by her and I had that phone for 3 years, so she's using a 7 year old phone with no issues. I'll replace mine when it breaks or can't keep up with security patches.
I use to do every six months. Now it's a bit longer. But usually when it's time. Currently I need a new one since I can't hear people speak without putting the phone on speaker
I recently switched to from an iPhone to an Android. I got the Samsung a51, and I plan to keep it until it dies or quits working working with cell towers. I do not need it for much. Just calling and texting.
I'm still rocking my Pixel 2 XL. It's running great and the camera is still fantastic. I upgrade when I need to do so or if there is some great deal. Prior to the Pixel 2 XL I had a Samsung S7. It started having charging issues which is why I decided to upgrade. The Pixel had a special for President's Holiday I believe, so I got it. I'm frustrated with the cost of flagships. While I'm not a bleeding edge buyer, I do like a high quality device with plenty of storage because I shoot loads of pictures. And, of course, a great camera is a must.
When it breaks it's usually cause of the battery. My Note 9 battery got to were it wouldn't hold a charge. It only lasted a year. It also got very hot.
Three are 6 phones in my family. Every two years, the oldest phone start having problems (speakers, screen, etc.). That's the time for that to say good bye. Then all family members pass every phone to the older phone owner. That way, all people get a newer phone, all phones are used the maximum possible time and we only need to buy one new phone. Of course, that match the contracts as well.
That's a really good option. Not only do you save money on phones you are reducing e waste too. I am thinking of doing the same but no phone lasts for more than 2 years in my hand.
cost of Texting ... was by the number of characters you sent ... ( which led kids coming up with abbreviations & a secret language ... LOL, smh & PLOMS ( parents looking over my shoulder )
I used to be like the guy who upgraded at least once a year, usually more frequently, but with how good phone are now, and how little the year by year improvements actually are. I plan on keeping my current phone until it no longer does what i need it to do, or some sort of dramatic improvement is made, like a phone that charges wirelessly through a WiFi router or something and never needs to be plugged in.
Thanks for the vid. Question: For phones no longer supported with security patches from manufacturer, would using mobile Internet security for antivirus, malware, etc. suffice?
I don't think so. Exploits are problems at the core OS level that cannot be solved by antivirus or other software. Think of it like a lock that can be opened by giving it a kick. Antivirus software just sits on top of it, like giving the lock two coats of paint. However, the underlying problem with the lock is still there. And if someone wanted to, they could just kick it open and steal your stuff.
I used to upgrade every year...switching between iPhone and Android. Left iOS behind after the iPhone 7...when Apple leveraged Qualcomm on their GSM phones and went to the awful Intel modem. You're so right about operating system longevity...Android manufacturers abandon their customers. To motivate them, crowd-sourcing should be implemented. I would gladly pay $20 for the current operating system. Most would. I've had the LG G8 since launch in April 2019. I love the phone and LG has captured my heart. I paid $309 after adding a much-needed line of service on T-Mobile. Phone features are compelling to each user. I love the G8's 32-bit Hi-Fi QuadDAC, headphone jack, awesome auto/manual cameras and video capability, their face/fingerprint unlock, and volume rocker shutter button. The 6.1 screen is the perfect size for me.
Same. I don't want a punch hole or notch. The 8pro let me down. I don't care about wireless charging. It's only fast on a few phones now and really heats the phone up. Had it on my note 8 and didn't really use or care for it. I have a couple friends that it caused the wireless charger to burn out so I'm good on that.
Rockin' my 7Pro. This was the last good phone that OnePlus made. People are fidgety about the popup camera but I've NEVER and I mean NEVER had an issue with the selfie camera. The Lack of wireless charging and an official IP rating was nowhere near a big deal for me. I get that some people like to have those features so I'm not knocking you if you do. (Some users are more prone to water damage) As a matter of fact, if Apple is selling the iPhone SE2 which has Wi-Ca and an IP rating then I think the rest of the budget/mid-rangers should start including those on their models. But, again, for me, it just wasn't a make or break deal at the time and I still can live without them. I used to have a Note 4 and although the Stylus was cool and you could buy a Samsung wireless charging back to adapt to it (Which I never bought) - to this day my 7Pro and even the OnePlus 6 that I gave to my wife are still running smoothly and work great.
Travis I think some people are rather hard on their phones. I was using an iPhone 6 until Christmas 2019 when I upgraded my daughter to XR and I took her iPhone 8. So I am considering the 12 but my phone is still in good shape. I case them and use a screen protector. I upgrade typically when the tech moves enough that I want the features, but I also consider it a badge of honor to be able to maintain a device for years.
My favorite phone was actually my Samsung Galaxy S6. I got it when it originally released, and luckily that phone had an unlocked bootloader at release. So, after about 2 years, I wanted to keep it, but I felt like I was missing out on newer software. Cyanogenmod was still around, and it had a powerful, updated daily, option for the S6. I was able to keep the phone for another year until it kept locking up or crashing on me.
I upgraded after 3 years or when my phone breaks, Left apple to s20 ultra for now but I’ll be back cause Travis right once your security update are done their no more it be time to get a new phone.
Security updates go for 3-4 yrs on Android. Also, all the apps you use like RU-vid, IG, FB, etc all get updates/security patches from their developers regularly. So, what's the issue if you upgrade every 3 yrs?
If money was no issue, I would say upgrade every 2 years. I honestly can't justify upgrading your phone every year. Most times, the changes are so small it's not worth it, and your existing phone is usually still serviceable and works perfectly fine. I'd say as long as it's been over a year, whenever there is a major hardware revision of your platform/brand (ie: iPhone, Samsung galaxy/note,etc) with major changes, then it is time to upgrade.
I had a pixel XL for the longest until it broke out of insurance. The price to fix it was too much so I instead bought 2 nexus 6p(128gb) and put the pixel rom on it. I've been using those ever since.
Same here. Only issue I have had is currently the audio or mic stops working after shooting video for approx 1 min. Have to give Samsung credit here on the update side as I received the last security patch this past April. That's just over 4 yrs since purchase. Phone resides in a Spigen Rugged Armor case, both the case and the phone still look great!
My phone is a productivity tool, not a toy or entertainment device. I spent a week customizing it (rooting & custom ROM) and don't want to be doing that frequently. So I'm only replacing it when the hardware becomes unusable (which might be soon because the battery can't hold a charge anymore and screen damage is becoming bothersome). It's a LG G2 in case you were wondering. You don't get your money's worth if replacing something prematurely which holds true for phones, cars, home audio, etc.
phones have become like regular clothing/shoes where the life expectancy is getting shorter and more sales/deals come up and it gets replaced not to mention the pace which phone techs are advancing/improving, 2 to 3 years is a big gap you bring up some great points that not everyone talks about, nice job and keep up the good work
For most people, if the phone works, and you can do basic internet surfing, and take basic pictures/videos-you don’t need to upgrade to a new phone. Phones are now a mature product, and are expensive to replace. Only a power user really needs to update (or if you lose/break your phone). The survey makes sense.
My brother changes almost every year and goes for the crazy high-end phones of close to a grand and does the same thing on them as he could on the older phone lol. Me, I upgrade every 3 or so years and even then I don't go for the high-end phones and mostly mid tier phones because I used to go for higher end phones and upgraded more but in the end, I ended up seeing that I used the new phone almost the same way I did the old phone to the degree that I could more or less do everything I did on the new phone but on the old phone without really losing much performance, I see so many people upgrading their phones and using it exactly the same way they did before which is a waste of money to me. In the end, I find it's not worth upgrading that much unless it's a massive upgrade over what you have or they drop the price they are asking for new phones.
Fun video topic and interesting findings! I definitely fall into the "only upgrade when I have to" camp - either my phone is so slow that it's causing frustration, the apps I use are no longer supported, or Apple stops supporting the phone with security updates (in other words, it's obsolete). If I break my screen or the battery loses charge, I prefer to replace the part rather than the phone. I also tend to buy close to the base model - currently rocking the iphone SE 2020, though I may opt for something with better cameras next time since phones last so long now.
Spot on about Security Updates, and other Security issues can cause a switch. I buy my phones then get SIM Only Contracts here in the UK, for getting on 10 years. BlackBerry were good security wise, lasted well, plus you could get spare batteries. A Lenovo P2 phone I bought was a great phone, but 6 months later it was confirmed it wasn’t going to get Security Updates. Sis still uses that as a spare phone with nothing important on it. Good Security is an increasing problem, and it sinks in when your Bank Account gets hacked. So I recently looked to replace a Nokia phone that has turned out not to be as secure as I hoped, despite regular updates. Talked to a friend with a Galaxy S8, found he’s still getting updates, and stared looking at reviews of new(er)Galaxy phones. Saw first switch on from unboxing and noticed Protected by Knox Security, so looked it up - it’s multi layered and is good enough to provide confidence in Samsung Pay . So I ended up getting a new Galaxy Note 9 very very cheap, and I’m really impressed for under 30% launch price. It’s UK so Exynos chipset, the only downside, so was looking at perhaps pairing it with a S10e if I could get a USA one with a Qualcomm chipset. Then, looking to ditch this iPad, I saw a Tab 6 could be used to make calls and texts with a Galaxy phone, and started looking for a Tab 6 bargain. Found a 6gb 128gb LTE model for a lot less than the WiFi in the UK, and presently waiting for that big phone to arrive. These sealed phones have created a serious problem for phone Life. Rapid charging lithium batteries shortens their life, and the batteries are only rated for a max 5 year life anyway. By then, their internals have started to dissolve, so especially if fast charging, I’d get that battery changed within 4 years. I’ve never needed a waterproof phone anyway, so swappable batteries and headphone jacks please? I’m even ditching this ok Panasonic TV to get a Samsung one with Knox Security, when the right deal comes along. Can Knox be improved on? Probably, but until bette Security comes along it’ll do, and if it warns me about a security risk like it did with Google’s Gboard , I won’t install it. All the best. Bob. 👍🏴
I got almost 5 years out of my last phone, and Moto G3. I kept it up to date with newer Android custom roms over the years. I finally replaced it last month when the USB charging port got so finicky it wouldn't charge unless you were able to get the cord at a certain angle, and the battery itself only lasted about half a day. Yeah I waited way too long, but I certainly got my money's worth out of it.
My last upgrade was just to get Face ID on iPhone. I did wait for a good deal at Walmart though. Tip. Walmart usually gives you the full discount upfront. You don’t have to get it in monthly pieces or loose it because you upgraded early.
You don't need to take care of that decision the manufacturers with their new non removable battery design force you to change your phone after 2 to 3 years.
I like and appreciate Travis' videos that focus on real life instead of high end new releases. My last phone was a OnePlus2 before replacing it with an LG G7, Aug 2019. I was trying to hold out for a 5G phone but couldn't say no to the G7 for $190 to the door. Having hind sight I will never pay top dollar for the latest "flagship" phone, better things to do with my money. Travis is 100% correct on phones/companies like the TCL 10. They probably won't ever compete at the high end but will start to eat the lunch of the competition at mid to low end of the market. This new wave of mid to low end value manufacturers, mostly Chinese, will help to control spiraling prices. Why would you spend top dollar when you can get 90% of a current flagship phone for a third of the expense?
I upgraded this past April from my 15-month-old S10+ to the Galaxy Fold. I'm eligible to upgrade every 12 months with AT&T's Next plan, and I figured it was time to go all in on the foldable smartphone/tablet technology. It's usually every 14-17 months when I upgrade my phone on average. It's been that way from the OG Motorola Droid to the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, LG V20, Galaxy Note 8, S10+, and now the Fold.
Once the battery starts breaking down and not holding a charge it is time to change phones. Usually happens by the 3 year mark. It used to be that sluggish performance and hardware upgrades would entice you to switch. But it has come to the point that even mid range phones have really good performance and are able to run just about any app without running into problems. It is the sealed batteries and the lack of security updates that get me to upgrade.
Prior to my recent contract, I would upgrade every two years, or when my contract expired (2 year contracts are standard with Canadian carriers). However, with my recent upgrade to the iPhone 12 Pro, it does everything and more that I could ever possibly want, so I’ll probably keep it for at least 3 years with a battery replacement somewhere down the line.
I've had a version of every Galaxy S phone from the 1st to the 8th. Except the S5. Usually I'd have to upgrade because they'd slow down or break. I still have them all. I moved from the US to London. When I go back to visit I still use my S6. My wife's S8 was stolen and I got her a Note 10 and I got a refurbished Note 10+ 5G for £400. So far I see no reason to upgrade. I'm hoping it lasts like my Gear S3 Frontier LTE. I've had that since 2016 and it still gets feature updates and going strong.
