Do I Really Need A New Smartphone

[Goldfinger321]

Hello

I'm still using my reliable Nexus 6P as my smartphone.

Have been debating whether I should get a new one or not. After all, mine is 4 years old. I guess the main question I have is what can a new phone do that the Nexus 6P can't?

I can text, email and watch videos.

Is it worth spending money on something that may not be needed?

 

[L0n3N1nja]

That is completely subjective and up to you, but I'm sure most users here will push you to upgrade.

New device will perform better and provide a better experience, but if you don't think yours is slow it may not matter to you.

Cameras and battery life will probably be the biggest difference.

Personally if you don't know, I'd go play with some phones at the store.

 

[mustang7757]

Hello

I'm still using my reliable Nexus 6P as my smartphone.

Have been debating whether I should get a new one or not. After all, mine is 4 years old. I guess the main question I have is what can a new phone do that the Nexus 6P can't?

I can text, email and watch videos.

Is it worth spending money on something that may not be needed?

As the other poster pointed out, depends what you want , phone being 4 years old might need a battery soon ,not being updated to latest security. There are good Android phones out there that won't cost a lot , like pixel 3a, Motorola or even a good used 1 to 2 year old phone .

 

[B. Diddy]

I'd consider at least having a backup phone handy, especially since you have a Nexus 6P. That phone was notorious for battery failure and bootloops, resulting in a successful class action lawsuit. It sounds like you've been really lucky so far, but it's always a looming possibility.

 

[Mooncatt]

At the very least, it's time to start researching other phones. If this one is working well, then keep it. Just understand that even if the hardware remains in perfect condition, app updates often add extra features that require more resources (I.e. RAM and processor cycles) to run. Over time, you'll start to see things like increased lag and compatibility issues. That can get to the point of making the phone a down right pain to operate. How much you're able to tolerate is purely up to you.

True, you aren't going to receive additional security updates. That doesn't bother me much because Android is still a very secure operating system. Unless you're doing a lot of sketchy stuff of questionable legalities, then I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[gendo667]

Curious what your battery life is like? That might be reason enough.

 

[dangerousfen]

I really like the OP's attitude.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

All we ever get from tech bloggers is "this is a must upgrade because it now does this, this and this".

If you happy with your device, then why shell out your hard earned just to please someone else and put more profit into tech companies that already have billions in the bank.

Stay with it until it doesn't work for you anymore.

 

[chanchan05]

I really like the OP's attitude.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

All we ever get from tech bloggers is "this is a must upgrade because it now does this, this and this".

If you happy with your device, then why shell out your hard earned just to please someone else and put more profit into tech companies that already have billions in the bank.

Stay with it until it doesn't work for you anymore.

This.

Honestly the only reason I keep upgrading every 2 years is the monthly cost doesn't change for me to get a new flagship phone so for me it's a case of why not. If I was actually paying full price it would be another story. Although this might change next year due to the price creep.

This is true for me on the tablet side though. I'm still using a Tab 4 7.0, although I'm already starting to feel the growing sizes of apps on it.

To the OP:
You don't need to buy a new one if it ain't broke. At this point you just need to make sure that you have a complete backup as an aging device has a bigger tendency to fail. At least you won't lose something.
And at this point you don't need to worry about going to a flagship device. Mid range phones costing 200-400 are actually pretty good.

 

[Inders99]

I'll be the anti-upgrader here. I have the S7, still meets my needs, I have no desire to upgrade since the improvements have been marginal not ground breaking. Like others have said, monitor battery usage, mine is not what it once was but I can still manage by paying attention to it. Until it goes up on me I'll keep it, but make sure you're backed up at all times which will make the transition a smooth one.

 

[gbsa850]

I'm currently using a Samsung Galaxy note 4, have several batteries for it but typically getting around 17 hours with 5 SOT. It does everything I need it to do. Not a power user or gamer. If your phone still works for you no need to upgrade.

 

[anon(50597)]

I’m shocked (but impressed) with the comments here. Usually all you hear is people saying “you need this or you need that”.
The important thing, as others have said, is it works for you. Nothing wrong with researching to see if anything would bring you something you feel would be beneficial to you.
Good luck!

 

[mgbosshogg]

If you are still using the 6P, then no.

Keep it until it boot loops.

 

[Inders99]

I'm currently using a Samsung Galaxy note 4, have several batteries for it but typically getting around 17 hours with 5 SOT. It does everything I need it to do. Not a power user or gamer. If your phone still works for you no need to upgrade.

My wife has a Note 4 too and she loves it!

 

[Golfdriver97]

The only thing I wonder is the battery life? Does it last as long as it used to? I'd guess no, and that is a pretty good reason to start looking for a replacement.

 

[Mike Dee]

As long as it's working for you there is no reason to upgrade but make sure you have your important stuff backed up just in case it goes south on you without notice.

Backups are important on any phone but as they get older the chance that something may go may increase.

 

[Mooncatt]

The only thing I wonder is the battery life? Does it last as long as it used to? I'd guess no, and that is a pretty good reason to start looking for a replacement.

If you have reliable access to charging, this almost becomes a non-issue.

 

[gbsa850]

My wife has a Note 4 too and she loves it!

Yeah I love this phone, I have 2 other phones that are more current but there's just something about the note 4. Removable battery and the perfect size. Imo one of the best phones ever made.

 

[Inders99]

Yeah I love this phone, I have 2 other phones that are more current but there's just something about the note 4. Removable battery and the perfect size. Imo one of the best phones ever made.

Her phone started losing charge earlier in the day last year, so we did something most can't do these days...replaced the battery! Good to go!! I'll not understand people defending sealed phones to this day, replaceable batteries were the best thing...while they lasted.

 

[gbsa850]

I have an oem, ravpower and acevan battery. Of those 3 the acevan lasts the longest.

 

[ExpatTR]

I'm still using my Samsung Galaxy S6, and although apps have started to take a fraction of a second longer to load and the battery is on its way out, the phone itself is still good. I'm thinking about getting something else but only because I'd like more camera options and having moved to using Google for pretty much everything I'd like something more pure android, although I'm finding it difficult to persuade myself to spend so much just for these things as my S6 has a great camera and I can ignore everything not Google. There, I've convinced myself....another year it is then.