How long do you normally keep your phone?

[johnnyshinta]

I'm one of those people that gets a new phone every few months.im jot sure why but I always get bored with whatever phone I have an end up getting a new one. And they aren't always "better"... Just different. Like going from one flagship to another and in some cases stepping down from a flagship to a midrange. I just like cha going it up.

But then you have someone like my wife that has had her iPhone 6s for like 4 years and is fine with it still.

How long do people normally keep their phones and how do you not get bored with it

 

[Golfdriver97]

I started buying my phone outright a while ago. Biggest reason is it doesn't tie me to a carrier.

That being said, I keep mine for about 2 years as a daily driver.

 

[johnnyshinta]

I buy mine outright as well. I just get bored about it and want something new. The thing is that most phones at their core are the same. There are some gimmicks that are different but ultimately they just are the same phone with a different skin. But I get tired of it and end up getting something new. I've had my pixel 3a xl for about 2 and a half months and it's an awesome device. But for some reason I'm starting to get the itch.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

I used to work at Verizon, upgraded once a year and I still typically do that. I just buy the new Samsung Note most years.

When I was at Verizon I was experienced with all the different phones we had, switching between them never changed much, apps from the play store allow far more customization if I'm bored.

 

[belodion]

One of the reasons that I resist the urge to buy a new phone is that I know perfectly well that I shall tire of the new toy and begin to look around for another. I used to be the same with old cameras. If only I had this or this, I thought, I'd be satisfied. Beguiling though phones and old cameras and other such things are, they cannot possibly satisfy our needs and longings, nor are they meant to.

 

[dangerousfen]

I also purchase outright and try to change about every two years.

If I get bored I dig out an older phone from the drawer. That soon makes me realise that I'm happy with my daily driver.

 

[Morty2264]

Great thread! Thank you so much for posting!

I usually keep my phones for an average of 14-18 months. It depends on the state of my current phone; if I have a bad itch to upgrade; and whether or not I feel like I can afford to do so.

I now buy my phones outright - so I'm not tied to a permanent payment plan with my carrier and can pay off my phone my own way - and so it's way easier for me to upgrade before the two-year mark that my carrier, Rogers, has as a mandate. They still thought I was using my LG G3! (It's still in my possession - but I'm not using it.)

 

[bembol]

I love being with my carrier, not worried about contracts not as if I can't break them.

There's also an advantage, meaning savings then buying outright. Take my girl's Samsung Galaxy S10 Prism Blue. I was able to get credits and take advantage of Samsung's promotions.

At the end, instead of paying to upgrade I was able to get a free Samsung Fast Charger & USB-C and Kickstand Case.

Anyways, I upgrade whenever I get an itch too but usually in 4-6 months.

It's not all flagships, I bought a few midrange phones too. I'm actually waiting for Black Friday sale and see what the Samsung Galaxy A70 is about.

 

[mustang7757]

I love being with my carrier, not worried about contracts not as if I can't break them.

There's also an advantage, meaning savings then buying outright. Take my girl's Samsung Galaxy S10 Prism Blue. I was able to get credits and take advantage of Samsung's promotions.

At the end, instead of paying to upgrade I was able to get a free Samsung Fast Charger & USB-C and Kickstand Case.

Anyways, I upgrade whenever I get an itch too but usually in 4-6 months.

It's not all flagships, I bought a few midrange phones too. I'm actually waiting for Black Friday sale and see what the Samsung Galaxy A70 is about.

I like what the A70 brings for mid range phone

 

[Laura Knotek]

Back when there were contracts, I upgraded every two years and got new devices from my carrier.

However, my last two phones were unlocked phones purchased outright. I typically keep them until they no longer meet my needs or no longer work properly. I've had my current phone, an LG V20, for almost 2 years now, and I've used it on two different carriers (AT&T, which I left due to lack of coverage at my house all of a sudden after years of having great coverage; and currently Verizon, which I've had for 13 months now.).

 

[FeinP1118]

I regret selling my Note 8. And, off topic, I'd love to get my hands on a BlackBerry Key2. I've never even seen one in the wild.

 

[Morty2264]

I regret selling my Note 8. And, off topic, I'd love to get my hands on a BlackBerry Key2. I've never even seen one in the wild.

The Key2 is pretty awesome. Don't think I've seen one in the wild, either.

 

[Morty2264]

I change my phone every 2 years or so(these days within 1 and a half year!)……as I invest in a budget or mid range smartphone. It depends on your manner of usage (gaming,browsing, streaming, etc).

As technology is rapidly evolving, I get to have the latest tech or features without unnecessarily going all out in expenses!

Regards,
Akshay

I like the way you think!

 

[gbsa850]

I generally keep all my phones, the older ones I use as security cameras when traveling. Just recently gave 2 away to family members. Currently I have 4 phones I refuse to spend more that $250 on a phone. So no flag ships for me, I need a sturdy work horse the glass backs are just too fragile. One of my older phones, a galaxy note 4, has been dropped too many times to count. The back of it was hit with a running drill. Only damage was a cracked battery door easily replaced for a couple of dollars. One deep scratch on the screen, this phone still runs like a champ and I can replace the battery myself!! I'm not a gamer or power user, don't really care what other people think of my phone as long as it does what I need it to do I'm good.

 

[johnnyshinta]

I hardly ever take advantage of the features and performance of a flagship. The biggest reason I try to use flagships however is the camera. Mid range and budget phones usually have garbage cameras. That's why I was so enamored with the pixel 3a xl. But last week I found a sale at best buy and got a pixel 3 for $350 (including some BB rewards and a GC) and just couldn't pass it up. I'm hoping my phone lust will be under control with the pixel since I can get the latest OS and/or beta OS as soom as they come out. Part of the reason I get new phones is boredom so maybe having access to new OS features will quell the desire for a new phone

 

[Morty2264]

I hardly ever take advantage of the features and performance of a flagship. The biggest reason I try to use flagships however is the camera. Mid range and budget phones usually have garbage cameras. That's why I was so enamored with the pixel 3a xl. But last week I found a sale at best buy and got a pixel 3 for $350 (including some BB rewards and a GC) and just couldn't pass it up. I'm hoping my phone list will be under control with the pixel since I can get the latest OS and/or beta OS as soom as they come out. Part of the reason I get new phones is boredom so maybe having access to new OS features will quell the desire for a new phone

Congratulations on your brand new Pixel 3! Happy Phone Week! What colour and storage size did you get?

 

[johnnyshinta]

Black 64gb.

Congratulations on your brand new Pixel 3! Happy Phone Week! What colour and storage size did you get?

With unlimited cloud storage for photos for the next 2.5 years I felt like I didn't need anything bigger.

 

[Morty2264]

Black 64gb. With unlimited cloud storage for photos for the next 2.5 years I felt like I didn't need anything bigger.

Smart move! And Black is a classic look!

 

[wonderfulworld]

Usually 2 years. Then there will be a phone more power for and cheaper. And old phone's battery is lower.

 

[johnnyshinta]

The funny thing is I don't really use any phone to its full potential. I don't do any mobile gaming and j don't use my phone as a work device. I just watch Hulu and some YouTube. And I browse using chrome and apps like AC forums or Twitter. Otherwise it's a straight up communication device. So I could get away with keeping a phone for as long as it's supported. I just get tempted by the gimmicks and features of the newest devices....damn marketing gets me every time