Im eligible for upgrade but....

[Android Central Question]

My Samsung note 9 is starting to gave the back separate on the right side. Att told me it was because my internal battery was making it bulge. I gave insurance I pay monthly but there is a $224 deductible. Now I'm not sure if I should pay the deductible and get another note 9 or if after doing so will my phone become obsolete in a few months and need to upgrade another time.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! I'd say it's probably time to upgrade the phone. I believe the highest Android version that phone got was Android 10, right? Android 12 is right around the corner, so the phone is quickly becoming outdated.

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[gray2018]

I would also upgrade. The Note 9 was a great phone in it's day, but sadly, it is past it's time. You can get some pretty decent deals on new/used Note 10 + or Note 20 Ultra devices.

 

[Mooncatt]

I would double check your insurance policy. We just found out my wife's Note 9 can get a no charge battery replacement through Verizon's policy. Your policy may have something similar.

As for the suggestion to upgrade, that's not so cut and dry in my opinion. Prices on new phones are stupid expensive, hard to find, and may loose wanted features. Used phones are also going way up in price thanks to the shortages. My wife's phone also has a cracked screen and we considered just getting something new. The only phone that even came close to being something she would accept (accept, not actually wanting) that is also remotely available in reasonable time was the 512 GB Fold z3. That's a $1,900 phone, no Spen unless you buy it separate, and no SD card slot (otherwise a lower storage version would be a better and cheaper option). We have pretty much decided to go through insurance to get the screen and battery replaced on hers.

It's not a bad idea to consider replacing the phone, but I wouldn't do it JUST because of a bad battery. The Note 9 is still a capable device. Sure it's not being updated anymore, but I don't think you're missing anything earth shattering by not getting Android 12. Going back as far as Android 7 Nougat, I can't think of anything massively different and probably wouldn't notice a difference in day to day use if I compared my current phone to my last one that had Nougat. I personally think there is too much emphasis on it being a near necessity to be on the absolute latest version of Android. Plus, getting a new phone only because of a bad battery is rather wasteful. E-waste is becoming more of a concern these days with the "throw away" mentality.

Kinda makes one long for the days where manufacturers were sensible and didn't seal up their phones so users could replace their own batteries and get more life out of them.

 

[Climb14er]

I'm currently following the initial beta of the Pixel 6 Pro, while continuing to run the Note 9, which btw... has been A-OK plus, and would keep the Note 9 in reserve, if I jump to the Pixel. I could keep the Note 9 running into next year if needed, and could always get a new OEM battery from ubreakitifixit if necessary. The Note 9 is still receiving Security Updates, albeit, looks like quarterly, so if needing a newer phone, the Note 9 wouldn't be my first choice. I'll say it again, the Note 9 has been an incredible phone in every aspect of usage.