I'm somewhat over this addiction. I don't need to have the latest...

[davidnc]

I feel the same way about upgrading every year,pretty much done with it. Just not enough bang for the buck to me , since phones have got so pricey. So I will use that money on other projects. That's my short answer.

 

[Morty2264]

The upcoming Astro Slide which is currently undergoing crowdfunding looks to be a decent hybrid between smartphone and mini laptop.

It's from Planet Computers, the guys behind the Planet Gemini and Cosmo Communicator.

That's awesome! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Elky64]

I feel the same way about upgrading every year,pretty much done with it. Just not enough bang for the buck to me , since phones have got so pricey. So I will use that money on other projects. That's my short answer.

For me price is only part of the equation. Support is still running amuck no matter the cost(s), and a device's average life expectancy hasn't changed even if spending $$$$.

 

[BlackBerry Guy]

With the cost of phones these days and the relatively iterative changes, I'm kinda done doing the yearly upgrade as well. As long as the software stays up to date, I'm good on a 2 year cycle.

 

[Elky64]

As long as the software stays up to date, I'm good on a 2 year cycle.

And there lies the problem imo. Security patches and next letter upgrades are still too much of a hit-n-miss affair with many droids, inconsistency and uncertainty abounds even in 2020. This can be exacerbated whether a device is locked/unlocked, region one's in, or carrier. One of the reasons I'm now opting into less expensive devices, if they are shortchanged on the support front then my butt seems to hurts less LOL.

 

[Morty2264]

With the cost of phones these days and the relatively iterative changes, I'm kinda done doing the yearly upgrade as well. As long as the software stays up to date, I'm good on a 2 year cycle.

I definitely agree with you. And awesome username, by the way! I really miss my BlackBerry phones at times.

 

[ptkelly]

I'll admit my driving force is the cameras. I'm mostly deaf so it sure isn't the phone service. I use text messaging quite a bit and I use a number of Android apps that are also on my Chromebook but it's the camera that seduces me.

I'm having enough fun with the Huawei P30 pro that it will take something significant to change. Comparing the P40 with P30 doesn't show a big change especially in the face of losing Google apps. I'm waiting to see what comes out in 2020. My priorities are software emphasis on manual use, standard and wide-angle lens. A modest telephoto is nice. And, I won't consider Apple.

So, if something exciting comes along, maybe, but if it doesn't I'll happily be taking photos.

 

[cgk]

I buy mid-range monsters (UK based) part-way into their lifecycle so dirt cheap - however given we are at the start of a global depression, I'll likely switch from a two to three year replacement cycle.

 

[macawmatt]

Back in the beginning of my Android phone use you almost needed to upgrade every year, and the two years it took for the contracts through the carriers felt like torture. Phone tech was evolving so quickly that if you cared a little about the phone you were using you had to upgrade at least every two years like I and a lot of people did. And that is not even getting into the old pricing structure of plans and discounted phones.

I liked every phone at the time I used it, my Droid X, the OG Moto X, but they were quickly eclipsed by newer phones. The last phone that I have owned that falls into that group I would say would be the Note 7. Beyond what happened to it, the Note8 was a big change, at least physically. I did upgrade early from the Note8 to the Note9, but that was more because of what is not on phones anymore. But the big thing here, I don't feel that I gained a lot between the 8 and the 9, and I especially don't think I lost a lot not going with the 10 or the 20 later this year, other then keeping a whole lot of money in my pocket.

My plan going forward, wait at least a minimum of 6 months, and up to a year to buy a phone after its released. Only thing you will miss out on is Android updates, but honestly, those are not as exciting as they used to be either. The other perk about waiting and saving money, getting a Note9 for $400 new.

 

[msm0511]

I'm still constantly checking out what's new, but trying to temper actual buying. I used to buy a top of the line Android, and the newest iPhone every year. I decided to try and only buy one phone a year alternating between iPhone and Android. Last year I bought a Note 10+, but stuck with my XS Max for my iPhone instead of buying the 11 series. This year is supposed to be an iPhone year, skipping Android. We'll see how all that works out. I'm honestly not all that interested in the 12 series iPhone, and my Note 10+, HTC U12+ and XS Max are all in perfect working order so I may just try skipping 2020 altogether. I know once the Note 20 is out though I'll be tempted. I'm already looking at the Xperia 1 II also.

 

[hgoldner#CB]

Generally, I replace handsets every 18 months. I almost never purchase a brand new handset, instead buying high qualify used units and reselling them about 18 months later. Once in the last 10 years I had a very robust handset with features that newer flagships weren't offering (it was the HTC Rezound which had both removable storage and a removable battery), and I stuck with that for nearly 3 years, but once removable memory returned (the M7 did not have it; the M8 did), I moved on.

 

[anon(10181084)]

I only upgrade as needed and as I can afford. I get attached to my devices big time, and like keeping my stuff as long as possible.

 

[jemjr]

How often .... On getting a new phone...??... In my case .. it's been 5 years (and counting).... Believe it or not... I'm still rocking the wild and crazy hybrid of a phone...the LG V10...the stainless steel framed .... Durability wonder-phone...(rubberized removable back/spare battery changing marvel)....the "back-in-the-day"...4gb/64gb...came with a free 200gb micro SD card...dual screened monster of a phone. Yes...the legendary LG V10 .. the very first of LG's V series of specialized flagship phones. Since this phone...(the V 10)..LG hasn't made another phone like it...nor has anyone. Since it's inception...the V 10 has had it's share of bad press .. a battery drainer....an inferior, weak, slow and behind the times chipset on its initial launch...but despite those downfalls... this phone is still "a miracle to every finger-touch"....to it's gorilla glass 4 screen. The built-in hi-fi dac audio capability is beyond incredible ... It's picture taking is astonishing... shooting video is beyond sharp... multiple features to edit, etc.... The small 2nd screen up top gives the user serious "incognito"/spy/007 type functionality!!... The standard fold open case for it takes "keeping things secret" to another level... For the last 5 years.... I've seen, reviewed, tested a gazillion phones... know about all of them from gaming phones...to hybrids....to... every phone released since 2004.... thru right now....and since the V10's release.... I haven't jumped on keeping any of the 100+ phones I've tried until now..... with the coming of the one us 8pro 12gb option. This one... I'll keep after it's release thru T-Mobile by the end of this month. Sure other phones have this and that....but after having this V10..... no "billion dollar" phone has been worth spending high dollars. So... I'm placing my bets on 1+ 8pro 12 gb/256gb. So... I'm a 5 year phone "hold out"..... That's my story "and I'm sticking to it".......!!!!

 

[bembol]

Wow, I too find it incredible that you bought a Mac with your iPhone! Holy mackerel! But I agree with what you are saying. Very often, new releases don't entice us and we end up not wanting the latest and greatest.

I'm very happy with my S10 and nothing coming out now seems to be grabbing my attention or making me think about upgrading. I guess sometimes we get to that point where we would rather save money; wait until something truly exciting grabs us; or we just enjoy our current phones and not need anything more.

And yes, typing on a computer is definitely easier! Actually, a computer needs to be my next purchase. I've needed a new computer for years but phones have always taken precedence!

I put the Pro Max up, thinking I wouldn't sell it at my asking price.

I was very happy with my S10+, clearly the Note 10+ didn't offer anything except for the S-Pen and I knew I was going to upgrade regardless. LOL Thinking back, how many times I've said this.

Selling my Note 10+ is the biggest lost I've taken, I only got $825 CAN I figured I could get $1,000 or $950 but I guess the iPhone made up for some of the lost. This lost made me realized even more it's not worth it.

I went from 64GB iPhone 11 Pro Max to 64GB XR. It took me awhile to get used to especially with the Display but going Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ to Huawei P30 Pro, I think I'm even more excited because of the IR Blaster. LOL

 

[Morty2264]

I put the Pro Max up, thinking I wouldn't sell it at my asking price.

I was very happy with my S10+, clearly the Note 10+ didn't offer anything except for the S-Pen and I knew I was going to upgrade regardless. LOL Thinking back, how many times I've said this.

Selling my Note 10+ is the biggest lost I've taken, I only got $825 CAN I figured I could get $1,000 or $950 but I guess the iPhone made up for some of the lost. This lost made me realized even more it's not worth it.

I went from 64GB iPhone 11 Pro Max to 64GB XR. It took me awhile to get used to especially with the Display but going Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ to Huawei P30 Pro, I think I'm even more excited because of the IR Blaster. LOL

I'm sorry you didn't get more for your Note 10+, but that's still quite a bit of cash! I'm glad you are liking the experience thus far!

Ah yes, that IR Blaster is definitely a fan favourite! My husband loves them too!

 

[hblaze]

I still buy 1-2 new phones p/yr. Currently have the Pixel 4 & Galaxy S20 Ultra. Will probably buy the Surface Duo later this year as well.

 

[ptkelly]

I'm curious. Those of you who buy multiple phones in a year, do you carry them in holsters on a tactical belt or do you have a tactical vest with pockets for the phones? Does each phone have a SIM or do you swap the SIM card in and out of the different phones?

Me? I have enough trouble keeping track of one phone.

 

[bembol]

I have two lines. Business and Personal, as well as a Data only plan that I eventually got for free.

Depends on the weather, if I need a jacket I can carry all three but otherwise just the two.

 

[Elky64]

I'm curious. Those of you who buy multiple phones in a year, do you carry them in holsters on a tactical belt or do you have a tactical vest with pockets for the phones? Does each phone have a SIM or do you swap the SIM card in and out of the different phones?

Me? I have enough trouble keeping track of one phone.

I have two lines active (personal but used for work too) mostly relying on holsters when dual-carrying. Always have at least five phones at the ready requiring just a SIM swap to use any one of them. Bring my camera bag to work/on trips so they are easily accessible most times.

For last couple of years have been hanging onto my devices longer and when we do buy another, it's definitely on the cheap. Been having waaay more fun doing than than putting all my $$$ into one basket.

 

[Elky64]

I still buy 1-2 new phones p/yr. Currently have the Pixel 4 & Galaxy S20 Ultra. Will probably buy the Surface Duo later this year as well.

It'll be interesting to see what comes of the Surface Duo but will not buy. Microsoft burnt too many bridges for me to even consider (lost all trust), and guaranteed pricing will exceed what I am now willing to pay. So yeah hope they do bring-it but will be sitting on the sidelines watching.