topic Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone? in Electronics

How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

BunSnoop — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:02:23 GMT

I currently have a Motorola Tracfone that I purchased from QVC or HSN about 5 or 6 years ago. It works perfect - no problems. (I don't use my phone often. Majority of the time I only use the phone for the Maps feature, to obtain directions, and the camera. I never text and make and receive very few phone calls). I use a land line phone for the majority of phone calls).

Just curious - how often do you replace your phone? Do you wait until it starts having a problem and then look for a new one or do you keep yours typically for a certain number of years and then replace?

I'm trying to figure out whether I'm due for a new phone.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

I am still oxox — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:04:39 GMT

At least every 3-4 years

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

gadgetgal613 — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:11:54 GMT

When it becomes obsolete. Phones, like all electronics, contain toxic chemicals and rare earth minerals which can't be recycle easily or at all. I'd rather not contribute to the toxic trash.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

We rescue cats — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:15:59 GMT

Mine is an iPhone 11 pro, I think its about 5 years old. I need to charge it daily so 'Im being told, "It's time" but I'm not sure. What do you use to make that decision?

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

Kachina624 — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:28:11 GMT

@We rescue cats. When the manufacturer no longer updates and supports it.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

fingerlakesny — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:29:07 GMT

I still have a landline too. My cell phone is probably 5 or 6 years old. I only use it when I'm going somewhere in my car. I have a gps, so I don't use that feature on the phone.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

Sooner — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:30:58 GMT

I trade mine about every two years. I trade in electronics and feel that it is a better value. You get something for the old device, get a new warranty and don't worry about it being able to handle the new updates.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

cindyNC — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:57:16 GMT

I tend to keep mine for quite a while. I finally made the jump from a Tracfone Samsung phone (quite old) to an iphone 13 pro max a few years ago. I got tired of carrying both a camera and a phone when I went on vacation.

Purchased the iphone unlocked from Apple and use it with Tracfone. I'd like a newer iphone (weighing less), but some of the newer models don't work w/tracfone.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

kaydee50 — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 23:05:36 GMT

When I change carriers. I had an AT&T "go phone" for at least 5 years. Had a problem with them and switched to a Tracfone last year. Unless I have to, I would keep my phone forever--rarely use it.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

Susan Louise — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 23:13:51 GMT

Welp, we're out of the 'norm'...

We finally upgraded last summer for the 1st time in 24 years. DH and I got our 1st cell phones with Verizon when we got married in 2000.

Yes, no joke...we used the same LG basic flip phones for 24 years!

All those years we had the same basic flip phones. Sadly we HAD to upgrade because Verizon wasn't going to support what we were using anymore...ugh.

I still wish we were using our old phones. We didn't have to recharge them nearly as often and I find using the new Samsung android to still be awkward.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

SilleeMee — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 23:41:53 GMT

I'll keep my flip phone until 4G goes away and that's not about to happen anytime soon.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

haddon9 — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 23:46:21 GMT

I got a message from Verizon that I was eligible for a new free iPhone 16. I went to get it this morning and my only cost was that they transferred my data to the new phone & set it up for me & transferred my DH's data to my old phone (He rarely uses it).

I use mine all the time and replace as needed. The last time I had gotten a phone was 3-4 years ago.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

Ainhisg — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 01:55:15 GMT

I've been with Tracfone for 11 years. I get a new phone bundle from HSN or QVC every year or two. I buy the more expensive Tracfones. If the shopping channels don't come out with better TF bundles soon, I am buying an unlocked phone and going to a different prepaid service.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 03:05:37 GMT

@BunSnoop wrote:
I currently have a Motorola Tracfone that I purchased from QVC or HSN about 5 or 6 years ago. It works perfect - no problems. (I don't use my phone often. Majority of the time I only use the phone for the Maps feature, to obtain directions, and the camera. I never text and make and receive very few phone calls). I use a land line phone for the majority of phone calls).

Just curious - how often do you replace your phone? Do you wait until it starts having a problem and then look for a new one or do you keep yours typically for a certain number of years and then replace?

I'm trying to figure out whether I'm due for a new phone.

@BunSnoop

How much do you pay for Tracfone service per year?

The HSN Tracfone special today is $129 for a new Samsung AND a year of service.

If I go on the TF website, I can buy a year for $149 .... obviously, getting the Samsung phone PLUS a year of service cheaper is a better way to go.

Back when cell phones were fairly new, I had one for 12 years, and another for 6 years, but I was paying a ridiculous monthly rate with Verizon!

When John Hckynut mentioned buying yearly I realized I would be using better phones and paying less overall.

(Thanks John!)

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

Scooby Doo — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 03:39:16 GMT

I went from an iphone 6 to 12 and now I'm wanting to get the new 17. However, from what I'm reading the tarriff will make the phone too expensive. I almost bought the 16 last night but then I decided to take a chance and wait. The new one has a better chip and camera.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

In-x-s — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 03:51:13 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@BunSnoop wrote:
I currently have a Motorola Tracfone that I purchased from QVC or HSN about 5 or 6 years ago. It works perfect - no problems. (I don't use my phone often. Majority of the time I only use the phone for the Maps feature, to obtain directions, and the camera. I never text and make and receive very few phone calls). I use a land line phone for the majority of phone calls).

Just curious - how often do you replace your phone? Do you wait until it starts having a problem and then look for a new one or do you keep yours typically for a certain number of years and then replace?

I'm trying to figure out whether I'm due for a new phone.

@BunSnoop

How much do you pay for Tracfone service per year?

The HSN Tracfone special today is $129 for a new Samsung AND a year of service.

If I go on the TF website, I can buy a year for $149 .... obviously, getting the Samsung phone PLUS a year of service cheaper is a better way to go.

Back when cell phones were fairly new, I had one for 12 years, and another for 6 years, but I was paying a ridiculous monthly rate with Verizon!

When John Hckynut mentioned buying yearly I realized I would be using better phones and paying less overall.

(Thanks John!)

@Tinkrbl44on the Tracfone website you should be able to purchase "add on" minutes/texts/data, choose any one of these, and when you go to check out it will give the option to add a year of service for $49. I just did two of my phones last week.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

patbz — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:13:58 GMT

Although I love up to date technology, I don't chance my phones often. I had a flip phone for 12 years and then an unlocked Samsung until port went bad. I've had my Samsung unlocked s21 for more than three years ( love it; does everything well but its a bit smaller than our other family phones.).I buy unlocked phones refurbished by Amazon and have my local Verizon store set them up ( I tip tech $20 for doing this).

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

Icegoddess — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:16:42 GMT

I thnk I'm on my 4th phone. The first time I traded in was to get the ability to create my own wifi because I was having to spend a lot of time with my father and he didn't have wifi. Also, the hospital's wifi blocked a lot of sites, I've found the same issue at my own Dr's office which is connected to the hospital. Also, the wifi at the resort we skied at was often spotty.

I got a Motorola Droid. I really liked that phone. I kept that one until I was no longer able to access the Contacts. I tried all the fixes I could find and it seemed that the only fix was a factory reset. I figured if I was going to have to do that, I might as well get a new phone.

That was a Samsung. I would still be using that phone had I not gotten an E-mail with what I thought was a too good to be true deal on a new Samsung. It was only available online; the local store couldn't do it. The phone cost me $5/month for 36 months, no plan change required. That was in JAN of 2024.

My tendency is to use one until it stops working correctly, There are not many features that would tempt me to buy a new one.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:03:24 GMT

@BunSnoop

I am probably not the best one to answer this because I am the least tech savy person you will probably ever come across, but here's my take. I have a tracphone -- android - moto g- which I was given free to replace and old motorola flip phone I had for probably 20 years! And I loved this flp phone and woud not have replaced it but I was told that it would no longer be supported so they sent me the android moto go to replace it. And it is a nice phone. I have had it for probably 5-6 years now. I am not a phone person. I am not one of these people who hang on their phone 24-7. Nope, not me.

Next -- DH decided he wanted an Iphone. So, during covid, he got a great deal on one and once he got it, he really liked it and said -- we should get you one. I was like -- What??? No way. I wanted no parts of it. I was terrified at the thought. Anyway, he tlked me into it. We have had these Iphones for a little over 5 years - same ones -- not replaced. They still work fine (knock on wood). I don't want to replace them and won't until I have to. They are a lot of money! And truthfully, I still don't hardly use it! And I am just the basic user - internet, e-mail, occasional text - and that's it!

So, now, a person who doesn't want or use cell phones, still has 2 - the android - moto g, and the Iphone!

I know -- this is long, but this is my take on it.

A lot of people get a new cell phone every time a new version comes out. It's all in what you feel comfortable with and your budget and also how easily you can adapt to a new one.

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

Bri369 — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:44:01 GMT

A long time. LOL

That's why I love iPhones. You don't necessarily need to get a new one ever year or two. I'm able to update the software as necessary. I have enough storage. It charges without any problems. I have enough storage. I don't have a need for a new phone yet.