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Honored Contributor
Posts: 41,005
Registered: ‎05-22-2016

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

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

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,737
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

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.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,725
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

[ Edited ]

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 47,135
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?


@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!) Woman LOL

 

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,082
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

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.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 937
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?


@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!) Woman LOL

 

 


@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. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,271
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

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).

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,888
Registered: ‎03-19-2010

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

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. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,428
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

@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.

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin
Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,955
Registered: ‎11-03-2018

Re: How Often Do You Replace Your Cell Phone?

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.