So when do you replace a phone?

[GrizzlyBear]

I have had a bit of a problem with my (my own, not work) phone this week, The Google play services app messed up the phone (not impressed at this google), it has been a right pain in the &*%^... it really helped in my very stressful week in work. I managed to resolve it today.

But it got me thinking... I know, I was surprised too... I normally only change my phone when I can see significant benefit, my current phone I have had 4 or 5 years (Samsung Galaxy S3) I just haven't seen the value in getting a newer one, I am normally quite careful with my things, so it still looks like a new phone! This week was the first problem.

So how long do you keep your phones? and why do you change? New contract maybe.

[Saleen836]

Buy mine 2nd hand and keep them until they break (or i forget it's in my pocket and go swimming)

[soad]

When contract runs out. Two years is a long time.

[Jag_NE]

When they break (or I break it). I see no value in an iPhone 6 versus an iPhone 8 etc, personally. Sometimes take hand me down handsets off the wife. I have a work issued iPhone also and see the things as much a burden as a luxury item now.

[Hoofy]

When it stops working or looks like it's about to. Had the S3 for maybe 3 years now, bought it used, too.

Edited by Hoofy on Sunday 24th December 01:44

[iwantagta]

I used to get excited by new smart phones.
Massive leaps forward in screen size, quality & functionality.

Now it just seems incremental and full of things that simply dont appeal; augmented reality, emoji face copying etc.

The camera on my iphone 6 is fine. I like my wired headphones. The only frustration is Apple are now making it slower and slower with each update. (which i can't ignore unless someone can tell me how to get rid of that red 1 on the settings screen!)

If I broke this one I would probably buy another.

[Ted2]

GrizzlyBear said:

I have had a bit of a problem with my (my own, not work) phone this week, The Google play services app messed up the phone (not impressed at this google), it has been a right pain in the &*%^... it really helped in my very stressful week in work. I managed to resolve it today.

But it got me thinking... I know, I was surprised too... I normally only change my phone when I can see significant benefit, my current phone I have had 4 or 5 years (Samsung Galaxy S3) I just haven't seen the value in getting a newer one, I am normally quite careful with my things, so it still looks like a new phone! This week was the first problem.

So how long do you keep your phones? and why do you change? New contract maybe.

How did you manage to resolve it? I'm like you and rather coincidentally am also still using my trusty S3 but am having the same problem. I just recently gave it a new lease of life by treating it to a brand new battery too so don't want to get rid of it.

[gr1340]

When I’m bored.

Got an S7 edge (coming from an iPhone 6 Plus) last year when they came out. 3 months later I went back to Apple and an iPhone 6s Plus. When the S8 Plus came out I got one and within a month I got an iPhone 7 Plus which I use now.
I always buy unlocked in full so no contracts and sell when they are still the current model usually so I don’t lose out a huge amount each time, maybe £100 to £150 which I am happy enough with.
I have gone back and forth between android and Apple for about 5 years so when all the arguements start about which I best, I consider myself in a strong position to get involved.
The answer is neither, I like both although Apple just works and does everything I need it to and android requires a few tweaks and has more scope to do extra things.
I also haven’t found an android watch that works as well as Apple and I’ve tried Samsung, LG, Sony and huawei, about 6 or 7 in total.
Anyway, that wasn’t the question so sorry to go on.

[ecsrobin]

iwantagta said:

I used to get excited by new smart phones.
Massive leaps forward in screen size, quality & functionality.

Now it just seems incremental and full of things that simply dont appeal; augmented reality, emoji face copying etc.

The camera on my iphone 6 is fine. I like my wired headphones. The only frustration is Apple are now making it slower and slower with each update. (which i can't ignore unless someone can tell me how to get rid of that red 1 on the settings screen!)

If I broke this one I would probably buy another.

Check the iOS 11 thread. It’s your battery slowing things down (due to Apple designing it to extend battery life) replace your battery and it will feel like new again.

[Yipper]

People change their phones every 2-3 years in the UK on average.

The difference between an S3 and today's latest S8 is like night and day, like black and white vs. colour TV.

[Ted2]

Yipper said:

People change their phones every 2-3 years in the UK on average.

The difference between an S3 and today's latest S8 is like night and day, like black and white vs. colour TV.

How so? Work pal has an S8 and other than it being shinier than my S3 it does phone, text, maps, app and internet duties the same as mine.

[bloomen]

only when there's a tech leap I badly want. the last was the ability to take raw photos.

I really wonder whether there'll ever be another one that grabs me at least as a must have.

[Boosted LS1]

My old nokia has free sat nav that I rarely use coz I'm not thick. It always has a strong signal, makes calls and texts. Why would I change it?

[Yipper]

Ted2 said:

Yipper said:

People change their phones every 2-3 years in the UK on average.

The difference between an S3 and today's latest S8 is like night and day, like black and white vs. colour TV.

How so? Work pal has an S8 and other than it being shinier than my S3 it does phone, text, maps, app and internet duties the same as mine.

AI, AR, VR, virtual assistant, better camera, better music, bigger screen, better screen, it's in a whole different league.

[GrizzlyBear]

Ted2 said:

GrizzlyBear said:

I have had a bit of a problem with my (my own, not work) phone this week, The Google play services app messed up the phone (not impressed at this google), it has been a right pain in the &*%^... it really helped in my very stressful week in work. I managed to resolve it today.

But it got me thinking... I know, I was surprised too... I normally only change my phone when I can see significant benefit, my current phone I have had 4 or 5 years (Samsung Galaxy S3) I just haven't seen the value in getting a newer one, I am normally quite careful with my things, so it still looks like a new phone! This week was the first problem.

So how long do you keep your phones? and why do you change? New contract maybe.

How did you manage to resolve it? I'm like you and rather coincidentally am also still using my trusty S3 but am having the same problem. I just recently gave it a new lease of life by treating it to a brand new battery too so don't want to get rid of it.

Happy to help, but I would add that I was guessing when I did this so don't blame me is this goes wrong, but so far my phone is back to normal: I went into the Application manager, Force stopped "Google play services" app, cleared the app memory. Turned it the phone off, left it off for 10 mins. When I switched it back on. my emails updated and everything was back to normal. [GrizzlyBear did not really know what he was doing here, but was on the verge of just buying a new phone. so though what the hell... others might damage their phone as, to repeat, GrizzlyBear really did not have the foggiest clue what he was doing, but it worked for this Samsung galaxy S3 9300]

If the above doesn't make sense I will go through screen by screen if it helps.

I bought a second hand charger a few months ago, and they included a used battery, it makes things a little easier as it means I only have to charge batteries every now and then (I think phones should have removable batteries).

Ted2 said:

Yipper said:

People change their phones every 2-3 years in the UK on average.

The difference between an S3 and today's latest S8 is like night and day, like black and white vs. colour TV.

How so? Work pal has an S8 and other than it being shinier than my S3 it does phone, text, maps, app and internet duties the same as mine.

Although I didn't make it a part of my original post, I suspect that many people do as I do; use a phone for occasional calls and texts, the torch and camera are handy for work and a satnav is a helpful backup, I rarely use the internet other than on wifi. Several generations of phone can pass without adding significant value. My usage can allow a battery to last a week which is cloud cuckoo land for most smart phone users. I have made the occasional post to the forum as keep thinking I should get a new phone with a better camera, but really it is the "bear" component of my soul wanting something shinny-shinny.

However, I suspect that many use their phone far more intensively and as such a change of model may add significant perceived value.

I am sure there are many do replace a phone to get something shinny & new (I am guessing many of the people in the long line at 7am outside an apple phone shop for the new release may or may not be included in this category - I am sure the same is true of the newest Samsung), and may even see it like a fashion item. I am not saying this is wrong or anything, just different perspectives.

I was just interested in peoples thought process'.

Edited by GrizzlyBear on Sunday 24th December 00:24

Edited by GrizzlyBear on Sunday 24th December 00:28

[Benni]

When a camera with more than 10x optical zoom is built-in, more than 20 mp, and xenon flash.

As no manufacturer does this, I will stick to my Galaxy K Zoom even if it´s outdated,

doesn´t matter to me as I only use phone, SMS and a bit of internet browsing.

But I use tha camera a lot, love the settings and picture quality.

I do not mind that the K Zoom is a fat & heavy fekker, on the contrary,

I don´t like something flimsy in my hand to operate.

I am actually looking for a reasonably-priced used one with no dust on the sensor as a back-up.

[TheTrash]

iwantagta said:

The only frustration is Apple are now making it slower and slower with each update. (which i can't ignore unless someone can tell me how to get rid of that red 1 on the settings screen!)

Going into settings/storage/manage storage, you can then delete the update and it goes away.

[RTB]

I've got an S6 edge plus that I've had for 2 years and a work Samsung J5. The S6 cost me 600 quid whilst the J5 retails at about 150 quid. I get as much use out of the J5 as the S6, which is what has stopped me getting a new phone.

Reset your phone to factory setting, reinstall what you need, it will feel like a new phone.

[ecsrobin]

TheTrash said:

iwantagta said:

The only frustration is Apple are now making it slower and slower with each update. (which i can't ignore unless someone can tell me how to get rid of that red 1 on the settings screen!)

Going into settings/storage/manage storage, you can then delete the update and it goes away.

Although better to update as it fixes security flaws and if slow change battery.

[dave_s13]

RTB said:

Reset your phone to factory setting, reinstall what you need, it will feel like a new phone.

That's what I had to do recently on my Moto G4 plus as it was starting to hang and slow right down for no reason.

It's a pain in the arse but has perked it up no end.