How long do you plan keep your smartphone.

[Pawnless Endgame]

I had my 1st phone (Nokia 5150) for 4 years as it was on PAYG. Then in 2004, I went onto 1-year handset contracts, which became 1.5 years in 2007 then 2 years in 2011. In 2019, I sacked off the handset contracts as they were becoming too expensive and went sim-only.

I now have a Samsung S20U which is over 2.5 years old and is the longest I've had a phone since that Nokia 5150. My sim-only contract is £10/month which is unlimited calls/text and 25GB data with PlusNet.

My next phone will either be the S23U or S24U which means I will have had the S20U for either 3 or 4 years.

 

[IvanDobskey]

About three years on average. Currently have a pixel 6pro which I'll probably keep until the updates stop.

 

[lmfy2k]

Until it dies or no longer runs the applications I need it to run.

Currently using an iPhone 7 that I’ve had since September 2018.

Battery swap is very easy too. For when the time comes

 

[Quartz]

Until it dies or no longer runs the applications I need it to run.

This. Smartphones seem to have a built-in lifespan of about 3-4 years, thanks mainly to the battery

 

[SexyGreyFox]

About 3 weeks ago I finally got a phone that I had always dreamed of.
It was over a £1000 earlier this year but I picked up a Samsung S21 Ultra 256gb for £500 and this will stay with me until it dies or I die.

 

[andy_mk3]

Had my previous phone, Note 10+ for a bit over 3 years. Hoping to keep my iPhone 14 Pro for 4 or 5 years, even if that means a battery replacement eventually.

 

[TheVoice]

Not sure, my OnePlus 7T Pro will be three years old come May and I'd have happily kept it for far longer, but the recent Android 12 update is severely lacking in polish and has all sorts of frustrating issues, so I may look into getting rid sooner rather than later unless they patch it up.

 

[tamzzy]

Used to be every 3 years due to the small batteries on the nexus 4/5 and Moto z.

Since I got my S10 lite 2.5 years ago I've been using a battery saver app to monitor my charging.
Still getting a day's use on 40-50% battery usage so I can see me keeping my S10 lite for 6-7 years at this rate unless I break it somehow. Nothing screams out at the need to upgrade.

 

[gtl_racer]

Still using my Mi 9T PRO, and still loving it.. I have custom firmware on it(Evolution X) so its up to date.. I even got replacement battery for it but the original one still lasts whole day of heavy use..

 

[Manbatius]

Wife is until the phone is broken by the kids or dies
I got a Samsung a52s 5g on contract cheap to stop me changing phone. (It was less than £20)

Before this 6 monthly...
Xiaomi mi9t
Huawei p40 lite
Xiaomi mi 10t lite 5g
iPhone X's max 256gb
Samsung a52s 5g

Not in the main list / mess with phones
Xgody 7.1"
Random ulephone

Funny thing is I found the Huawei the best. But the no Google play made it a pain even with all the work arounds.
I hate my current phone the most but the iPhone was the most dissapointing.
Using all my powers not to just replace the Samsung hah.

Tldr 6 month average for me now contract.

 

[robj20]

Until it breaks.

HTC Desire
Samsung Galaxy S3
Nexus 6P
OnePlus 7 Pro

 

[Mekrel]

Used to change every year but I think as technology has matured, there's less reason each generation to upgrade. I have the Z Fold 2 right now and that's two years old but the Fold 3 and 4 are no where near different enough to consider upgrading.

Samsung really needs to make improvements in their foldable line. Other manufacturers have better screen ratios, a less visible crease and fold flatter when closed. Considering they pioneered the foldable, they've fallen behind in my opinion.

 

[kona786]

Yup. OPPO's N2 looks like the best implementation thus far

 

[biron_w]

I'll be keeping my Pixel 6 Pro for a while yet. I might get a Pixel 8. I used to swap phones every year but I've no desire to get a new phone at the moment.

 

[alchal]

3 years so far, basically until it breaks, new phones don't offer anything really new anymore

 

[Mekrel]

Yup. OPPO's N2 looks like the best implementation thus far

I wonder why they don't release these in Europe, I read the flip variant is coming to European shores but the Fold isn't.

Edit - There's also a supposed Pixel Fold.

 

[m4rmite]

I've had my s20+ for 3 years, planned on a few more.
Smashed the screen in a bizarre incident so bought a Samsung A52S for the sameish money as a new screen.

 

[rare]

iPhone 13 Pro, phone is amazing to be honest. Can’t see any reason to upgrade anytime soon. Will probably keep it a few years until an upgrade is actually an upgrade.

The idea of spending 50+ quid a month on a phone now just to have the latest number makes me a bit sick now…

 

[Moley]

I have an iphone 8 plus. I resisted upgrading mostly because I like the fingerprint reading home button on it and I'm not too keen on the facial recognition of later phones. Battery is starting to fail now though so I'll be upgrading to a 14 soon. I buy the phones outright from Apple and stick with my £20 a month tariff.

Update: I bought a case with a built in battery for my phone, it recharges the phone three times before needing a recharge itself. I'll be holding off on replacing my phone for a couple more years I think.

 

[Calpol]

I remember forking out £30/month for a 3GS a few years ago. That was the last Apple product I had (excluding work provided phones). I baulk at such a monthly expense now so I buy a mid ranger and stick my GiffGaff sim in. I've been averaging three years for a while. Samsung S3, LG G6 and currently on a Pixel 3aXL. It's now not getting OS updates but although its a little slow, it's still totally fine. I'll probably trade it in against another pixel next year.