When should I upgrade my phone?

 

Deciding whether to upgrade your mobile phone can turn into a grueling task but it doesn’t have to be. The telltale signs aren’t always clear and can end up costing you more money if you didn’t actually need to upgrade in the first place. 

Poor battery life

Based on normal usage your smartphone battery should last the whole day. If you find your phone’s battery is dying faster then this is an indication that your battery can’t cope. Older models are more likely to have battery issues compared to newer models. For example, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is one of the best in the iPhone range when it comes to battery life. There are ways in which you can prolong your battery life before you decide to upgrade:

  • Don’t leave screen brightness on too high
  • Close down background apps and monitor them 
  • Don’t charge your battery for too long, overnight or leave it on charge when it is 100%
  • Turn off location settings
  • Low power mode
  • Turn off push notifications 

Phone Storage 

Nowadays we use our smartphones for so much more than phone calls and text messaging - we fill them with apps, music, images, games, files etc. We’re taking more pictures and videos which clog up your phone storage, and if you’re not willing to delete certain content then a larger phone storage capacity is best for you. If you choose to upgrade to meet your storage needs, you are best choosing a smartphone with 64GB or more.

Phone update

System updates are a necessity for your phone -without them, your device is more susceptible to bugs and hacking. They fix problems and help you get the best user experience out of your smartphone. Older updates make your device more vulnerable so upgrading ensures that your mobile phone is at the best of its ability and gives you regular access to the latest updates.

Certain apps don’t work 

Certain operating systems affect how apps work; for example, iOS 7 (iPhone) or 2.3.7 Gingerbread (Android) doesn’t work well with Whatsapp. Accounts cannot be created and you are unable to verify your existing one. If you rely heavily on communication apps such as Whatsapp that don’t work on your current device then it’s best to upgrade so these types of apps run efficiently. 

Damaged phone screen

Overtime, mobile phones inevitably get damaged and devices with broken, scratched or scuffed screens will not get better overtime. They are more susceptible to dust, finger oils and dirt getting inside the cracks of the screen which can create more problems. There is the option to get a new screen. However, it can cost more to get the screen fixed than the phone is actually worth. 

Upgrading is the best option in this case. To make sure that you are not majorly out of pocket, save money and buy a refurbished phone. 

Brand new phone vs refurbished

Are you guilty of always upgrading to the newest phone? Purchasing a brand new smartphone isn’t always the best option to suit what you actually need it for.

Buying a new phone uses as much energy as recharging and operating a smartphone for ten years. To make matters worse, the newer models are not always the most efficient and sustainable - the iPhone 6s created 57% more CO2 than the iPhone 4s.

Switch to a refurbished phone and trade in your old phone - recycling one phone saves enough energy to power a laptop for 44 hours. Make a difference and buy yourself a refurbished phone, save money and reduce the harmful impact on the environment caused by brand new phones.