We’ve all been there. Just as you’ve gotten used to your phone, it starts feeling sluggish and outdated. With so many new models coming out every year, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. But how often should you really be replacing your phone? And what factors should you consider when making that decision?
A major determinant of your phone’s lifespan is its battery. Over time, the chemical reaction that occurs when your phone’s battery drains isn’t perfectly reversible, which results in a loss of capacity. While there are ways to prolong your battery’s lifespan, such as keeping it away from heat and avoiding charging it to 100%, buying a phone with a high capacity battery may be the best option for most users.
Another important component to consider is your phone’s processor. Like the CPU in your desktop PC, a higher-end phone processor will give you a snappier experience. However, many consumers may not be familiar with their phone CPUs, which can lead them to buy phones with underpowered processors. While lower to mid-range CPUs might be fine for a while, developers are coding apps that demand ever more resources from your phone, meaning that the phone that gets you by today might start feeling really sluggish in a couple of years.
Of course, we’re not saying you should go out and spend over a thousand dollars on the most overpowered phone you can find. But it’s worth spending a little more money on a phone with a battery capacity over 3,500 milliamp hours and a CPU that has a good reputation for being able to juggle multiple tasks without making the phone feel sluggish. Phones like this should be able to last at least three years and potentially longer before you’d really need to start thinking about an upgrade.
While it’s tempting to always want the latest and greatest phone, taking into account factors like battery life and processor power can help you make a more informed decision about when to upgrade. And, as always, be sure to read reviews and do your research before making a purchase to ensure you’re getting the most for your money.
Thanks for reading!