What's the point of buying new phones every years?

Other than your carrier give it for free or cheap, I don’t really see the reason why should you buy new phone. I’ve been using Redmi Note 9 for past 3 years and recently got my had on Poco F5. I don’t see the point of my ‘upgrade’. I sold it and come back to my Note 9. Gaming? Most of them are p2w or microtransaction garbage or just gimped version of its PC/Console counterpart. I mean, $400 still get you PS4, TV and Switch if you don’t mind buying used. At least here where I live. Storage? Dude, newer phone wont even let you have SD Card. Features? Well, all I see is newer phones take more features than it adds. Headphone jack, more ads, and repairability are to name a few. Battery? Just replace them. However, my Note 9 still get through day with one 80% charge in the dawn. Which takes 1 hour.

I am genuinely curious why newer phone always selling like hot cakes. Since there’s virtually no difference between 4gb of RAM and 12gb of RAM, or 12mp camera and 100mp camera on phone.

TanknSpank,

I only upgrade every 3-4 years, but there's a lot of subtle differences that make it worth it. For example my current phone is far more reliable with Bluetooth connections than the previous one. It's got a better camera with AI photo touching. It's waterproof. Its fingering sensor is more sensitive and quicker.

unplug,

I’ve been getting a new phone every 4 years, but it isn’t hard to answer your question tbh. New products feel amazing. Companies invest millions if not billions of dollars in marketing to make you crave the newest device, even if yours is quite decent. I think that’s also the reason Apple pays so much attention to the packaging and their setup wizards so that getting a new product is an almost magical experience you want to relive. Ask any person with a shopping addiction, they’ll explain to you the rush of a new product like no one else.

Rolder,

I try to milk my phones as long as possible. But that’s mostly because I’m lazy and moving all the 2FA and getting things set up how I like and whatnot is a ball ache.

SecretPancake,

I used to get a new one every two years. Back then the changes were big enough to make it worthwhile. Nowadays there is not much to get from a new phone other than the hardware keeping up with the software and an improved camera.

I’d say, as with any device, keep it until it annoys you or doesn’t get any more security updates.

My iPhone 11 from 2019 starts to feel laggy and the touch screen is not responding as well anymore. Battery health is still over 90% but due to higher energy demand of the newer OSs and apps I often still need to juice up during the day. So this year I’m finally going to get the new model but I’ll keep the 11 as a webcam.

just_another_person,

To keep our corporate overlords in their elegant fineries. DUH-HOY

amir_s89,
@amir_s89@lemmy.ml avatar

Each year new products & models are launching, so that those in need of it can aquire them. These companies are delivering OS updates for these smartphones so they last longer as realistically possible.

If when yours is broken or far too old, then you should consider aquiring this year’s model. So that you can use something that is compatible with studies, work, activities etc.

Obviously each individual/ family/ organization does their own analysis regarding if there is a need or desire to aquire said products. Also what for.

Geth,

I changed from a OnePlus 6t to a Samsung S23+ after about 4 years of using the old one and at least for me the difference is huge. Both are flagships in their own time. The oneplus was starting to feel a bit laggy here and there, but I never expected the S23+ to be all around so snappy in comparison. Camera quality is leagues ahead. The battery life is way better. The fingerprint sensor was never good on the oneplus, but it’s amazing on the Samsung. There are many other features I like or find useful like the wireless charging or the water resistance. The new phone is an all around better package for me and a surprisingly decent upgrade.

You definitely don’t need to upgrade every 2 years and it probably matters what you expect out of a phone and how patient you are with the issues, but I think new phones do still offer compelling reasons to upgrade, just not as often as in the past.

BurnedDonutHole,

I don’t. I usually buy something good (hardware wise) and use it until it dies. Repeat the process.

nei7jc,
@nei7jc@lemmy.world avatar

You do it to give Samsung or Motorola or Google or apple or Amazon your money every year, obviously

TimeMuncher2,

There's a lot of reasons. Single people can spend a lot on tech without thinking. People have lot of money. People don't like their current phone. I say let them spend and keep the companies in business. If all of us stopped buying phones every year and only bought once in 4-5 years, the companies producing phones will have to shut down sooner or later and we'd have just one or two left. I only upgraded recently after 6 years because the phone OS was too old and the cpu was like snail.

j41UkP0ykQhE,

Lack of memory card slot is a big deal for me. I get the cloud usage and all, but what about having a local copy? Space fills up really fast with a few videos and photos. I don't want to have to manage my storage painfully every month or so.

Also I prefer compact phones which are basically non-existent these days.

FredOnline,
@FredOnline@kbin.social avatar

As mentioned by others, security updates and the camera. If the right 'phone comes along at the right price, then is when I'll consider doing the upgrade. Upgrading when the latest greatest 'phone is released is something I would never consider.

ProdigyXL,

I had my iPhone X for 3 years and would have kept my 12 Pro for 3 years, but the 14 Pros came in purple and I decided to go for it. I fully intend on keeping my 14 Pro for at least 3 years. Maybe even go 4 this time around and just get the battery replaced at the end of year 2. I don’t game on my phone at all, I have lots of other devices for that, so I don’t need the latest and greatest every year.

GoOnASteamTrain,

I totally agree :) I’m S10 until the thing melts, I managed to replace the battery under warranty and plan to rock it as long as humanly possible.

Headphone jack is a huge factor in that as I would not want to lose something I use every day, but also like you say, performance is fine! On top of that is the fact that I’m paying £8 a month for unlimited everything without a contract! :)

I guess there used to be a night and day change, and people kind of still expect that from the next flagship each time they’re offered an upgrade?

That said, these days the trends tend to steer into things I don’t use much, or improving what’s already good enough - its a good time to be on a budget I guess! :)

Hjulkula,

I’m asking myself the same thing. I grabbed myself the the cheapest phone available at my local electronics store after I dropped my old one in the river 2-3 years ago. I think I payed around 160€ or something and I see no reason to get something new

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