Buy or wait? Your guide to smartphone upgrades

Buy or wait? Your guide to smartphone upgrades

It’s that time of year when tech companies launch glitzy campaigns to persuade people to trade in their old phones for newer models

We all know that after a few years, our phones might not be able to run the latest apps. It can feel sluggish. Some components, like touchscreens, may begin to fail.

At some point, it does become practical to get a new phone — like when too many negatives add up or the cost of fixing a broken part is too high — but before you splurge on an upgrade, consider these questions.

Am I unhappy with my phone?

If there are elements that make you unhappy, drill down on the problems. A lot of what makes us displeased with our phones can be easily fixed. Here are two of the most common frustrations and their remedies: If the device feels slow or doesn’t last throughout the day, one of the simplest and most affordable solutions is to replace the battery. This greatly elongates a device’s life and speeds it up. Because batteries have a finite life, it’s recommended to replace them every two to three years anyway, said Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, a US company that publishes instructions on repairing gadgets.

Another common issue is running out of data storage. A quick fix is to purge apps that you no longer use. On iPhones, Apple offers the iPhone Storage tool, which shows a list of apps that take up the most data and when they were last used. On Android devices, Google offers a similar tool, Files.

There are some problems, however, that can’t be easily remedied, like a broken touch-screen. When the repair is more than half the cost of a new phone, it may be smarter to trade in your beat-up gadget for a new one.

Can I get software updates?

Phone manufacturers regularly publish software updates that include new features. They also address security vulnerabilities, so it’s important to stay on top of installing them. A good rule of thumb is to consider an upgrade when you can no longer get software updates.

Apple phones get software updates for five to six years. (Apple’s iOS 15 software will be compatible with phones dating back to the iPhone 6S from 2015.) Android devices get them for a shorter period — about two to three years.

How would a new phone change my life?

It is important to imagine what your life would look like with a new phone. If you have a newborn on the way and your phone takes blurry shots, an upgrade with a better camera would probably be a good investment.

But if you mostly use a phone just for basic tasks like making calls, messaging and browsing the web, a newer, faster one won’t make a big difference.

— THE NEW YORK TIMES