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Other What was your record longest use of an iphone or android or any other mobile phone before switching/upgrading

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Sami77

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Original poster
Hi, I'm curious to know what your record longest use of an iphone, android or any other type of mobile phone was before switching to a different or newer model?
My personal record is 7 years and counting, I still use iphone 6S as my main phone since December 2018.
 
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Good effort for not being a sucker for consumerism like the rest of us hah..

Hmm probably the iPhone X until the 12 mini came, and I only changed because mini. From the X onwards yearly upgrades have felt very incremental.
 
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About 4 years for me.

I switched from an iPhone 8+ to the 13 pro max (so 4 years from 2017 to 2021). I was actually prepared to hold on to the 13 pro max longer, but it started developing screen issues last week. It didn’t make financial sense to fix the display, so I guess I am now the proud owner of a 17 pro max?
 
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Around 4 years on iPhone 7 (2016-2020). That got replaced with an iPhone SE (2020) for the updated chipset and SIM+eSIM support. I wanted to keep the smallish size, TouchID home button and LCD.

I used to upgrade every 1-2 years before that as battery's usually degraded after year 2 and performance used to decline significantly after 2 major iOS updates. It cost $99 to replace the battery and $199 to upgrade so I opted for the upgrade (family plan with alternate upgrade eligibility). 1-year old iPhones get passed down to those within the plan. 2-year old iPhones are given away to extended family.
 
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2.5 years - iPhone 8 and also iPhone 13.

I plan on using my 17 Pro as a daily driver for 4-5 years since it’s so damn powerful.
 
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Andeddu said:
I plan on using my 17 Pro as a daily driver for 4-5 years since it’s so damn powerful.
Click to expand...

I currently use the iPhone 17 which is more than powerful enough for my needs but I reckon I’ll probably upgrade to the 20th anniversary iPhone just because.
 
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Sami77 said:
Hi, I'm curious to know what your record longest use of an iphone, android or any other type of mobile phone was before switching to a different or newer model?
My personal record is 7 years and counting, I still use iphone 6S as my main phone since December 2018.
Click to expand...
You really got me thinking because even when I was in highschool (2004-2008) I had at least 7 phones (Nokia smartphones and Sony Ericsson phones) in that 4 year period. 😂

  • Think the longest Android: Samsung Galaxy Note 4, had it from launch in 2014 to 2016.
  • The longest iPhone: iPhone 11 Pro Max from early 2020 until late 2022.
So the longest I have consistently had a particular phone as my primary device is 2 years on average.

If I choose to skip the 18 Pro Max then the 17 Pro Max may get into that list too.
 
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Sami77 said:
My personal record is 7 years and counting, I still use iphone 6S as my main phone since December 2018.
Click to expand...
Like you, I had my iPhone 6s for a while: from 2016 through 2022, approximately 6+ years, before upgrading to the SE 3. As of a few weeks ago, I've upgraded to the iPhone 17, so about 3.5 years with the SE 3.

Before that, it was the iPhone 5s for 2 years, an LG Octane for 2 years, and my first cell phone (an LG flip phone whose moniker I can't recall) for about 8 years.

At this rate, I don't think anything will beat the longevity of my original LG, at least as far as my use is concerned.
 
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Short answer: about 3 1/2 years.

Since the 3GS, I was replacing phones every year. Until the 7. I was a headphone jack holdout and hoped it would make a comeback and when it didn't, I got an 8. I skipped the X because it was 1st gen and I was hoping the notch would go away. When it didn't, I got a XS. Skipped 11 because I didn't like the bigger camera bump and hoped it would shrink. It didn't so I got a 12. I skipped the 13 because... superstitious... okay, just a little stitious... I got a 13 mini... I would still be using the 13 mini as a daily but I really liked AOD and ProMotion so got a 14. Skipped the 15 due to overheating. Skipped the 16 because the camera control button and phone kept getting bigger/heavier. Got a 17 Pro because it looks like they'll just keep getting bigger and heavier and foldier, and I like the cameras and I finally upgraded all my Apple accessories to USB-C versions, so phone was last to get an upgrade. So now I'm hoping as always perhaps a mini-esque phone is surprisingly announced, or if the iPhone Air survives, an updated version with additional camera for macro shots and stereo speakers. Otherwise, I'm holding out for some revolutionary 20th anniversary iPhone.
 
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I used a 6S for about 6 years too but battery was terrible and replacement battery failed quickly. I got a Moto 2024 freebie phone and it is just excellent. I don't want to pay $$$$ for another iPhone.
 
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I used a Palm Treo 650 for around six years from around 2005 to 2010. I also used it intermittently after that and it still works to this day. I've also been using a Samsung Galaxy S9 since 2018 and I am still using it actively now. I also used an iPhone 6s for over five years.
 
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13 years MB Air 11", broken screen with streaks, battery replaced, slow like hell, browser no longer upgradable.
9 years iPhone SE 1st generation, Google translate and uber app could no longer be updated.

But my real record is software, I been using Photoshop 6.0 Windows since the 1990, until 2025 when noticed the new Apps have AI features that are highly desirable, like smart magnetic selection.
 
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SE rose gold 128GB 2016-2024.

iPhone-SE-rose-gold-unlocked-and-renewed.jpg
 
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Had my iPhone 8 for 4,5 years before upgrading to a 13 mini.

The battery in the 8 is toast, in the 13 health is down to 85%.

Time will tell if it's worth replacing the battery in the 13 or buy a new phone.
 
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