Other Why Aren't we Keeping our iPhones for Years?

[iObama]

I’ve been keeping my phones longer and longer each time. I had the 11 Pro Max and would’ve kept it for a longer time if it had ProMotion. Kept the 13PM for 4 years though — and will likely do the same, if not longer for my 17P.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I do. Not directly, mind you, but my old iPhone is definitely still in service.

Nobody tell my mom that her phone isn't the newest model.

 

[tomori]

Who is this 'we' that replaces their phone every 2 years?

I kept my pale green iPhone12 for 5 years, and even then it was working fine. It looked just as fine as it did on Day 1. But I really needed a new camera upgrade so I moved to 17 Pro.

On the other hand, I used my Samsung S8 for 3 years (overheating and shutdown), Samsung S6 for 2 years (battery bloat with screen detachment), Samsung S4 for 2 years (green lines on screen).

 

[mrochester]

I am not talking about the functionality, I am merely speaking about how it looks. For the 16e and 17e I wish they went with this type of design.

View attachment 2641709

How does Face ID work in this mockup though? You are missing all the sensors.

 

[mikkker007]

I'm preaching to myself I guess, but with the high quality of iPhones both in physical build and OS, I'm curious why we move on to a new iPhone after only a year or two of use? With a couple of my old devices, I replaced them after only a year or so of use - the iPhone SE (1st gen) and the 13. But on the other hand, I kept my iPhone 8 Plus for four years, and I was extremely happy with it from day one all the way to the end of its 48 month tenure. I figure I could have squeezed another couple of years out of it, but the thought of a shiny new device (the 13) was too much to take lol. At the end of the 8 Plus' time with me, it seemed just as capable and fast as when I first got it.

With my iPhone 8 Plus experience under my belt, I've decided to keep my 16e, which I've had for only 3-1/2 months, for 5 years. Or at least try for 5 years. Since I'm retired and have limited income, it seems the smart thing to do - especially with the high quality of iDevices I've experienced, and specifically my experience with the 8 Plus.

Who else wants to keep their iPhones for a looooooong time?

I myself change every year because i have a problem. My FOMO is real.... lol😂

 

[xxFoxtail]

I'm preaching to myself I guess, but with the high quality of iPhones both in physical build and OS, I'm curious why we move on to a new iPhone after only a year or two of use? With a couple of my old devices, I replaced them after only a year or so of use - the iPhone SE (1st gen) and the 13. But on the other hand, I kept my iPhone 8 Plus for four years, and I was extremely happy with it from day one all the way to the end of its 48 month tenure. I figure I could have squeezed another couple of years out of it, but the thought of a shiny new device (the 13) was too much to take lol. At the end of the 8 Plus' time with me, it seemed just as capable and fast as when I first got it.

With my iPhone 8 Plus experience under my belt, I've decided to keep my 16e, which I've had for only 3-1/2 months, for 5 years. Or at least try for 5 years. Since I'm retired and have limited income, it seems the smart thing to do - especially with the high quality of iDevices I've experienced, and specifically my experience with the 8 Plus.

Who else wants to keep their iPhones for a looooooong time?

I planned on keeping my 14 Pro another 2-3 years. But the iPhone Air won me over with its looks. Hindsight, maybe not my best financial decision, but I’m happy with it. Upgrading from my iPhone mini was my biggest regret though.

 

[TechRunner]

I usually keep mine for about three years then trade for the upgraded camera technology, but given the price hikes that have and will happen I will be tempted to keep my 16PM for longer than usual (I'm at 19 months now).

 

[maerz001]

Simple answer for me. It is simply too boring to keep a phone for more than a few years. I know that is an unpopular opinion, but it is the one that I hold. I see a phone as something transitional, temporary, and ultimately to be swapped out eventually. I sold my original Iphone 6 years ago. I sold my Samsung A53 when I upgraded to the Iphone 13, and then 2 years later, traded that one in for my current Iphone 16e.

I will likely be buying my 17e tomorrow and trading in my 16e.

Speaking of boring and buying a 17e after 16e is something

 

[NUFC2025]

I have just upgraded my main phone from the SE3 to a 17e.
Before that I had a 6s from launch until 2022 and I would still have it in use if my banking app still worked.

 

[Ray2]

I keep my iPhones until they can no longer do text, phone, Google Maps and listening to music. When they’re retired they’re on the same iOS version as when they were shipped. Always run 2 lines on TMO's cheapest prepaid plan. Current phones are a 13 mini (edc) and an 11 Pro Max (used for travel).

 

[damorino]

I kept my iPhone 13 for around 3+ years mainly because the upgrades didn't impress me much. I'll try to keep my 16 Pro even longer if the Fold doesn't get me immediately.

 

[Philip1]

I only upgraded my 1st Gen SE when I did because the 'Accept cookies' notices were getting too large to get to the buttons and hence the website (they don't usually scroll). My dad, who doesn't browse the web, is using it - 9 years and 1 battery replacement. Now some website/app interfaces are getting frustratingly large for my 13 mini! Screen size inflation...

 

[Mat1959]

Still on a iPhone 8, which I bought refurbished 256GB. Just replaced the battery, that means another 3 years. The only culprit the quality of the camera (single lens) so the next one will be with dual lenses. My wife owns an iPhone 12 with dual lenses, so she is the photographer.

 

[klowy79]

As you can see from the comments, you might change your phone often, but most of us don't. I used to. Now I've decided to throw less money away.

 

[B A S]

I'm planning to upgrade this year to an 18 Pro Max from my trusty 7Plus, which is now 10 years old! I had the battery replaced earlier this year as its capacity had dropped to 65% The main things Ill be upgrading for are app compatibility with the latest IOS (several on my 7Plus can no longer be updated from the latest IOS that the 7P,us can run.) Also the camera upgrade from the 7Plus to the 18PM will be big particularly in low light, ability to shoot in slog etc and better slo mo, and the new zoom. I'm not particularly bothered about AI generally aside from where it is used with the camera. My phone stays in a case most of the time except if filming alot, so next year's wrap-around no bezel screen while nice is not essential for me.If I was focussed on the screen for that feature I'd wait for the 2028 model as the 2027 one will be the usual first gen public beta and any issues will be addressed for the 2nd gen. Unfortunately for me I seem to be ready to upgrade as the price is about to increase for the first time in ages! Part of my not upgrading by the way was not having funds to upgrade more often, and I can understand why someone would upgrade more often than me if they can affird to if specific newer features are desired even if smaller improvements than my jump from the 7Plus to 18PM.

 

[AussieStu]

I do.. I have to. Now that the prices are going up again... i'll be keeping my phone for another year or 2. :-(

 

[Falcon9]

I also keep my phone for while. Had my XS for 5 yrs before upgrading to a 15 Pro. Hard to believe that is approaching 3 yrs ago now... the battery is starting to feel a little tired, but I will probably hold off on upgrading for another couple years until the next major redesign comes out (that is, assuming I can afford it with the way prices are going...).

I don't think the majority of folks are upgrading every or every other year anymore. In the last decade or so the hardware has matured enough that the year over year improvements are too small to justify doing so with such frequency for most. Of course here on a tech form, with lots of enthusiasts present, the demographic may be skewed towards more frequent upgraders who like to have the latest thing still.

 

[jjrtiger]

IMHO iPhones peaked for me with the 11 Pro. That green color…

I would have kept it but switched to Verizon and they provided a 14 Pro. Wasn’t impressed but it was essentially free over 3 years.

I would have kept the 14 Pro but again, couldn’t pass up the $1100 off the 17 Pro. It’s a bit faster. The side buttons are nice. But I would have stuck with the 14 Pro if not for the promo. A big caveat with the 17 is that it’s BIG. First iPhone I cannot comfortably use with one hand, although Apples woven fabric case helps.

Without any promos or carrier switches, I’d still be on the 11 Pro.

 

[Basic75]

I'm curious why we move on to a new iPhone after only a year or two of use?

Who is "we"? I have never replaced any expensive device after only a year or two just for the heck of it. For me the phone is a tool, like a computer. As long as it gets the job done well enough, and the new model doesn't offer significant practical benefits, why spend money?. What makes people upgrade a phone after one year? FOMO? Seeing it as fashion accessory? Mindless consumerism, no reason needed?

 

[al_berto39]

I'm preaching to myself I guess, but with the high quality of iPhones both in physical build and OS, I'm curious why we move on to a new iPhone after only a year or two of use? With a couple of my old devices, I replaced them after only a year or so of use - the iPhone SE (1st gen) and the 13. But on the other hand, I kept my iPhone 8 Plus for four years, and I was extremely happy with it from day one all the way to the end of its 48 month tenure. I figure I could have squeezed another couple of years out of it, but the thought of a shiny new device (the 13) was too much to take lol. At the end of the 8 Plus' time with me, it seemed just as capable and fast as when I first got it.

With my iPhone 8 Plus experience under my belt, I've decided to keep my 16e, which I've had for only 3-1/2 months, for 5 years. Or at least try for 5 years. Since I'm retired and have limited income, it seems the smart thing to do - especially with the high quality of iDevices I've experienced, and specifically my experience with the 8 Plus.

Who else wants to keep their iPhones for a looooooong time?

I would like to keep them longer (4-5 years) but I tend to have trigger events (usually unmissable sales) which means that I upgrade on average every 3 years.

 

[thadoggfather]

I thought about this recently.

It is crazy that when phones were far less competent and cool, and cheaper, people held onto them much longer.

Now the average person might upgrade every 1-2 years, whereas that used to only be an enthusiast thing.

Maybe in light of price increases, that's exactly what people will do but I dunno.

 

[ftaok]

For me, I've only had 4 smartphones starting with the iPhone 5 in 2012. We moved onto the iPhone 6 in 2014. Then I moved onto the Xs in 2018. I just swapped to a 17e a few months ago.

Every time I upgraded, I moved onto the top-line iPhone at the time ... except this last upgrade. I went down to the entry level phone.

So for me, I've been holding onto my phones longer and longer, and now I've moved off of the flagship an onto the budget phone. Not sure I'll be able to hold onto my 17e for 7.5 years like I did with the Xs, but at $600, if I get through 4 years, I'll have made out on an annualized basis compared to the Xs.

 

[MrMojo1]

Keeping my 13 PM for 4+ years & will get a battery replacement as the phone meets my current needs. Hopefully it’ll still be supported for the next few years.
It’s too darn expensive to get a newer Pro Max phone >$1,000!
Apple should bring back the Plus size with ProMotion screen resolution.
Even a refurbished 16 PM is a bit pricey.

 

[Unami]

I usually plan on keeping them for 3-4 years and buy them used as the prices seem kind of high for me in comparison to two year old models with only minimally worse hardware. 5+ years would be the optimum, but I kind of get GAS before that. I usually run out of patience when an Apple device gets its last point-software-update that ineviteably seems to slow it down to "no more fun to use" for me. Also, hardware upgrades feel less substantial now. Sure, now the ultrawide camera also has greater resolution, but it's images still look like a.. . For every hardware upgrade we seem to get a software update that mitogates it. Better camera? Yes, BUT we're now doing pseudo-HDR on the sky so strong that it looks unnatural and adds fringes around every object in front of it. Better CPU/GPU? Of course but now they have to render the optical effects of "liquid glass".

But we'll see what happens if they rise prices on a new model that again does barely more than the one 2 years ago. Maybe less people will buy them and phone-manufacturers will then start to prolong the life of their devices - or make cheaper ones.

 

[rensuchan]

I typically upgrade every 2-3 years... but my record low was a few months when I upgraded from an iPhone 6 to.... an iPhone 6 with double the storage capacity lol.

My first smart phone was an Android but my iPhone journey has been... 5 -> 6 -> 6 with more storage -> 8 Plus -> 10s Max -> 12 -> 14 Pro Max -> 17

I think at this point, the phones have gotten big enough that I don't feel like I'm missing anything from not having a larger size and the base series got ProMotion this time around so it was easy for me to drop the Pro line.

Though typically I am every 2-3 years, I have a feeling the cycle will be longer this time. The 17 is an amazing device and I've finally gotten rid of the FOMO for features I don't really use on the Pro lines. I'll be interested to see what is announced in 2029-2030.