In today’s fast-paced world, smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. They serve as our communication tools, personal assistants, entertainment hubs, and much more. However, with technology constantly evolving, it can be challenging to determine when the right time is to upgrade your phone. In this article, we will explore when and why you should consider upgrading your smartphone. For illustration purposes I will use my personal situation. I currently have an IPhone XR with 128 Gig of storage. It has a cracked screen but is generally working fine.
When to Upgrade
- Outdated Hardware: One of the most obvious signs that it’s time for an upgrade is when your phone’s hardware can no longer keep up with your needs. Slow performance, unresponsive touchscreens, and battery issues are clear indicators that it’s time for a change.
In my case the phone still performs well. There is not any noticeable slowness in the apps that I use and my battery life is still at 90% capacity. My issues are the cracked screen and the face ID is beginning to give me problems. I could probably have these repaired for around $200, but do I want to sink that kind of money into an older phone? Also, the newer phones have better battery life which is a big deal to me.
Verdict: I should upgrade - Software Updates: As phone manufacturers release new software updates, older devices may no longer receive support. This means you could miss out on essential security patches and new features, leaving your phone vulnerable to security threats.
In my case with the new Apple IOS version being released this fall, my phone will still receive updates. It’s at the bottom of the compatibility list since any phone from the Iphone X and older will not receive updates.
Verdict: I do not need to upgrade. - Camera Quality: If photography is important to you, keep an eye on the latest advancements in smartphone cameras. Upgrading to a phone with a better camera can significantly improve your photography and video recording capabilities.
The camera on the IPhone 15 is much better than the one on my current IPhone XR. I take a lot of photos and fancy myself as a photography enthusiast so a better camera would be a good thing for me.
Verdict: I should upgrade - Storage Space: Running out of storage space can be a headache, especially if you frequently download apps, capture photos and videos, or store large files. Consider upgrading to a phone with more storage capacity to avoid constantly managing space.
I have 128Gig of storage on my current phone, and only user about 40Gig of it.
Verdict: I do not need to upgrade. - 5G Connectivity: With the rollout of 5G networks, upgrading to a 5G-compatible phone can provide faster internet speeds and improved connectivity. If you live in an area with 5G coverage, this can be a compelling reason to upgrade. This is a nice feature, but if you primarily use WIFI and do not use a lot of data requiring high speeds (like video streaming) 4G service is still fine.
My current phone does not support 5G. We have 5G coverage where I live and I would really like the potential faster speed this would provide.
Verdict: I should upgrade
The decision to upgrade your phone is nothing to be taken lightly. It is expensive and takes some effort to get everything transferred and setup on your new phone.
In my case I will upgrade after the new IPhone 15 comes out later this fall. Even though it is not mandatory, the cost to repair my cracked screen, the better camera, and the 5G capability is enough to warrant an upgrade.