Weekend Open Forum: How often do you upgrade your smartphone?

[Railman]

Reply to Alpha Gamer
One indicator to show if you have a smart phone is how long the battery lasts. If the battery does not need charging for five days it is not likely to be a smart phone

 

[mrtraver]

I can't justify the cost of a data plan that costs as much as my home internet, so will keep using my old Samsung Rant "texting phone" as long as it works. Had it over four years now!!

 

[Railman]

I don't have an expensive data plan. In fact I tend to use my home WiFi for connecting to internet.

 

[hahahanoobs]

Every year or so. I buy my smartphones used off kijiji.

 

[baN893]

Bought a iPhone 3G back in the day, and lasted me until I bought a Sony Xperia Tipo Dual this summer.
So a new smart phone about every 6 years roughly. Don't expect my Sony to last that long though.

 

[Alpha Gamer]

Reply to Alpha Gamer
One indicator to show if you have a smart phone is how long the battery lasts. If the battery does not need charging for five days it is not likely to be a smart phone

I usually charge it once a week, this is the one I've been using for the last year. Considering it was free, it's the best phone I could ever have (along with all the others I've been given in the last decade) .

 

[Jad Chaar]

I just got my first smartphone in September. I am not sure if I will upgrade in 2 years, but I probably will.

 

[soldier1969]

Every 18 months even though AT&T and Verizon recently moved eligibility out 2 years. Still using a Note 1 waiting for the Note 3 in September and will pay what it takes to get one.

 

[t3chn0vamp]

Usually in one year but now that I got Nexus 4, I guess I am good for next 2 years.

 

[MrBlkfx1]

I usually upgrade every 1-2 years. But, it all depends on the particular device. Right now I have a Galaxy Note II. The phone is very capable and may last me longer than the norm 1-2 years.

 

[stateofjermaine]

Wow, I'm surprised at how few TS readers seem to be enthusiastic about mobile devices. I love trying out new devices of all kinds, and I normally use my wife's or daughter's upgrade when it rolls around, since they have found a home with Apple devices. This puts me at roughly once every 12 months, I suppose. In rare cases, sooner. But I'm always reading and learning about new devices and I love to try out new tech.

If I could upgrade every 6 months, so long as manufacturers keep pace with compelling products [HTC One, Lumia 1020, HTC One mini], I would absolutely do so in a heartbeat. That's not to say that my mind is made up regarding these new services [always a skeptic with wireless carriers], but I definitely have enough interest to keep up with a plan like this.

 

[veLa]

October 2011 - My first smartphone, Galaxy S2

August 2012 - Galaxy S2 was stolen, got the Galaxy S2 Skyrocket for cheap

May 2013 - Upgraded to the Galaxy S4 because police officers confiscated my Galaxy S2 Skyrocket after I was the victim of gun violence. I tried really hard to get it back since I was the victim and was never charged with a crime but I was never able to get it back. This led to a growing distaste for American Law Enforcement.

On another note the police also took my $1500 gaming laptop as 'evidence'. Total BS, I got abused by the law and I wasn't even the bad guy.

 

[Guest]

1) 3gs: Bought used for $150
2) iPhone 4: bought used for $200, sold 3gs for $150
3) LG P500?: bought super sale for $75, immdeiatly sold for $75
4) S2X: super cleanarence $150, sold for $150
5) HTC 8X: extreme deal from girl :$100 sold for $375
6) 3gs (again): $80 used.
7) Nexus 7: $50 (what I paid for the PC)
8) Note 2: used for $300, sold for $450
9) Nexus 4: used for $200... keeping

Over all, I have only basically put in $145 into finding (and owning) my dream phone

Yea....I'm sure you remember exactly how much you spent and sold every phone for. If you're "Puking" because you can't learn a new OS then it's a good thing you're still using an old iPhone.

I had the Nokia 3360, then the White Chocolate, then a Droid 2, tried the BlackBerry Storm - returned it because the "touch" capability wasn't really touch (There are buttons beneath the screen) and it self-restarted after a number of actions (Like trying to take a photo) reboot time was forever. Returned it for the Droid 4 which I currently use, it's heavier and bulkier than most smart phones but I absolutely love the physical keyboard. This phone has MAYBE self-restarted 2 or 3 times over the past few years, and a buddy of mine still uses my old Droid 2 and loves it. I'm due for an upgrade but since Verizon will take away my grandfather'd in unlimited data I'll be using my phone until it no longer works. Not sure how they can legally revoke something contractually grandfathered in...bull!

 

[Guest]

Aged 15 had a Nokia brick, all the usual stories of total indestructibility, but this one also survived a 100ft drop onto grass from the open cockpit of an old glider that was coming in to land, followed by a week of being left on the airfield before it's discovery the next Saturday.

Aged 17 replaced it with a HTC Desire HD, which did everything I needed, and was reasonably tough until one night when it fell 3m from my pocket onto concrete, which cracked the screen a bit. (I would tell you that it was a long story, but it isn't - I was quite drunk and hanging from the roof of a garage) Anyway, got the screen sorted, and bought it an armored case, haven't had any problems since (2 years)

 

[Guest]

My first smartphone was Nokia 5320
in 2011 I changed it for a Nokia 500
then I stopped using Symbian now because lack of Apps :S and Ended Lifecycle
so now I use Lumia 620 and I'am prett happy with WP8

 

[ET3D]

Depends on what you call a smartphone. I've owned several Nokia S60 and Windows Mobile phones, and those were considered smartphones. So I guess every year or two for a while. Then I got a Motorola DEFY, grew tired of it and went back to the Nokia 6120c. Its main advantage is that it fits nicely in my pocket, and because smartphones have only grown bigger with time, I don't see myself getting one any time soon. The Sony Xperia SX SO-05D did catch my eye, because it has a decent size and enough power, but it's Japanese only, and too pricy.

I do like the idea of a smartphone, just don't know of one I'd like to own. If and when Google Glass and such solutions become more common and cheap, I might get one as a phone replacement (or companion to a small phone, depending on how the technology pans out).

 

[tonylukac]

Had my dumbphone for 10 years. Programmed a few apps tho.

 

[Archean]

Usually after 1+ year. But I do get to try out most new smartphones when they come out, so that perhaps help in keeping the upgrade cycle bit more realistic.

Currently I am using Lumia 920 as my daily driver, and it is a fantastically stable and consistent performer, along with an crash prone S3 (that is why I use it for my work number ) which is mostly a testing device for trying out ROMS these days.

 

[DelJo63]

Only when it breaks. currently using Nokia 6350 from 2005 and completely satisfied, ergo no need for so-called upgrades
It supports the obvious plus GPS maps, Java, Browser, secondary micro-sd which gives pictures and music storage.
(btw: the 6350 is a non-touch dummy, like me).