1. Replacing one that no longer gets security updates
2. Bragging rights.
That’s all the good reasons I can think of.
GrandJunctionMarmots on
Finally getting rid of lightning cords. But beyond that, not much reason.
blkaino on
New phones are going through the disposable shaving blade phase to see how many lenses they can fit. I have two lenses on mine and really don’t care if it just had one, I just want a decent picture, not film the next Hollywood blockbuster.
morbob on
My 13 is still running great, no need, I’m waiting 1 or 2 years more.
Programed-Response on
Security and OS updates.
Buying the newest model and keeping it until it’s no longer supported is valid.
It doesn’t have to be the flagship model though. A brand new budget phone is just as valid.
ethereumfail on
They got rid of removable batteries so it’s usually easier to replace the entire phone than to replace degrading battery that lasts less and less every day. They probably don’t use anything complicated so it’s trivial for them to swap phones with same account. Now they even want you charging headphones lol
I can’t stand it as I setup a lot of complicated stuff on my phones that takes long time to set up. If you want removable battery, the choices are extremely limited and specs are far lower. Last few years only had basically XCover 6 Pro.
TitaniumShadows on
Most the time, it’s probably out of sheer boredom and the social aspect. My 3 year old S21 Ultra cost as much as a laptop, so I expect it to last as long as a laptop. I don’t care about security updates on Android because no one is going to want to steal photos of my dogs, and if they do, big whoop.
They use very smart advertising and social plays to make you think you NEED 7 cameras that can xray your hamster, or AI that can write a novel, or an even faster processor. You don’t.
supremedalek925 on
I think a lot of people do it just because the number in the name is bigger than the number in their phone’s name.
DustyBusterson on
My 13 Pro still works just fine and is paid for. No reason to have a $200 phone bill again.
axarce on
Only time to upgrade is when the phone no longer meets your needs or it is not getting security updates.
I had my Galaxy S5 for 5 years before going to the S10. Went to the S22 because the tradein was ridiculously in my favor.
murdering_time on
Man I remember the days around 2010 where buying a new cellphone after only a year or two was a huge upgrade. You’d be guaranteed a better camera, faster processor, more RAM/memory, better screen, way more features, improved OS, etc etc. Now what do you get? Maybe something 5% faster that looks the exact same as your previous phone. I mean the iPhone hasn’t been updated in like 5 years, waste of money.
Just bought a referb Pixel 7 pro, the 9 is out, but doesn’t do anything that the 7 can’t, why would I upgrade?
Competitive-Dot-3333 on
To increase unnecessary waste as fast as possible.
Particular_Row_8037 on
My GS22 battery didn’t last through the day. Then I got half off the price for my OP12R when I traded it in. I get better reception on the OP now.
Agreeable_Service407 on
People who have nothing going on in their life can have a shortlived felling of fulfillment.
hsnoil on
Other than those seeking the shiniest newest thing, most people switch when either their battery starts dying or it starts lagging with new apps.
If batteries were easily removable, cheap to replace and option readily encouraged, much more people would keep their phone longer. Of course manufacturers don’t want this because they would lose money
Kindly_Extent7052 on
I realised my 128gb not enough.
Are_we_winning_son on
When you want to upgrade your old phone that you held on to since 2018…
eviltwintomboy on
I actually bought a phone case that recharges my battery. I get about two or three extra full charges out of it. I have the iPhone 13, which is enough for me.
Imaginary_Pudding_20 on
Your old one broke, or it’s too old, or you gave it to a family member, or you lost it…..
There are reasons.
StatusCount7032 on
Well. To have the latest, of course, and show it to all.🫤
slipperystar on
If it’s really innovative it’s fun but that’s rare.
gregsapopin on
What’s the point of consumerism?
cwm9 on
For me, the point was Google’s promise to have OS support for 8 years + faster charging + larger display moving away from a phone that had expired OS support.
VintageKofta on
Planned obsolescence. That’s why.Â
It’s frustrating.Â
trollsmurf on
And it’s not necessary to buy the flagship models. I tend to stay around $400.
J_Vizzle on
because they are giving me a $1000 credit for my 13 pro max. it will be like $200 bucks to upgrade to the latest greatest iphone with a brand new battery and very upgraded camera. plus whatever else they’ve improved
Bradp1337 on
I’m using a three year old z fold 3 and it still works great. No plans to upgrade anytime soon.
Ok_Natural2268 on
To show it off.
MyOtherSide1984 on
Honestly, lots of arguments against it and how it’s a waste, but having just gone from an S21 Fe to an S24 Ultra, it’s night and day, and it’s so fucking nice. If you’ve been routinely a budget buyer, then you probably won’t know what you’re missing out on and, at least on paper, it won’t seem like much. If you used to do flagships but went cheap because you were on a budget (me the last 6 or 7 years), then it can be a nice gift to yourself to try the newest device.
All the review bitched and moaned about how slow this phone was, how bad the camera was, how terrible the battery is, and a bunch of other shit. A lot saying “just get the S23 Ultra or S24, it’s the same”. Might be, but I doubt it. This thing is miles ahead of the S21 Fe it replaced. I’m averaging almost 36 hours of battery with normal use, the camera is an insane upgrade (I have a DSLR, but it’s nice to be caught up on my phone too), and everything is lickity split fast!
Is this upgrade worth $1000? Hell no. Is it worth the $650 it cost me (a $500 upgrade after I sell my S21)? Absolutely yes. The speed alone is so nice, but having a day and a half of battery rather than 18 hours is a game changer. Having a 6.8in screen is huge for me since I have large hands and haven’t had a big phone in ages (6.4 isn’t bad, just the ‘phablet’ size anymore).
So, it probably doesn’t make sense year over year to upgrade, but upgrading from an old device to current ones? Yeah, it’s a big leap forward.
nickkrewson on
Buy what you need, when you need it.
Anything else is vanity, IMHO.
Lopsided_Platypus_51 on
Unpopular opinion, but if I sell my current phone, the new one only costs me about $200 outright and my battery is 100%, the parts are fresh, I have the latest tech, which tech is a passion of mine.
I don’t brag about it or make it a point to talk about it. I just like to swap out phones once a year
General-Customer-550 on
Really no point. People say, bad economy, no jobs etc But throwing so much money on things that get old in two months …
dewky on
The only reason I upgraded recently was to be able to use an esim while travelling.
Repulsive-Finger-954 on
Better functions
Funktapus on
I need a better camera.
-BirdDogActual on
Staying ahead of planned obsolescence
Antilock049 on
I’m still running a busted S9. I’ve not noticed a benefit to change tbh.Â
More or the same phone. Any heavy lifting I’d rather use my pc
TheyHavePinball on
As far as I can tell, it’s to make sure the DJI Drone app still works. Haha. Only reason I asked for a phone upgrade from my work recently. And I’m amazed at how little I can notice any difference from my 4 year old S21 into my s24.
vinegar-and-honey on
This is when they kick the shorter timelines into high gear since nobody cares about upgrading as quick as before. Watch the phone OSes take MASSIVELY more computing power than before just to force upgrades to the ‘latest and greatest’ with no actual reason why
sarhoshamiral on
For Samsung it is trade in deals. It pretty much means whatever I do a Fold costs me 400$/year unless I use a model for longer then 4-5 years.
If I trade in my Fold 5 for Fold 6 now, it will cost me 400$ to upgrade. Next year, around same time upgrading to Fold 7 will be 800$ because Fold 5s trade in value will be less and they won’t have such deals for Fold 6.
40 Comments
1. Replacing one that no longer gets security updates
2. Bragging rights.
That’s all the good reasons I can think of.
Finally getting rid of lightning cords. But beyond that, not much reason.
New phones are going through the disposable shaving blade phase to see how many lenses they can fit. I have two lenses on mine and really don’t care if it just had one, I just want a decent picture, not film the next Hollywood blockbuster.
My 13 is still running great, no need, I’m waiting 1 or 2 years more.
Security and OS updates.
Buying the newest model and keeping it until it’s no longer supported is valid.
It doesn’t have to be the flagship model though. A brand new budget phone is just as valid.
They got rid of removable batteries so it’s usually easier to replace the entire phone than to replace degrading battery that lasts less and less every day. They probably don’t use anything complicated so it’s trivial for them to swap phones with same account. Now they even want you charging headphones lol
I can’t stand it as I setup a lot of complicated stuff on my phones that takes long time to set up. If you want removable battery, the choices are extremely limited and specs are far lower. Last few years only had basically XCover 6 Pro.
Most the time, it’s probably out of sheer boredom and the social aspect. My 3 year old S21 Ultra cost as much as a laptop, so I expect it to last as long as a laptop. I don’t care about security updates on Android because no one is going to want to steal photos of my dogs, and if they do, big whoop.
They use very smart advertising and social plays to make you think you NEED 7 cameras that can xray your hamster, or AI that can write a novel, or an even faster processor. You don’t.
I think a lot of people do it just because the number in the name is bigger than the number in their phone’s name.
My 13 Pro still works just fine and is paid for. No reason to have a $200 phone bill again.
Only time to upgrade is when the phone no longer meets your needs or it is not getting security updates.
I had my Galaxy S5 for 5 years before going to the S10. Went to the S22 because the tradein was ridiculously in my favor.
Man I remember the days around 2010 where buying a new cellphone after only a year or two was a huge upgrade. You’d be guaranteed a better camera, faster processor, more RAM/memory, better screen, way more features, improved OS, etc etc. Now what do you get? Maybe something 5% faster that looks the exact same as your previous phone. I mean the iPhone hasn’t been updated in like 5 years, waste of money.
Just bought a referb Pixel 7 pro, the 9 is out, but doesn’t do anything that the 7 can’t, why would I upgrade?
To increase unnecessary waste as fast as possible.
My GS22 battery didn’t last through the day. Then I got half off the price for my OP12R when I traded it in. I get better reception on the OP now.
People who have nothing going on in their life can have a shortlived felling of fulfillment.
Other than those seeking the shiniest newest thing, most people switch when either their battery starts dying or it starts lagging with new apps.
If batteries were easily removable, cheap to replace and option readily encouraged, much more people would keep their phone longer. Of course manufacturers don’t want this because they would lose money
I realised my 128gb not enough.
When you want to upgrade your old phone that you held on to since 2018…
I actually bought a phone case that recharges my battery. I get about two or three extra full charges out of it. I have the iPhone 13, which is enough for me.
Your old one broke, or it’s too old, or you gave it to a family member, or you lost it…..
There are reasons.
Well. To have the latest, of course, and show it to all.🫤
If it’s really innovative it’s fun but that’s rare.
What’s the point of consumerism?
For me, the point was Google’s promise to have OS support for 8 years + faster charging + larger display moving away from a phone that had expired OS support.
Planned obsolescence. That’s why.Â
It’s frustrating.Â
And it’s not necessary to buy the flagship models. I tend to stay around $400.
because they are giving me a $1000 credit for my 13 pro max. it will be like $200 bucks to upgrade to the latest greatest iphone with a brand new battery and very upgraded camera. plus whatever else they’ve improved
I’m using a three year old z fold 3 and it still works great. No plans to upgrade anytime soon.
To show it off.
Honestly, lots of arguments against it and how it’s a waste, but having just gone from an S21 Fe to an S24 Ultra, it’s night and day, and it’s so fucking nice. If you’ve been routinely a budget buyer, then you probably won’t know what you’re missing out on and, at least on paper, it won’t seem like much. If you used to do flagships but went cheap because you were on a budget (me the last 6 or 7 years), then it can be a nice gift to yourself to try the newest device.
All the review bitched and moaned about how slow this phone was, how bad the camera was, how terrible the battery is, and a bunch of other shit. A lot saying “just get the S23 Ultra or S24, it’s the same”. Might be, but I doubt it. This thing is miles ahead of the S21 Fe it replaced. I’m averaging almost 36 hours of battery with normal use, the camera is an insane upgrade (I have a DSLR, but it’s nice to be caught up on my phone too), and everything is lickity split fast!
Is this upgrade worth $1000? Hell no. Is it worth the $650 it cost me (a $500 upgrade after I sell my S21)? Absolutely yes. The speed alone is so nice, but having a day and a half of battery rather than 18 hours is a game changer. Having a 6.8in screen is huge for me since I have large hands and haven’t had a big phone in ages (6.4 isn’t bad, just the ‘phablet’ size anymore).
So, it probably doesn’t make sense year over year to upgrade, but upgrading from an old device to current ones? Yeah, it’s a big leap forward.
Buy what you need, when you need it.
Anything else is vanity, IMHO.
Unpopular opinion, but if I sell my current phone, the new one only costs me about $200 outright and my battery is 100%, the parts are fresh, I have the latest tech, which tech is a passion of mine.
I don’t brag about it or make it a point to talk about it. I just like to swap out phones once a year
Really no point. People say, bad economy, no jobs etc But throwing so much money on things that get old in two months …
The only reason I upgraded recently was to be able to use an esim while travelling.
Better functions
I need a better camera.
Staying ahead of planned obsolescence
I’m still running a busted S9. I’ve not noticed a benefit to change tbh.Â
More or the same phone. Any heavy lifting I’d rather use my pc
As far as I can tell, it’s to make sure the DJI Drone app still works. Haha. Only reason I asked for a phone upgrade from my work recently. And I’m amazed at how little I can notice any difference from my 4 year old S21 into my s24.
This is when they kick the shorter timelines into high gear since nobody cares about upgrading as quick as before. Watch the phone OSes take MASSIVELY more computing power than before just to force upgrades to the ‘latest and greatest’ with no actual reason why
For Samsung it is trade in deals. It pretty much means whatever I do a Fold costs me 400$/year unless I use a model for longer then 4-5 years.
If I trade in my Fold 5 for Fold 6 now, it will cost me 400$ to upgrade. Next year, around same time upgrading to Fold 7 will be 800$ because Fold 5s trade in value will be less and they won’t have such deals for Fold 6.