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The camera technology advances significantly every year, so it really matters if youβre a photographer.
Beware of your phone going out of support and losing security updates. Android manufacturers tend to drop devices after 2-4 years, Apple after 4-5.
I have a Pixel 2 I picked up in 2018, a few months after they were released (my previous Nexus 5x got the bootloops).
I held off upgrading due to the free original quality Google photos. When that ran out, I did follow new releases, and found the features appealing, but then I'd see the ever inflating prices and couldn't justify spending so much to replace a device that still works fine.
And it does still work. Granted, it's had a new battery and a couple of charging ports (I've gotten a lot bolder with cleaning the ports now, don't expect it to need a 4th any time soon). I'm fortunate to be capable of making those repairs myself, I'd have probably given in and bought an A model otherwise. For now though, I just have to say, maybe next year.
Each year new products & models are launching, so that those in need of it can aquire them. These companies are delivering OS updates for these smartphones so they last longer as realistically possible.
If when yours is broken or far too old, then you should consider aquiring this year's model. So that you can use something that is compatible with studies, work, activities etc.
Obviously each individual/ family/ organization does their own analysis regarding if there is a need or desire to aquire said products. Also what for.
There's a lot of reasons. Single people can spend a lot on tech without thinking. People have lot of money. People don't like their current phone. I say let them spend and keep the companies in business. If all of us stopped buying phones every year and only bought once in 4-5 years, the companies producing phones will have to shut down sooner or later and we'd have just one or two left. I only upgraded recently after 6 years because the phone OS was too old and the cpu was like snail.
You do it to give Samsung or Motorola or Google or apple or Amazon your money every year, obviously
I finally had to upgrade after 5.5 years because software support was lagging for the version of Android I was on.
I buy a new phone anytime a new innovation comes out. I ordered the Google pixel on day 1 and am loving it.
I just enjoy new tech and trying new things in that arena. So new phones before I technically need to is one of the things I spend disposable income on when something in that arena catches my interest.
Does have a nice side effect of constantly reenforcing the use of platform agnostic services and retaining ultimate control of my data if it is something I care about, since it really allows me to just move the sim to a new phone and be up and running in a hour or less with more or less any Apple or Android phone.
I usually break my phone within 12-18 months because they're so damn cheaply made. Why so much glass?
If I could go back to a Treo600 I would do it in a hot second, that was a great phone. I had it for years, it was mostly plastic that I beat up quite a bit, but they use gsm bands that aren't supported anymore.
I kinda have to buy a new phone every few years because I only get a handful of years in terms of updates (Pixel 5). After my phone is unsupported by GrapheneOS I might turn CalyxOS and by then maybe I'll buy a new phone.
Still using my moto g40 since 2021 , don't think I will be needing a new phone for few more years . Might install lineage os to get that latest Android version
Every year no.... Every two maybe, most stop receiving updates after the 2 years, except for some brands and maybe top models...
Nowadays it's slightly better as usually there is a couple more years of security updates but that's it.
Of course if there is scene and you can get some custom ROM like lineage or similar it is slightly better.... But honestly most phones nowadays are locked down.
My Galaxy S8 had a lot of annoying problems both on stock ROM and Lineage OS. After three years I switched to Zenfone 8 and so far I am satisfied. The battery life is crap though, especially after updating to Android 13. I'm considering a downgrade if it's even possible
I only upgrade my phone when it starts to lag and slow down. My last phone I replaced the battery when the life started dropping.
To keep our corporate overlords in their elegant fineries. DUH-HOY
Many people upgrade every year because of perceived obsolescence.