New battery or new phone?

danrv

Hi
My Samsung Galaxy S7 is probably getting on for 5-6 years old and runs Android 8.0. It’s been looked after but battery seems to run down quicker than it used to, even with battery saving on.
I’m on a EE SIM only plan (bought phone outright) but this has now expired so now on rolling monthly which doesn’t work out much more expensive.
I think the S7 battery is replaceable but wondering if it’s worth it.

New Galaxys are expensive now and I don’t really want a £30+ per month contract. SIM only at around £11.00 per month has been fine for my use.
Thinking of maybe a refurbished S9 or if there are now new cheaper alternatives like Oppo, Huawei or OnePlus.
Have always been impressed how fast the S7 is.
Any help appreciated.

flaneurs_lobster

If you are happy with the phone you have (and you have no worries about security updates having ended some time ago) then go and spend on the new battery at your local fix-it store. Shouldn't be more than 40 quid-ish. 

One thing you will find on pretty much any new phone (including the S9) is that they are significantly larger than your S7. This may be either a good or bad thing depending on your use.

nottsphil

I think the current epidemic of huge elongated smartphones is a bad thing. I'm still running a large 2017 Huawei p8 lite because standard 16:9 video fills the whole screen. On a longer phone, the picture would be distorted on full screen, making the extra length of the phone redundant. My advice to the OP is don't splash out on a new battery replacement until absolutely necessary, because the phone may have broken anyway in that time. Also, brilliant as Huawei phones are, a new one will sadly be unable to access the Google play store.

danrv

flaneurs_lobster said:

If you are happy with the phone you have (and you have no worries about security updates having ended some time ago) then go and spend on the new battery at your local fix-it store. Shouldn't be more than 40 quid-ish. 

One thing you will find on pretty much any new phone (including the S9) is that they are significantly larger than your S7. This may be either a good or bad thing depending on your use.

Thanks.
I occasionally use it for purchasing things and online banking so security is important. Could be a good enough reason to upgrade.
Good point about the size. I bought the S7 because it’s compact.

400ixl

If you only use the phone for calls, texts and basic browsing then maybe replace the battery.

Given it is way outside of getting any security updates, if you use it for anything like banking, social media or apps you purchase from then replace it with something that is still getting security updates.

MikeJXE

You won't get good security on a phone thats no longer supported, there are plenty of recent refurbished phones about that have a few years to go yet 

danrv

Thanks for the replies. New or refurb phone best then.
Shame Android devices aren’t supported for longer. Apple probably better in that respect.
The phone is physically immaculate but with a lot of stuff moving over to online/cashless and bank branches closing, security support is important. 

MikeJXE

If you prefer a small phone i can recommend iPhone 12 mini

danrv

Have always liked how Android phones are recognised as external media when connected to a PC. So easy to transfer files.
Not sure if iTunes is still needed to do the same with an iPhone or iPad.

MikeJXE

iPhone transfers to iPad or Mac without connection, the media is on all at the same time

BUFF

You can get a Sony Xperia 10 IV 128GB for £300 atm (giffgaff did have it at £249).
That is a good price for a phone of it's spec. (mid-range not flagship)