How old is your handset?

MSE_Laura_F

This question was discussed in 2006 and again in 2017, with answers ranging from, 'I change my handset every 2-3 months' to '10 years old and going strong'.

How have things changed in 2023?

Let us know: how old is the mobile handset you currently use?

🗣️📱

400ixl

I am in the change it every 2-3 years, although that could be longer now with some Android providers extending out the guarantee of upgrades past that point and security updates even further.

I do wonder if the people in the longer range are staying within the mobile providers security update lifecycle or even know what that is.

ididgetwhereiamtoday

Mine is a XS so 5 years old though I only bought it  1 year ago. I always go for a top of the range handset but only second hand as I can’t bring myself to drop £1000 on a handset. 

DullGreyGuy

400ixl said:

I am in the change it every 2-3 years, although that could be longer now with some Android providers extending out the guarantee of upgrades past that point and security updates even further.

I do wonder if the people in the longer range are staying within the mobile providers security update lifecycle or even know what that is.

In Jan of this year Apple did an update for iOS12 which was the last OS that 5s that was released in 2013. They've done several security updates for iOS15 which was the last OS for the 6s that was released in 2015. So you can use their devices for a lot longer and still be secure. 

Personally I normally change every 3-4 years, this time I upgraded early (after 2 years) due to accidental damage and it just made sense to replace it rather than repair it (which would have been a replacement anyway)

PHK

My phone is just under three years old (iPhone 12). Still on 89% battery health and receiving regular updates. 
I'm just beginning to notice an occasional slight slowness, so I'm going to try a factory reset. If that works I'll probably keep the phone for another year or so.

rancid-a

Pixel 2. Not sure how old that is, 6 years? It's being replaced on Thursday with a Pixel 8 pro

Rob5342

Mine is a pixel 6 which I got just over a year ago. I'd like to upgrade to a Pixel 8 but I'll try and wait until August next year when the contract ends.

Mnoee

Mine is only a year old at the moment - it was replacing a second hand phone I'd had for 5 years that no longer recieved security updates (and hadn't for some time!). The old phone was starting to get a bit sluggish, but still worked, I just wanted peace of mind for my banking apps once I realised it wasn't being updated. 

I have a tablet I use at home for the majority of things, so I tend to go for a lower spec cheaper phone as it doesn't get that much use. 

flamingo747

I actually don't know, as hubby bought it second hand and I usually have all his hand-me-down handsets as my upgrade (sim only plan). Its a Samsung galaxy S10e, released in 2019 so likely 4 years old. I don't care about being trendy or fancy features as I am neither cool nor a gamer. 

MSE_Laura_F

I've had my Pixel for four years now. The last two years I've been on a SIM-only contract. It's served me well, but it's getting to the stage now that it sometimes shuts itself down and restarts. Might be time for a new one.

brewerdave

The phone I'm currently using is ~ 15 years old and only accesses 2G !! So no mobile internet.
 I have recently purchased a much more modern handset and I'm testing out cheap SIMs to allow us to use wifi calling when Openreach switch off PSTN here next Spring, in case we can't find a suitable VOIP solution. Not bothered by usage allowance as I still carry out all my main tasks via either the desktop PC or a cheap tablet