Warning sign to replace phone. According to research from Strategy Analytics, users usually wait nearly 3 years before considering a phone replacement. While this approach can be budget-friendly, holding on to a phone beyond its intended lifespan may result in issues, including compromised sound quality, security vulnerabilities, and other potential issues. Here are 10 warning signs it’s time to replace your phone.
Battery drains fast
Jonathan Nantz, a production support engineer at Republic Wireless, advises that if your phone now charges significantly faster but requires frequent charging, it’s a clear signal for an upgrade. Like any heavily used item, the battery in your cell phone will naturally degrade over time. If your phone lacks a replaceable battery, your only option is to invest in a new device.
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No one can hear you
Experiencing sudden disruptions in call quality? If the answer is unexpectedly ‘no,’ even in areas with strong signal, the issue might not lie with your connection but with your microphone. A deteriorating microphone can lead to persistent complaints from the individuals on the other end of your calls, as they struggle to hear your speech.
Your phone is not VoLTE compatible
Have you heard that 3G is phasing out? If your phone lacks support for VoLTE (Voice over Long Term Evolution), a modern technology enabling simultaneous voice calls and data usage, it’s likely time for an upgrade. Check your phone’s connection settings or mobile data options to determine if it supports VoLTE.
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The touch screen no longer works well
Have you observed a decline in the responsiveness of your touchscreen to swipes? When the sensors begin to falter, your phone may work intermittently, requiring repeated swipes or taps for a response. This is a clear indicator that it’s time to consider a new phone. While screen repairs are an option, for older phones, the cost of repair might outweigh the value of the device itself.
Charging does not work well
While cleaning the charging port and addressing moisture issues can enhance your phone’s longevity, there comes a point when these measures may not suffice. If you’ve gone through the steps of restarting your phone, scanning for malware, and installing necessary upgrades, yet it remains slow or laggy, it might be time to bid farewell.
Reboots randomly
If your phone is experiencing random restarts, it could be an indication of malware, potentially granting unauthorized access to hackers. However, if a scan using an anti-malware app like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender reveals no issues, the problem may be attributed to the age and wear of your phone.
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Outdated operating system
When your phone’s hardware becomes outdated, preventing you from upgrading to the latest operating system, it can result in slowed performance and increased vulnerability to security threats, warns Moore-Crispin. If your phone is unable to download the latest updates from Google, it’s a clear signal that it’s time for an upgrade.
You can no longer get technical support
Depending on the age of your phone, the manufacturer or local repair shop may deem it obsolete. In such cases, technical support and spare parts become unavailable, leaving you with no option but to purchase a new phone if it breaks.
The camera is terrible
If your photos display grainy images and lack vibrant colors, it’s a clear signal to consider an upgrade. Even budget phones now boast excellent cameras with higher megapixels, translating to better resolution. Today’s camera phones can reach up to 20 megapixels, delivering sharp images comparable to many modern digital cameras. When seeking an upgrade, prioritize phones with zoom capabilities and the ability to capture high-quality photos in low-light conditions.
There is never enough storage space
Do you find yourself constantly deleting photos and uninstalling apps due to full storage space? The most effective solution is to save your photos to a cloud service like Google Drive or iCloud and minimize app usage. Older phones typically offer only 4 to 8GB of memory, which falls short given the demands of today’s apps, particularly if you aim to store photos on your device.