Should I Upgrade My Phone?

A phone is an essential part of everyday life. But they can be expensive and knowing when to upgrade can be tough. In this article, Canstar Blue provides a guide to buying a new phone.

Should I buy a new phone?

Before you buy a new phone, it’s always sensible to ask yourself if you really need to upgrade. If your phone is in perfect working condition, you could save money by holding off on your upgrade. However, if your phone is damaged, or its performance is affected due to its age, then it could be time to upgrade.

When is the best time to buy a new phone?

If you want the most up-to-date model of a phone, then the best time to buy is soon after its release, before it becomes superseded by a newer model.

And, if you’re looking for the best price, making your purchase during a sale, such as Black Friday or the Boxing Day sales, could be a good idea.

Buying a new phone either side of the launch of a new model is also a good option. In the weeks before and after the release of a new phone, manufacturers often reduce the price of their existing handsets. And both Apple and Samsung release their flagship phones around the same time each year.

When is the best time to buy an iPhone?

The last four months of the year (September to December) are the best time to buy an iPhone. Apple reveals its new range of iPhones during that time, and prices for older model iPhones usually drop as the new models are released. iPhones don’t typically go on sale often, so it’s good to save some money when you can.

When is the best time to buy a Samsung Galaxy?

Typically, Samsung releases its Galaxy S series phones during January and February, and models of its A Series phones in March and April. As these phones are released, the prices of older model phones drop.

Unlike Apple, Samsung often runs sales across its phone range. These discounts are usually passed on to telcos, so keep an eye out for offers if you’re considering a Samsung phone.

How long should a phone last?

A smartphone should last between three and five years. It might last longer, but you may notice a decline in its performance, for example its battery drains quickly. And be aware that an old phone will likely not receive security and software updates from its manufacturer.

Samsung’s flagship S24 models now come with seven years of security updates, along with seven generations of Android upgrades. Other Samsung models offer at least four years of security updates and three years of Android updates.

As for Apple, last September it released the latest version of its iPhone operating system, iOS 17. Currently, the iPhone XS, released in September 2018, is the oldest iPhone model officially capable of running iOS 17. Using this as a rule of thumb means that you can expect at least five to six years of support for an iPhone.

Do I need a new phone?

If your smartphone is old, has glitches, a poor battery life, a cracked screen or just isn’t very reliable, it could be worthwhile shopping around for a new handset.

Signs it’s time for a new phone

• You’re no longer getting updates: If you’re no longer getting security patches or operating system updates (such as iOS or AndroidOS updates) it’s a sign that your phone is old, and might be easily compromised by malware.
• Your phone is super slow: If basic things like swiping between screens and scrolling on social media are a hard task for your phone, it’s time to think about an upgrade.
• Your phone battery isn’t lasting long: If your phone’s battery life is getting shorter, consider replacing the battery or the phone itself.
• Apps are crashing often: If apps are crashing, it’s a sign that your phone is lagging behind, and might not be able to process up-to-date applications.
• Physical damage: If your phone is badly scratched, or if the screen is covered in cracks, it could be worth considering a new phone, rather than repairing the device.

Should I buy a phone outright or on a plan?

Depending on your financial situation, current telco deals, or simply how you want to approach your phone payment, you could be satisfied with buying your phone outright or getting it on a plan. Here’s a quick comparison between the two options.

What should I do with my old phone?

Just because you buy a new phone, doesn’t mean your old phone is suddenly useless (or worthless!). Up to 80% of phone parts are recyclable, so don’t let your old phone sit idle in a drawer! There are plenty of things you can do with an old phone, including:

• Sell it (or give it) to a phone refurbishing company
• Sell it (or give it) to someone else, such as one of your kids or friends
• Find a new use for it, for example, to control your smart home, or as a back-up phone

What is a phone without a phone plan? Nada! But don’t worry, Canstar is at hand with research into customer satisfaction and value for money covering all the major phone providers. For our latest award and ratings, just hit the button below.

Compare mobile phone providers for free with Canstar!

About the editor of this page

This report was written by Canstar’s Editor, Bruce Pitchers. Bruce has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in the UK and Australasia, including ACP, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. Prior to Canstar, he worked as a freelancer, including for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority, and for real estate companies on both sides of the Tasman.