How Often Should You Update Your Phone?

With the release of the iPhone 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, we wondered: Is our 'new phone thirst' out of control?

It’s great to have a new phone. That unscratched screen. That perfect packaging. Those untangled cords.

Plus, having the newest, latest thing is a fantastic feeling. Whipping out your new iPhone in public makes you feel like a king. But, is it worth it?

People spend thousands of dollars each year on phones, especially when you include plans, upgrades, accessories and so on. We use them all the time, so it seems only logical. We can do almost anything from our phones these days, so spending larger sums on computers feels less necessary. All you have to do is look around you to see people are on their phones everywhere and all the time.

Companies like Apple and Samsung have their eyes on this market and are taking advantage of people’s willingness to fork out for the shiniest models. But despite the above arguments, are we actually wasting our money on regular updates?

As technology advances, upgrading is necessary. But how often should we upgrade? Although lots of us love the latest and greatest items, some more economical people prefer running a phone into the ground before purchasing an upgraded model. This method can be cost effective - but you have to be prepared to lose value on resale. As every new model is released, the older models devalue in price. If you intend on doing what most people do and sell your old phone, you need to take this into account.

How often you upgrade will influence the amount you get in return for your phone. It also can mean (depending on how long you can keep a phone alive and functioning) that you might not keep up with the same technologies as everyone else. This only really comes into play if you’re one of those people still with a Nokia 220 though!

In terms of keeping up with technology, the little changes from model to model vary in significance. There may be minor fixes and advancements, or maybe the screen size will change, but otherwise, it’s unlikely you will be left too far behind. Constant OS upgrades will at least keep you well and truly up to speed with everyone else.

My recommendation? You should upgrade every three years. Not only is this a more cost effective approach, it also keeps you (mostly) up to date, without truly falling behind. At the end of the day who needs a new phone every year? Seriously? Look after your phone, and you might start to appreciate your other possessions more too.

Congratulations to Toneya for winning this writing challenge, answering: Should I Update My Phone? Toneya wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!

Photo: iStock.