Familiarity = attachment
My five-year-old device still snaps incredible pictures, can run modern apps and services, and connects me with the outside world.
If it still works, why upgrade it?
A recent feature by my colleague Ryan Haines detailed why obsessively upgrading your device doesn’t make financial or environmental sense unless you can find value in the new AI world order or desperately want a specific innovation. I wholeheartedly agree. Smartphone makers have to balance familiarity with innovation, but considering smartphone capabilities have plateaued in recent years, there is no urgent rush to upgrade or get left behind.
How often do you upgrade your phone?
17736 votes
My five-year-old device still snaps incredible pictures, can run modern apps and services, and connects me with the outside world. Yes, AI features are pretty nifty, and 5G would be nice, but I’ve not yet felt I’m being left behind without them. Even so, I still have access to tools like ChatGPT and Gemini on my home screen and Google’s Magic Editor via the Photos app. I also spend most of my time on Wi-Fi. A new smartphone won’t fundamentally change my palm computing experience.
You could argue that my reluctance to upgrade is a case of decision inertia, and perhaps it is. But isn’t it sensible to stick with what you know if it continues to satisfy your current needs?
Yes, eventually, I’ll have to upgrade
I understand the pitfalls of using an unsupported phone in 2024, even more so a HUAWEI device. The P30 Pro hasn’t received a security update in over a year, leaving my Android 10 (!) build vulnerable. The phone is also showing its physical age. The battery life isn’t what it used to be, the screen has minor signs of burn-in and a few stuck pixels, and the 60Hz refresh rate makes the chipset feel even more dated. Considering how many times I’ve dropped it, it’s amazing that everything still works.
I know that I’ll have to upgrade sooner rather than later and that my beloved device will be relegated to a test bed, a glorified YouTube player, or a member of that kitchen drawer I never open. That’ll be a sad day, but at least I have plenty of upgrade options when the time comes.
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