5 Signs That You Need to Upgrade Your Mobile Phone
It’s fair to say that the Philippines is a country of gadget lovers—mobile phones, to be exact. Whenever there’s a newly released model, you can expect Filipinos to be talking about it. There are also those who replace their phones every year, sometimes even after just a few months, to make sure they can experience the best and latest technology.
Of course, this isn’t possible for a lot of people. As such, when people buy mobile phones in the Philippines, they do so after careful deliberation. In fact, some tend to hold on to their phones for three or even more years to make sure they get the most out of what they paid for. While this is definitely good practice (it’s more eco-friendly, for one), there are times when there’s no choice but to get a new one.
For those who are still debating whether to upgrade or not, here are some signs that your phone is due for a replacement:
It Doesn’t Have the Latest OS Updates
Depending on the phone model you have and when it was manufactured, it will usually be supported with about two years of OS updates. If your phone was made in 2020, you can expect it to receive major software updates until 2022. Some phone makers, however, tend to provide software updates for up to four years. Do note, as well, that flagship models are usually the priority when it comes to these updates.
Obviously, you can still use your phone even if it doesn’t have the latest iteration of the OS. The problem is that older versions aren’t given new security patches. Therefore, if you want to stay safe and protect your privacy, it’s ideal to replace your phone every 2 to 3 years.
It Has Poor Battery Life
A mobile phone should be, well, mobile. If you find yourself plugging in your device more often, perhaps it’s time for an upgrade. Of course, you also have to take into account the age of your phone. It’s normal for it to lose its capability to hold a charge after a year or so, simply because the chemical components inside it are naturally degrading.
You can, of course, replace just the battery and not the entire phone. Just make sure that you get legitimate ones so you can be assured of your phone’s quality. However, there are also times when replacing the battery can be more of a hassle than it’s worth; if your mobile phone is an old model, you might also find it difficult to find a replacement battery. Weigh your options so you can make the most value-for-money decision.
It Has Issues That Cannot Be Fixed or Are More Expensive to Fix
There are times when you can still use your phone just fine even if it’s damaged. For example, if the back cover is cracked, you can simply use a phone case to hide it or even purchase a new cover. However, there will be times when the damage isn’t fixable or more expensive to fix. This is often the case for broken screens or internal damage.
If this is the case for you, it will be more cost-effective for you to replace your phone rather than try to have it repaired.
It Has Slowed Down Considerably
There’s a thing called “performance decay” in mobile phones. Essentially, this is when your phone feels like it’s slowed down even if you aren’t using resource-heavy apps and games. Sometimes, this can be due to the accumulation of bloat files. These can be left in your phone after continuously installing and uninstalling apps.
Your phone can also slow down due to new apps and app updates. They’re often optimized for newer software and hardware, so they really won’t work that well with older models of phones. If, after cleaning up hidden files and optimizing apps, your phone is still slow, then it’s probably time to replace it.
It Can’t Run the Apps You Need (or Apps Frequently Crash)
Apps can crash from time to time, even on new phones. Usually, this is due to a bug or some other flaw in the code. On the other hand, apps can also crash because your phone can’t run them properly. As previously mentioned, most new apps and updates to old apps are designed to run on newer phones. Thus, there will really come a time that these apps will no longer work on your device.
If you’re noticing more frequent app crashes, run a diagnostic check on your phone. Maybe you have too many things saved. Try to delete some files or apps and see if that fixes things. If the app crashes continue even after the fixes, your phone might be telling you it wants to retire.
Once you finally get a phone upgrade, make sure to do it responsibly. Delete your files and restore the phone to factory settings, if you’re planning to sell it or give it away. If not, find a recycling center or an organization that can help you dispose of electronics the right way.
Happy phone shopping!