How often do you upgrade your phone? Two years? One year? So many people upgrade their phones before it's actually necessary. The Google Pixel 8 just launched, and Google made a big show about the seven years of software support those phones will receive. One of the most common responses was "how long will someone actually use the phone for?" I'll try to tell you how long you should keep your phone and other tech (spoiler alert, it isn't seven years).
Phones
Every company handles updates and support differently. Released in August 2017, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 got a mind-blowing one year of feature updates. The newest current software version is OneUI 1, or Android 9, released in 2018. The iPhone X, released the same year as the Note8, got updates for five years all the way until 2022. Apple had a huge lead in the software support game up until a few years ago, as Samsung and now Google are promising at least five years of updates on their flagship phones.
Now, software updates aren't much of a roadblock. Any non-budget phone you buy nowadays should be guaranteed to get updates for at least five years. Even though support periods are longer now, battery degredation is still a massive issue. Phone batteries (and any lithium-iron battery) degrade over time, losing some of their capacity. Most phone batteries can only retain usable capacity for roughly three years, and after that there isn't much to do. You can't just pop the back off of your phone. They aren't user-replaceable anymore, which means you have to pay a lot to repair an already-aging phone.
Disregarding aging batteries, think about a phone this way. When Steve Jobs announced the iPhone in 2007, it was described as three things. A phone, a revolutionary internet communicator, and an iPod (basically a media player). Notice how camera wasn't mentioned. If your phone can do all of those things how you need it to, it's usable. Even if you can't access modern social media apps, that's a good thing. Only using social media on a computer reduces addiction dramatically. If you really want a camera... just buy one! Inexpensive cameras can be on par with even the best phone cameras nowadays. Frankly, an iPhone 5 could be a perfectly usable phone nowadays. It can still communicate with people, and play media. That's really all a phone should be, right? Keep your phone until there's a reason that your current phone doesn't do something it has to, such as being broken or having a bad battery.
Bonus: Smartwatches
The Apple Watch is certainly not a device that you need to upgrade frequently. Year over year updates are usually minor, and the bigger changes lie in the software. An Apple Watch Series 7 is nearly identical to a Series 9. You just don't need to upgrade. Android smartwatches can be a different story (WearOS, Tizen, I'm not even sure anymore) since they don't get long lasting updates. But that's okay.
At it's core, a smartwatch only needs to do three things. Track steps and workouts, show notifications, and obviously tell the time. If it can do all of that, you're fine. There are very few cases in which you have to buy a new Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch for new software features specifically. Apple Watches don't lose compatibility, too, so even a first generation Watch can pair just fine to an iPhone 15.
Once again, battery degradation can be a factor for needing a new smartwatch. If it had short battery life to begin with, a weakened battery can make it nearly unusable if it'll die during the day. The only difference here is that it's generally not possible to replace a smartwatch battery without it either costing an arm and a leg or the watch breaking. Speaking of, it's a lot easier to damage a smartwatch than a phone. If your watch is smashed, it might be time for a new watch.
If you're feeling bored of your aging Apple Watch, you don't need a new smartwatch just yet. Something simple that can go a long way is buying a new watch band. They're not nearly as expensive as a new watch, and can make it look brand new. Any Apple Watch can use any band as long as it's a matching size. Pro tip: TJ Maxx commonly has official Apple Watch bands for around $15. They usually only have 40mm bands, though, but sometimes there are other official Apple accessories. Galaxy Watches use standard watch bands, so take your pick on Amazon. There's no limit on how long to keep any smartwatch, since they generally pair to modern phones for a while and don't have as many new features. An Apple Watch Series 4 is still a great smartwatch in 2023.
Final Take
In the end, there's no reason to upgrade your tech every couple years. Phones and Smartwatches last way longer than most people think. Even though new processors and cameras might seem appealing, there mostly isn't a reason to upgrade unless your phone is broken. There are some edge cases, such as needing the camera for work or something (DankPods knows this) or needing to review phones every year. Otherwise, though, keep your phone or watch until it's broken.
