Technology Desk: Today the smartphone is no longer just a means of making calls and messages. Many important things like banking, online shopping, studies, work, social media and entertainment are now done through phones only. In such a situation, the decision to change the phone should be taken thoughtfully. The arrival of a new model in the market does not mean that your existing phone is worth replacing immediately.
If the smartphone is in good condition and working properly, it can be used for many years. However, with time some parts of the phone start malfunctioning. The battery capacity may reduce, the screen may break or the internal parts may get damaged due to the phone being dropped. Many such problems can be fixed by repairing the phone instead of buying a new one.
If the battery is draining quickly, do not change the phone immediately.
The most common problem in old smartphones is battery. After using it for some time, the battery is no longer able to hold charge as before. The phone starts discharging faster than before and has to be charged again and again.
In such a situation it is not necessary to replace the entire phone. If the rest of the phone is working fine, the battery may be replaced. After installing a new battery, the phone can be used again for a long time. Similarly, if the phone's screen is broken, charging port is faulty or there is a problem with any other part, it may be better to look at the repair option first.
If the phone falls, its internal parts may get damaged.
After a smartphone falls, not every damage is visible from outside. Many times there are not many marks on the screen or body of the phone, but due to falling, some part inside may get damaged.
Such phones may later face problems like sudden hanging, camera failure, network problems or charging related problems. If the phone continues to behave abnormally after being dropped, it may be useful to have it checked at a service center.
Stopping of security updates is the most important sign.
The biggest concern about old smartphones is not just the hardware. The phone contains banking apps, emails, personal photos, chats and other important information. Therefore it is important for the phone to remain safe.
Companies do not provide operating system and security updates to every smartphone model forever. Updates may stop for a model after a few years. In such a situation, even if the phone is working normally, it may not be as reliable as before in terms of security. If your phone is not receiving security updates for a long time and the company has ended support for that model, then replacement of the phone can be considered.
Getting parts for old phones can also be difficult
As the smartphone gets older, another problem related to its repair may arise. As time passes, batteries, screens and other replacement parts for older models may become less available in the market.
If a part needs to be replaced and is not readily available, the repair can be costly. Sometimes the cost of repairing an old model can be more than the price of a new and better phone. In such a situation, buying a new smartphone can be a more practical option.
There is no fixed expiry date for the phone
There is no fixed expiry date of a smartphone, after which it is necessary to stop using it. How many years the phone will last depends on its quality, usage, battery condition, hardware and software support.
If the phone is running smoothly, the battery is working as expected and it is getting regular security updates, then there is no need to replace the phone just because a new model comes in the market.
At the same time, if the phone's battery has become weak but can be replaced, the screen is broken but repair is possible or any other part is damaged which can be easily replaced, then the repair option can be considered before buying a new phone.
When to seriously consider changing phones?
While deciding to change the phone, special attention should be paid to some things. If the phone has stopped receiving security updates, important apps are not working properly on new software versions or the phone is repeatedly hanging and crashing, then the need to get a new phone may increase.
Apart from this, if changing the battery, repairing the screen or changing other parts is very expensive and the parts of the old phone are also not easily available, then replacing the phone can be a better option instead of repairing.
In this way, instead of the age of the phone, a decision can be taken by looking at its current condition, software support, security, cost of repair and its reliability in everyday use.