Similar to other things we own, we must upgrade to a brand new phone.
Whether we like it or not, we have to move on from our current phone to a new one to get a better experience. But budget is the usual problem. So, when is the time to upgrade? Below are the common signs you need to know.
1. Nothing New
When you get your new smartphone, you’re excited about the new stuff it has. But over time, the experience gets boring because there’s nothing fresh to try.
So, how do you get something fresh? Updates. Software updates usually bring improvements and new features that revives excitement.
If your handset is no longer getting any kind of update, it’s time to upgrade. Being behind security updates is also not recommended if your phone has financial apps.
2. Poor Battery Life
Whatever battery type it is, it will degrade over time. Batteries are consumables and you can only extend their lifespan with excellent care.
But most smartphones today have non-removable batteries and if your phone right now has been suffering from long charging and quick draining, perhaps it’s time to let go. The only alternative is to have the battery replaced.
Think carefully though. The cost of battery replacement is acceptable if it’s cheaper than the cost of your phone when you bought it. If not, just buy a new one. Not only will you get a fresh phone and battery, but also newer hardware parts.
3. Low Storage
Is the device notifying you of low storage? Is your phone’s memory stuck in 3+64GB? Consider buying a new model soon.
Most apps today require lots of resources to load and run smoothly. Social media apps, for instance, can eat up to 1GB of onboard storage. They can consume close to 1GB of RAM on average memory use.
Add 1GB of average memory use of one social media app to the 1.8GB average memory use of Android OS, we’ll get 2.8GB of average memory use. That will only leave 200MB out of the 3GB onboard RAM.
Although that’s not a perfect calculation because Android can manage itself, the acceptable memory for stable and smooth app operation these days is between 6 and 8GB. A 4GB RAM may work but don’t expect much.
Also, don’t believe the dynamic RAM expansion because it’s a placebo at most. If you resort to this option, expect the onboard storage to wear out faster.
“On Android, storage isn’t used for swap space like it is on other Linux implementations since frequent writing can cause wear on this memory, and shorten the life of the storage medium,” stated by Android Developer.
Buy a new phone with 6GB of RAM and 128GB onboard storage with a microSD card slot for a good balance between budget and investment.
4. Sluggish Performance
The chipset inside your phone plays a crucial role in performance. Combine a slow chipset and low memory, you’ll get up with a sluggish device and waste of money.
But should you buy a new phone to keep up? That depends on the tier of your current phone and your next purchase. The tier determines the device’s life cycle and an expensive price tag comes with better chipset, display, memory, storage, battery, and years of software updates.
Read on to know about smartphone tiers.
5 Network Problems
4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other wireless connectivity are powered by specific components inside your phone. They also age and no software update can upgrade their potential due to hardware limitations.
For instance, a brand confirms that its latest model supports up to Wi-Fi 5. It can only use that Wi-Fi bandwidth and won’t be able to maximize speeds of Wi-Fi 6 and 7 due to hardware limitations.
If your internet router at home is capable of Wi-Fi 6, consider it as a reason when looking for a new phone. If mobile data is getting sluggish no matter what you do, the related hardware part is likely aging and it’s a sign for you to upgrade to a new phone.
6. Entry-level Smartphones
At the bottom of the food chain are entry-level smartphones aka low-end or budget phones. Key indicators that a handset belongs to this tier include:
- 4G only
- 720p resolution
- 60 to 90Hz refresh rate
- 3 to 4GB RAM
- 32 to 64GB ROM
- 10W charging
- Price point: Up to PHP 7K
Despite their classification, budget phones have their purpose. You can use them as secondary drivers for mobile hotspotting, SMS and basic messaging platforms, and even AFK gaming.
Some entry-levels last longer than higher end models because their chipsets are weaker and have lower quality displays, contributing to less power consumption.
If you buy an entry-level smartphone, its life cycle is between two to three years due to limited software updates and low-end hardware.
7. Mid-range Models
Mid-range smartphones have better processing power than entry-levels. But some brands are changing the landscape of this tier, thanks to budget 5G models. Key indicators that a handset belongs to this tier include:
- 4.5G to 5G capable
- Wi-Fi 6 ready
- 1080p resolution
- 90 to 120Hz refresh rate
- 6 to 8GB RAM
- 128 to 256GB ROM
- 18W+ charging
- Price point: Between PHP 8K and 20K depending on the brand
They are very abundant in the market because many brands are introducing technologies commonly found on flagships, such as LTPO display, vapor cooling chambers, and flagship-like chipsets.
If you go for a mid-range smartphone, expect it to last between four and five years with TLC. After five years, the device will become an entry-level unit when compared to the latest releases.
8. Flagship Performers
Flagships are expensive and will definitely cut through your budget. But they have top-tier specs and features that won’t surrender to your demands. You can’t over-maximize a flagship based on what’s possible on a smartphone. Key indicators that a handset belongs to this tier include:
- 5G capable
- Wi-Fi 6 and 7 ready
- 1.5K or higher resolution
- 4K 60FPS+ video
- 120 to 144Hz refresh rate
- 12GB+ RAM
- 256GB to 1TB ROM
- 25W+ charging
- Shocking price of over PHP 25K
Flagship performers have their own mini tier. Those that fall between PHP 25K and 35K are the lower ones. The middle ones are between 36K and 60K while the alphas can reach more than 100K.
True gaming smartphones are flagships too except they are under a category of their own. Some of the reasons behind that logic include real bypass charging and overclocked CPU and GPU.
Flagship models often last up to 10 years and even then, they still can dish out solid performance that even newer mid-rangers can’t match. That’s because of high-class hardware.
So, which category does your current phone belong to?
