What The Tech: When is the best time to upgrade your I-Phone?
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter
We’ve reached a point in smartphone history where new isn’t always reason enough to upgrade. Recent phones are plenty good at photos, playing games, and even editing video. Still, many of us wonder if it’s time to trade in or renew a contract.
The first question: “Is it obsolete?”. If it’s older than an iPhone 11, then yes. Those models can’t run the latest iOS updates and are more vulnerable to bugs.
If it’s an iPhone 11 or newer, ask: Does it still work okay? Phones slow down with age. If your slags, back it up and restore it. Clear the cache, delete unused apps, and free up storage; that alone can bring new life to an older device.
Battery life is another clue. If your phone dies quickly, check the battery health in settings. If capacity is low, or you’ve passed about 600 charge cycles, it’s time for a new battery. They’re about 90-100 dollars, which is far cheaper than a new phone.
Cameras are a big reason to upgrade. If you’re holding onto a five or six-year-old phone, the difference in low-light performance alone is dramatic. Storage matters too. If you’re stuck with 64 gigabytes and constantly running out of room, today’s phones start at 128. Double the storage you have.
And finally, look at your carrier. New plans often come with upgrade deals that make a new phone more affordable.
If you answer yes to more than two of these issues, it’s probably time to upgrade. But if it still works and runs the latest operating system, holding on to it for another three to five years can save you hundreds of dollars
