Smartphones don’t last forever, although they have become a necessary tool for our daily lives. Even the best phones eventually develop issues before they break, forcing you to look for a replacement. Have you ever considered the lifespan of your smartphone?

This article will discuss the typical lifespan of smartphones, factors that shorten them, and strategies for extending them.

How long does a mobile device typically last?

Regarding the typical lifespan of a mobile device, there is still a lot of disagreement.

According to several sources, smartphones currently have an average lifespan of 2.5 years. For newer generation devices, other sources assert that it may be closer to 15–18 months.

However, a much clearer picture emerges when we divide the life expectancy based on the brand. We observe longer product lifespans for the more prominent brands. Compared to smaller brands, smartphones from Samsung and the iPhone last much longer.

The average mobile life for various brands is broken down as follows:

• Four to eight years for iPhone
• Three to six years for Samsung
• Two to four years for Huawei
• Two to four years for Xiaomi
• Two to three years for Oppo

Even though smartphones have such a short lifespan, they can last even longer with proper maintenance. If handled gently, some devices can even last up to five years.

However, you might start to notice a decline at about three years. Your hardware typically becomes dated at this point because software developers have yet to release any new operating system updates. You’ll notice that your phone has trouble installing new applications when this occurs.

You may also notice that your device’s battery lasts less time than it did at this point. People start considering replacing their devices when the battery life deteriorates and they need help adding new apps.

Factors that affect the lifespan of your smartphone

Several different factors influence the typical lifespan of smartphones. Here are a few factors that will affect how long your device lasts.

Damage

One of the main reasons a smartphone does not last as long as expected is damage. While cracks can be repaired, the cost is often so high that purchasing a new device is preferable.

If you provide phones to employees, you should consider phone rental options, including device repairs and replacements. Accidents happen and paying to replace, or repair phones can quickly eat into a company’s budget.

If you borrow or lease a smartphone, you will be responsible for any repairs if the device breaks. If the device cannot be repaired, you must still honor your contract while receiving a new smartphone.

Battery Health 

Batteries can significantly impact the lifespan of your smartphone. The used batteries can only be charged so many times before losing their effectiveness. Every battery typically has 500 to 800 cycle charges.

Your device’s lifespan will probably be shorter if you charge it frequently than if you only do so every two days. Replaceable batteries are no longer a feature of modern technology. You can either take the risk of replacing your batteries manually, which requires some skill, or you can pay someone to do it for you but doing so can be quite expensive. Often, purchasing a new device is more cost-effective.

Heat is also highly damaging to batteries. When devices heat up when placed in a hot environment, such as direct sunlight, the batteries have to work harder, resulting in shorter battery life. 

Outdated Operating System 

The operating system of your device is linked to its hardware. Your hardware will eventually become obsolete to the point where it cannot run new system updates.

Android developers typically stop releasing system updates for these devices at this point. However, manufacturers with a sizable portfolio frequently favor the updated premium and middle-class models. Entry-level phones are frequently ignored and eventually stop being supported.

System and security updates for most iPhone models typically last five to seven years after release. Android devices only get these updates for two to three years after their release, which is a much shorter time frame. Therefore, life expectancy will already be shorter if you purchase an older model or a user device.

How to increase the lifespan of your smartphone

You can extend the life of your device to get the most use out of it before having to replace it. Here are a few tips to extend the battery life of your smartphone.

Keep your phone’s charge at 20% to 80%.

The battery is more stressed when your device is fully charged than when it is only 80%. Additionally, because there are only so many complete charge cycles available, you should only use them occasionally. The same holds if you let your battery completely discharge before recharging. Therefore, keeping your charge between 20% and 80% is a wise idea.

Use a Screen Protector

One simplest and least expensive way to safeguard your device’s screen and increase its lifespan is with screen protectors. Even though many different screen protectors are available, we can assure you that using them will be less expensive than having your device replaced or repaired if your screen breaks.

Buy a Durable Phone Case

Similar to screen protectors, phone cases are a great way to safeguard your device in the event of an unintentional drop. Again, there are numerous varieties of phone cases that range in strength and level of protection. You can purchase a specialized case to shield the gadget from severe damage. These are perfect if you work in physically demanding industries like construction or other jobs where damage can happen more frequently. There are also more protective slimline cases available if you work in an office or gently handle your device and find these cases too bulky.

Get Rid of Unused Applications

We rarely use the apps that the majority of us own. The issue with this is that those apps might keep running in the background, taxing your hardware and battery life. As a result, it’s a good idea to regularly review your apps and remove any that you aren’t using.

Conclusion 

The average lifespan of a cell phone may be shorter than we would like it to be, but with the proper care and maintenance, the lifespan of your smartphone can be extended. You could extend the lifespan to three or even up to five years by paying close attention to your battery, how often you change your device, and making sure it’s updated frequently with no unnecessary apps running in the background. 

Purchasing used phones from Phone Daddy may be the best option for you if you’re considering updating your smartphones but are worried about the cost of purchasing.