30 Jan 2022 5 min read mobile

How long should you keep a phone?

The short answer: 3-5 years is realistic for most people. Your phone will almost certainly outlive the manufacturer's support promise.

Photo by Eirik Solheim / Unsplash

Phone makers and carriers would prefer you upgrade every two years, but you don't have to play their game. Most modern handsets can serve you well for much longer, and keeping your phone longer saves money and reduces electronic waste.

Replace your phone when:

Battery life becomes unworkable – You can't get through a typical day without recharging
Security updates end – Your phone no longer receives security patches (though this timeline varies dramatically by brand)
Performance degrades significantly – Apps crash frequently or everyday tasks feel frustratingly slow
Physical damage makes it unreliable – Cracked screens, water damage, or hardware failures that cost more to repair than the phone's remaining value
You genuinely need a new feature – Not just want, but actually need for work or essential tasks

If none of these apply, you can probably hang on to your current phone for now.

How long do different phones last?

iPhones: Five to seven years of support

Apple provides longest support than other phone makers. The iPhone 6s, released in 2015, received iOS 15 in 2021 – that's over six years of updates. Current models can expect similar or better treatment.

In 2025, Apple still supports phones back to the iPhone XR from 2018. If you buy an iPhone today, you can reasonably expect security updates until at least 2030.

Battery consideration: iPhone batteries typically need replacement after three to four years of heavy use. Apple charges around NZ$150-200 for official battery replacement, which is far cheaper than a new phone and can extend your device's life by several more years.

Android: three to seven years depending on manufacturer

The Android landscape has improved dramatically since 2022. Here's what major manufacturers now offer:

Google Pixel 8 and newer (2023+): Seven years of OS and security updates – matching Apple's longevity. Note: Pixels aren't officially sold in New Zealand, though parallel importers stock them. This can complicate warranty claims.

Samsung flagship models (S24, newer foldables): Seven years of updates for premium devices, four to five years for mid-range models. Samsung has strong official presence in NZ.

OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo: Typically three to four years of updates for flagship models. OnePlus and Xiaomi aren't officially available in NZ; Oppo is.

Motorola: Three OS updates and four years of security patches for most models (Razr, Edge series). A handful of newer models get five years (Edge 50 Neo, Edge 60 Neo), but their update policy is inconsistent.

Budget brands: Often two to three years maximum, sometimes less.

Consumer Guarantees Act protection: New Zealand phone buyers have statutory rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act that extend beyond manufacturer warranties. Phones must be of acceptable quality and last a reasonable time based on their price and how they're marketed. This typically means at least three to four years for mid-range and premium phones, regardless of manufacturer support claims. However, manufacturer software support generally lasts longer than CGA requirements.

The gap between iPhone and Android longevity has narrowed significantly for flagship models, but only if you choose the right manufacturer. In New Zealand, Samsung offers the best combination of long update support and official local presence. Budget Android phones still have considerably shorter support windows.

What wears out first?

People think nothing of keeping PCs and laptops for five to seven years, yet we're conditioned to see phones differently.

Battery (typically last three-to-four years)

Batteries degrade with charge cycles. After about 500-1000 full charge cycles, they hold significantly less charge than when new. For most people, this means three-to-four years.

Fix: Battery replacement costs NZ$100-250 depending on the phone and who does the work. This is almost always cheaper than buying a new phone and will breath new life into your handset.

Screen (varies widely)

Modern OLED and LCD screens can last five to ten years if you avoid physical damage. Screen burn-in can occur on OLED displays with heavy use of static elements, but this is increasingly rare with modern technology.

Physical wear

Phones get dropped, scratched and exposed to moisture. Physical durability varies by model, but with a decent case and screen protector, most phones survive normal use for 5+ years.

The limiting factor is usually software support, not hardware failure.

Sustainability

Electronic waste is a growing environmental problem. The longer you keep your phone, the smaller your environmental footprint:

Manufacturing a new phone generates approximately 80-95kg of CO2
Mining rare earth materials damages ecosystems
Only about 20% of phones are properly recycled globally

In 2026, keeping your phone longer is both economically sensible and environmentally responsible. The cost-of-living crisis has made many people reconsider unnecessary upgrades.

When upgrading make sense

Genuine feature needs

It's easy to get carried away with flashy gimmicks, but sometimes a new phone model offers something genuinely valuable:

Dramatically better cameras for professional or serious hobby photography
5G support if you're in an area with good coverage and your plan supports it
Better water resistance if your work or lifestyle demands it
Accessibility features that significantly improve your quality of life

Security concerns

If your phone no longer receives security updates and you use it for banking, work email, or store sensitive data, the risk may outweigh the cost of upgrading. However, you can mitigate this by:

Avoiding public WiFi—data plans are cheaper these days making it easier to avoid unsecured WiFi networks
Using a VPN can help
Being cautious about app permissions
Not storing sensitive data on the device
Using web-based services instead of apps when possible

Avoiding the upgrade treadmill

Phone launches have become like fashion shows, they are designed to make you feel your current device is outdated. In reality, year-over-year improvements are incremental:

Slightly better cameras (usually not transformative unless you're several generations behind). In reality, year-over-year improvements are incremental. Phone makers now emphasise cameras and cosmetic design changes over meaningful innovation.
Faster processors (rarely noticeable in everyday use)
Design tweaks (purely aesthetic)
AI features (genuinely new in 2024-2025, but evaluate if you actually need them)

Ask yourself: "What will this new phone let me do that I can't do now?" If the answer is "nothing important," keep your current phone.

New Zealand context

New Zealand's Inland Revenue Department depreciates phones at 67 percent annually, implying a life expectancy of under two years for tax purposes. This doesn't reflect actual phone longevity – it's an accounting convention that benefits businesses claiming deductions.

Two-year carrier contracts are less common than they were five years ago. You're not obligated to upgrade when a contract ends. Many New Zealanders now buy phones outright or use interest-free payment plans, which removes the artificial pressure to upgrade on a carrier's schedule.

Practical recommendations

For iPhone users: Plan on 5-6 years minimum. Budget for a battery replacement around year 3-4.

For Android users (flagship): With Google Pixel 8+ or Samsung S24+, you can now plan for 5-7 years. For other brands, check the specific update policy before buying.

For Android users (budget): Expect 2-3 years of support. If longevity matters to you, spend more upfront on a phone with better support.

For heavy users: Consider battery health as your primary replacement trigger. Everything else can usually be worked around.

For people who are hard on phones: Either buy rugged models or accept shorter replacement cycles (2-3 years). Cheaper mid-range phones might make more financial sense than repeatedly breaking expensive flagships.