Is It Time for an Upgrade?
Is your phone hanging by a thread, or is it still kicking like it’s brand new? From slow performance screens and bad battery health to reliable connectivity and good audio, the signs are usually pretty clear—you just need to know what to look for. So, before you splurge on a pricey upgrade (or keep pushing your old device past its limits), here are 10 signs your phone is on its last legs—and 10 signs it’s still going strong.
1. Battery Dies Quickly
Sure, if you're on your phone all day, it's probably impressive enough if it lasts on one charge alone, at least enough to get you to the evening. But if your device dies midday, not even hours after you last topped up the battery, then you might want to start looking for a new one.
2. It's Slow
How's the performance on your device? Does it lag, glitch, or take a long time to load certain things, like videos and apps? If so, that's another sign your phone is probably on its last legs and needs to be replaced soon, especially if it's ruining your productivity.
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3. Broken Screen
A broken or chipped screen protector might not be too much of a nuisance—you can just peel it and stick on a new one, after all. But your actual phone screen is broken, rendering the touch sensors unusable (i.e., it takes 10 swipes to get a response), that's a sign you should start looking for a new one.
4. Can't Hold a Charge
If it's not just that your phone's battery dies quickly, but that it can't hold a charge at all—meaning it goes from 100% to 20% soon after you unplug it—you should take that as a sign to look for a new phone. After all, you don't want to be lugging around a portable charger all day.
5. Randomly Shuts Down
Does your phone randomly shut down and reboot throughout the day, even when you're not doing anything intensive on it, like playing graphic-heavy games? If it regularly malfunctions, that's a telltale sign that your device is worn out and is ready to retire.
6. Full Storage
Sure, having a full storage alone doesn't mean your phone is on its last legs, but it does make it harder for you. Every time you take a photo or record a video, you'll need to delete old files before doing so, which may cause frustration. It doesn't help either that photos and videos take up a lot of memory.
7. Outdated Software
Is your phone still supported by the manufacturer, or is it no longer compatible with newer operating system updates? When your device is no longer supported by regular software updates, it may become vulnerable to security threats, so it's best to get a new phone instead of sticking with an old one.
8. Overheats Easily
If your phone overheats no matter what you do, whether it's simply checking the weather or starting a timer, that's another telltale sign you might want to get it replaced. If you let it be, constant overheating can lead to permanent damage and might even be a fire hazard.
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9. Camera Problems
Given that nearly everyone (except professional photographers) uses their phone to take photos, it's probably not a great idea to keep an old device around if it's constantly producing grainy or desaturated pictures. You don't want to document your trip to a bucket-list destination with an outdated phone camera, after all.
10. No One Can Understand You
If your friends and family are often complaining about how your voice sounds crackly over the phone, it might not be your service but your microphone. Internal damage (such as accidentally dunking your phone in water) can result in a not-so-great-sounding device, so if you suspect that's the reason, it might be time to look for a new one.
What, then, are some signs that your phone is still standing strong? Here are 10 things you'll want to look for:
1. Regular Updates
If your phone is still getting regular updates from the manufacturer, that's a good sign—it means that you won't have to rely on an old version of the operating system to keep it running. It also means your data will still be kept safe and secure, and won't be vulnerable to hacks or breaches.
2. Good Battery Health
You can typically check your battery health in the Settings app on your phone; if it states that your device is still in good condition, you're safe. As long as you maintain good habits (such as keeping your phone charged between 20-80%), you'll likely get a few more years out of it.
3. Responsive Screen
How responsive is your touchscreen? If it doesn't take you forever to swipe through apps, tap on buttons, or perform certain actions, that means you've kept it in good condition. Plus, even if the screen is cracked, your phone is still usable as long as everything still works.
4. Still Supported By the Manufacturer
If your phone manufacturer not only keeps your device included in regular software updates but also introduces new products, like earbuds and wireless charging pads, that can be used with it, that's another sign that you can probably keep it for a few more years. Congrats—your phone isn't deemed ancient just yet!
5. Sufficient Storage Space
Is your storage space still holding up, and taking a few more photos or videos won't make it send warning signals? If so, then you're probably good to keep your phone for a couple more years—or, at least, until the memory runs out.
6. Reliable Connectivity
How does connecting to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or mobile data fare for you? If you don't experience any disruptions or glitches, it's a good sign that your phone still has plenty of life left in it. Nothing is worse than a device that constantly drops signal when you need it the most, after all.
7. Audio Works Properly
If you can listen to music, watch videos, and make phone calls without the audio sounding strange, muted, or crackly, your phone is probably in good shape. On the other hand, if it sounds constantly muffled, like it's being held underwater, you might want to get it checked out—or replaced entirely.
8. Smooth Performance
Does your phone run smoothly no matter how many things you have open, or what type of apps you're using? Smooth performance is indicative of a phone that's still in good condition, so you can rest assured if this is your current experience with your device.
9. Quality Camera
Again, nobody wants a camera that takes grainy, desaturated, or blurry photos, especially in this era where our phones have practically replaced traditional cameras. So, if your device can still take excellent quality pictures, that's a good sign it's still worth holding onto.
10. Could Resell for a Good Price
If you were to resell your phone, would it still go for a good price? If yes, that means it's probably still considered fairly new and worth spending on. And if it still works completely fine for you, don't think about replacing it just yet!
