Smartphones aren’t built to last forever, but their decline is rarely dramatic. More often, performance gradually slows and software support slips away until everyday tasks feel harder than they should. That’s exactly what happened to my iPhone last year, eventually forcing me to upgrade. Even though it still looked brand new, the obsolete tech couldn’t handle the latest software update required for many of the apps I used daily.
I have a fairly high tolerance for an aging phone, but others may prefer to upgrade more frequently. With new models costing around $1,000, knowing when a device is truly obsolete (not just slightly outdated) can help you decide whether to hold on or upgrade to a new phone.
“We encourage our customers to ask themselves: What features do you really need from a new phone? Can you hold on one year longer?” Elizabeth Chamberlain of phone repair site iFixit says.
Ahead, we break down how long modern phones actually last and how to tell when yours is truly obsolete.
What Does “Obsolete” Actually Mean?
A truly obsolete device no longer allows you to perform basic daily functions on your phone. This is most often due to software issues, but can also be caused by hardware-based problems. Obsolete phones no longer run software updates, fully use current cellular networks or fail to support app activity. They might also have broken buttons, faulty charging ports and storage limitations.
While hardware issues can render a phone obsolete, it’s important to note that a failing battery alone does not. “If you can change out your battery, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get another year or three of life out of your phone,” Chamberlain says.
Signs Your Phone Might Be Obsolete
A newly released version of your phone does not make yours obsolete. Look for these signs:
- Sluggish performance: Slow downloads or delays when switching screens or typing.
- Frequent crashes and random restarts: My kids used my old iPhones for talking and texting until the devices began randomly restarting, shutting off, or freezing. They successfully campaigned for new phones — and they were right.
- Unable to support software updates: “The more common kind of obsolescence is in software,” Chamberlain says. Older phones may no longer handle the higher demands of newer software, becoming unable to complete updates.
- Full storage: Constantly deleting photos, videos and apps signals the phone is nearing the end of its useful life.
- Network incompatibility: Phones that can no longer make calls or access cellular data due to network incompatibility are effectively obsolete. “When 2G and 3G were shut down in 2022 in the US, for instance, any phones without 4G or better capability became obsolete,” Chamberlain says.
Are Obsolete Phones Less Secure?
“If a manufacturer has stopped supporting the software, yes,” Chamberlain says. “When the manufacturer stops supporting their hardware with software updates, it can become vulnerable to hacking. If you use your device for anything beyond texting and calling, using an unsupported device is risky.”
When It’s Time to Replace Your Phone
This depends on your risk tolerance, usage and performance needs. You can keep using a phone after software updates stop, but it becomes riskier. If you only call and text, you may be able to use it for years after updates end. But if you use apps, it’s usually time to upgrade once software support ends. That takes between two and seven years, depending on the manufacturer.
If you require faster performance or updated app capabilities, replace your phone as soon as it can no longer keep up with your daily needs.
How Long Do Smartphones Last?
A typical smartphone’s usable life is around five years, but there are important caveats. If you primarily use your phone for talk and text, “with battery replacements, there’s no reason a phone couldn’t last ten years,” Chamberlain says, but this is an outlier. Most smartphones last three to seven years with typical use, but heavy users of gaming sites, apps or streaming may feel their phone worn out in as little as two years.
Regardless of usage, most consumers replace phones every two to three years, often due to software demands, carrier promotions or new features. “Not everyone’s ready to keep the same phone for ten years, [but] most people get rid of their phones long before they’re truly obsolete,” Chamberlain says.
How to Responsibly Recycle or Dispose of an Obsolete Phone
If your phone is completely unusable, recycle it at a carrier drop-off center or local e-waste collection event. If it still works, consider donating it to a charity that provides devices to people in need.
FAQ
Are companies intentionally making products obsolete?
According to Chamberlain, this is unlikely. “I don’t think there’s some secret cabal of people at smartphone companies that is plotting to make their devices prematurely obsolete,” she says. However, there are documented instances of manufacturers deliberately slowing down older phones, claiming the intent is to extend battery life.
How can I avoid buying something that becomes obsolete too quickly?
Buy a brand-new phone or the most recent second-hand model you can afford from a major carrier with a long software support span.
About the Expert
- Elizabeth Chamberlain is the Director of Sustainability at iFixit, the largest online repair resource devoted to helping people repair their devices and extend the lifespan of their phones.
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