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How Long Can a Smartphone Really Last?

October 1, 2023

Smartphones are amazing devices – they’re sleek, stylish, and can do practically everything. But, like anything else, smartphones have their limits.

In this article, we’re going to discuss how long a smartphone lasts. We’ll cover the various factors that can affect a smartphone’s lifespan and give you tips on how to extend the life of the phone.

Therefore, continue reading to learn more if you want to save money or just want your phone to last longer.

How Long Can a Smartphone Last?

Which brand of smartphone has the longest lifespan?

Brands	Durability
iPhone	4 to 8 Years
Samsung	3 to 6 Years
Huawei	2 to 4 Years
Xiaomi	2 to 4 Years
Oppo	2 to 3 Years
Vivo	2 to 3 Years

iPhones

Apple phones are some of the most durable phones on the market today, so if you take care of them well enough, they might last up to 10 years! However, it all depends on how old your phone is when you purchase it because, at some point, battery life will be too short, and hardware may be insufficient for everyday tasks.

So realistically, within about 4-5 years, you would want to change your iPhone due to insufficient memory and hardware, which leads to lag & other problems like battery life.

Durability: four to eight years

Samsung

Samsung lifespan Samsung phones are well known for their durability, lasting users on average 3-6 years before needing to be replaced.

The battery, outdated ports, and outdated operating systems are the most frequent causes for replacing a Samsung phone. If you take care of your Samsung phone, you should be able to use it for 4-5 years in general, although you may need to buy a few little replacements along the way.

Durability: three to five years

Huawei

Huawei phones have been known to have issues related to battery life over time. The batteries on Huawei phones deteriorate quickly within just 2-4 years, which leads to lower battery life than most other smartphones on the market.

Many other smartphones also tend to have these issues after being used for a couple of years. Huawei phones have an average lifespan of up to 3-4 years before needing replacement.

Durability: two to four years

Xiaomi

Xiaomi phones are popular among many due to their cheap pricing without compromising on quality. Xiaomi smartphones have decent lifespans, with some claiming they can last up to 7 years.

However, most reports suggest 2-4 years being its lifespan before users start facing issues such as touchscreen getting stuck, etc., which require them to get it repaired.

Durability: two to four years

Oppo

According to the consensus among users, Oppo phones have an average lifespan of 2-3 years.

This means that even if you do happen to purchase one when it first comes out, you won’t need another phone for at least two years, and then it’ll be time for a new model anyway! Oppo offers many different models, so there’s sure to be one that suits your needs.

Durability: two to three years

VIVO

VIVO smartphones come with up to three versions of Android software updates over their lifespan. This means VIVO smartphones get security updates for up to three years after the release date.

Durability: two to three years

What Affects Your Phone’s Lifespan?

Phone health is important, and keeping your phone in optimal condition is important. Your phone needs to be able to fulfil its purpose, which is a tool for you to get things done—and it needs to last.

But what affects your phone’s lifespan?

There are a few things that most important affect your phone’s battery health, and they include:

1. Physical damage

One of the most common reasons a smartphone doesn’t last as long as its user expects is damage. A phone dropped, stepped on, or sat on–all of which can cause breakage.

In addition, phones are often exposed to elements like water and dirt, which can also lead to damage. While some damage can be repaired, such as a cracked screen, other damage, like water damage, can be much more difficult to fix.

It’s important to take care of your phone and to avoid exposing it to potential sources of damage. Keeping your phone safe and sound can help it last longer and continue to work as expected.

2. Getting wet

Dropping your phone in water is a surefire way to cause damage to it. Water can corrode metal parts, leading to rust and other problems.

If your phone is submerged in water for an extended period, this could also lead to problems with the battery, display, and other components.

3. Battery Health

Your battery health affects your phone’s length between charges and its overall performance. If your phone has a weak battery, it will take longer for your phone to charge and may even drain faster than usual. Also, make sure to clean the charging port frequently.

The best and best possible way to keep your battery healthy is by charging it regularly and keeping it charged when not in use. You should also avoid charging your device overnight if possible; doing so can shorten its lifespan.

4. Outdated Hardware

Smartphones have advanced significantly over the past decade, so it’s important to keep up with new releases if you want to maintain top performance.

Smartphone hardware will typically last for 3 years before requiring an upgrade due to slow app loading times and less responsive navigation. However, suppose you frequently play mobile games on your phone.

In that case, it is recommended that you replace your phone within 1-2 years of use, as newer games take advantage of new hardware capabilities that may render older phones unable to handle them properly. Additionally, some models may be unsupported by their manufacturer after 2 years of release, so apps will no longer work properly on them.

After all, those who only need a smartphone for basic tasks like calling and texting can expect their phone’s hardware to last indefinitely without needing replacement.

5. Outdated Operating System

As phones get older, their hardware becomes outdated and incapable of running newer operating systems without major issues. With newer operating systems come new security updates that protect against ever-evolving cyber threats like malware and ransomware, which could steal data on your phone or even lock it up permanently until you pay a ransom fee!

Most Android smartphones will receive new system and security updates for two to three years. Apple devices often have longer warranties, usually lasting 5-7 years.

How to extend the life of your mobile phone?

1. Keep your phone charged between 20%-80%

When it comes to your phone, you need to ensure that it’s charged up between 20%-80%. If you don’t do this, you will be left with a phone that is not working properly, which can lead to other problems.

The best way to ensure your phone is being charged correctly is by using a battery charger. This will ensure that your battery is being charged at the correct rate and will help reduce the time it takes to get back on track.

2. Use a screen protector

The use of a screen protector is among the most crucial things you can do. This will assist in preventing scuffs and other screen damage on your phone.

Even though many different screen protectors are available, we can tell you that using them will be less expensive than having your device replaced or repaired if your screen breaks.

Check a few of the best screen protectors for popular mobile phones below:

3. Purchase a durable phone case

Another way to keep your phone going as long as possible is by purchasing a durable case for it.

This will protect against any damage that may occur due to accidents or falls.

Popular Mobile Phone Cases:

Samsung Smartphone Cases

OnePlus Smartphone Cases

Xiaomi Smartphone Cases

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

LG Smartphone Cases

Google Smartphone Cases

Motorola Smartphone Cases

iPhone Cases

4. Get rid of less used apps

We rarely utilize the apps that the majority of us own. The issue with this is that those programs might keep operating in the background, taxing your hardware and battery life. The good idea is to eliminate any apps you don’t use frequently. These apps can take up valuable space on your phone and can also contribute to battery drain.

For example, You should also try and avoid using certain applications on your phone because they can cause problems if they are used regularly over time.

Such as Facebook or Twitter apps which can drain out battery life very quickly without any real benefit other than social networking activity.

5. Use Compatible Memory Card

Memory cards have different capacities, types, and lifespans. Using a compatible memory card with your mobile phone makes it last longer.

An incompatible memory card creates lots of problems like hanging devices or frequent errors, which results in a shorter lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do smartphones slow down as they are old?

Here are various factors that can contribute to the slowdown of smartphones over time. One common cause is accumulating unused apps and cached data in the memory, which can seriously impact performance.

Additionally, older versions of Android run more slowly than newer versions due to increased demands placed on the system by various applications and features. Finally, as your smartphone becomes overloaded, it begins to struggle with tasks that were once easily handled.

How long do cell phone batteries last?

Most cell phone batteries will last between 2-3 years, but some can last up to 5 or 6 years. Use an original charger made for your specific phone model to keep your battery fully charged and in good condition.

Also, turn off your phone when it’s not being used, so you don’t accidentally drain the battery.

Can power banks harm your phone battery?

There is no evidence that power banks harm your phone’s battery, but it is always recommended to use them sparingly. Using a power bank may not be necessary if you have a sufficient number of charge cycles left on your battery.

Additionally, unplug the charger from your device when it’s not in use to avoid overcharging and damaging your battery.

How to recycle or dispose of your old smartphone

When you’re ready to upgrade to a new smartphone, it’s important to recycle or dispose of your old one properly. Smartphones contain hazardous materials, so it’s important to dispose of them safely.

Here are a few things you can do:

Take your old smartphone to an electronics retailer or recycling centre. Many offer free or low-cost recycling programs.
Use a mail-back program to recycle your smartphone. Several companies offer this service.
Dispose of your smartphone properly in the trash. Do not throw it in the regular trash can. Instead, take it to a hazardous waste collection facility.

See: Average lifespan of wireless earbuds

Final Words

In the end, it all comes down to usage and maintenance. A smartphone with a regular battery backup can last you 4-5 years if you do not use it frequently. If you use it often, then you might have to consider looking for a new one after 2 years of its purchase.

You can also try apps that estimate your phone’s battery life based on your usage habits and other elements, such as the apps that are used the most frequently during the day.