One might think that the consumer electronics industry is constantly evolving, leading to devices of higher quality and longer lifespans. However, this is not true, according to statistics. This article explores how long our smartphones actually last, what factors influence an average phone lifespan, and how we can prolong it.
What Is the Average Life of a Cell Phone: Statistics
According to Statista, the average lifespan of a smartphone in the US is around 2.5 years. While enterprises may hold onto their electronics a bit longer than individual consumers, the difference is minimal.
Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) shares more data on smartphone lifespan by brand. According to their research, people who use iPhones keep their devices longer: 61% of Apple smartphone users and 43% of Android users have owned their previous devices for two years or more.
Notably, 29% of iPhone users held onto their phones for more than three years, compared to 21% of Android users. Additionally, CIRP found that over a third of iPhone buyers (both those who previously used iPhones and Androids) have owned their devices for over three years, while fewer than a third have owned them for less than two years.
What Are the Main Reasons for Replacing a Smartphone?
According to Joint Research Centre (JRC) research, aesthetic obsolescence is the primary (47%) reason to upgrade a device. Trends in the industry are evolving quickly, causing devices to go out of style.
The second most common (40%) reason to change a smartphone to the newer option is technical obsolescence. These devices don't fit consumer needs due to poor performance or breakages. Although some of them are too old to be repaired, the lifespan of the majority of these devices can be prolonged.
The least widespread (13%) reason is functional obsolescence. Usually, that happens with very old smartphone models that are incompatible with the latest updates of operating systems or apps—for example, Apple maintains a list of obsolete and vintage smartphones that tracks such models.
What Factors Influence the Phone Lifespan?
The statistics we have discussed above apply to phone lifespans in general. However, the working life of each individual device is affected by numerous factors. Let's discuss the most common causes of shortening the lifespan of a smartphone.
Battery
Battery health has a significant impact on device performance, and it can be damaged by improper usage. Exposure to extreme temperatures (both high and low), frequent full discharges, and excessive usage of battery-draining apps all worsen battery health.
To extend battery life, avoid using unnecessary features in the background, like Bluetooth or GPS, when they are not needed, and charging the smartphone with low-quality chargers.
Display
The device part that suffers the most due to mechanical damage is the display. Scratches, cracks, dead pixels, or a broken touchscreen are common display problems across all smartphone models. However, these issues can be prevented by more careful usage of the device and with accessories such as a phone case and protective glass.
Operating System
Older smartphones may lack performance due to an inability to receive operating system updates. But most modern devices currently in use remain compatible with updates and shouldn't face major malfunctions.
To prolong the device's lifespan and prevent software issues, install the latest operating system updates. In addition to performance improvements, up-to-date software will ensure compatibility with the latest data protection guidelines.
How to Extend Device Lifecycle?
Although numerous factors worsen a phone's lifespan, there are several tips that can help extend it. Implementing them will not only save you money on repairing or replacing a device but also have a positive impact on the environment. Using smartphones for longer reduces the amount of e-waste, prevents overproduction of new electronics, and limits excessive extraction of natural resources.
So, how can you extend the phone’s lifespan?
Charge Your Smartphone Safely
To prevent the battery from damage and protect battery health, implement the following practices:
- Use official or certified chargers
- Don’t charge the smartphone overnight
- Keep the battery between 20% and 80%
- Avoid overheating the device during charging (therefore, charge the smartphone in a cool room, unplug it when it's charged, turn off unused features, switch to airplane mode, etc.)
Ensure Physical Protection
Although modern smartphones are typically made from durable materials, additional protection is a smart choice to avoid damage. It's preferable to apply a tempered glass screen protector and use a phone case. Additionally, keep the smartphone away from liquids and dirt to prevent internal damage. Avoiding contamination of the charging ports is especially important, as this helps prevent device overheating, inconsistent charging, and even short circuits.
Manage the Device Storage
When overloaded, your smartphone may perform poorly and take a long time to load files and apps. Therefore, it's crucial to clear the cache regularly and delete or offload unused data. Files that aren't needed frequently can be stored in cloud services, freeing up space on the device.
Set Energy-Saving Features
Some settings require less energy to perform than others, so choosing them as default options can extend the lifespan of your smartphone. For example, enable dark mode and adaptive brightness, reduce the screen timeout, and limit the use of apps with high battery consumption. Moreover, delete unused social media accounts you no longer need: even in the background, they can drain the battery.
Keep Your Software and Applications Up-to-Date
As we have mentioned, old versions of operating systems and applications may offer lower functionality to the smartphone. Thus, regularly installing the latest updates is essential for protecting battery health and avoiding unnecessary power drains.
Moreover, software updates usually fix vulnerabilities, preventing data breaches and personal information loss. Updating a device's operating system is crucial for phone performance and data safety.
How Can Used Device Businesses Extend Smartphone Lifespans?
Most tips on prolonging device lifespan can be implemented only by end-users or people who operate the device. However, phone businesses can also play an important role in extending the phone's working life: They repair devices, fix the problems, and make them suitable for further use. This process contributes to a circular economy and promotes conscious consumption and resource utilization.
NSYS Group has developed an innovative robotic solution to help businesses in their green journey. Reeva, the phone testing robot, ensures high-quality device processing while extending the device lifecycle. It performs functional diagnostics, AI-powered grading, accurate trade-in pricing, and certified data erasure. Moreover, the robot can be used in-store for buyback deals and at warehouses for wholesale operations.
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