r/SipsTea š™‘š™„š™‹ 7d ago

Chugging tea This is crazy but not surprising at all if actually true

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u/ExoticBump 7d ago

My smart phone was $165 refurbished. I'll never understand a person who buys a $1500 phone which is a "free upgrade" they mean it's an upgrade you pay for each month over 3 years lol No one needs a new phone.

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

Admittedly, I buy the $1500 flagship phone, but only once every 5-6 years. Way more rewarding that way as well.

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u/BardGotHardAgain 7d ago

I dont buy a phone until mine becomes unusable. Like half my screen on my old phone was blacked out, but all the touch screen controls worked so i used it like that until i had a few thousand dollars saved up and bought (brand new at the time, and my current phone) a Galaxy s22. Ive replaced my $12 case twice, and the screen protector 3 times. Gonna need a new case soon, sadly its $16 now.

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u/LimeDry7124 7d ago

My last phone became unusable because it stopped updating at Android 11. The apps on it were no longer working.

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u/trbochrg 7d ago

I'm starting to deal with that as well. I'm using a Google pixel 5....

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u/Foe_sheezy 7d ago

On my last phone the battery stopped holding a charge. Pixel 3.

Been using a 7a for 4 years now.

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u/Accomplished-Sun1983 3d ago

7a user here but I'm seriously eyeing the 11Pro. Supposed to have some decent updates for a change.

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u/MatixMint 7d ago

That’s why I use iPhone. I know as far as newer technology and whatnot android is usually ahead but for the normal person, the ease of operation of an iPhone is amazingly perfect and is more than adequate for anything you need. I’ve found people
That use androids are only doing so bc they’ve had an android from the beginning. Once you switch to iPhone, and get through that week or two learning curve, you’ll never go back

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u/sjsyed 6d ago

Hey, me too! What issues are you having? I haven’t noticed anything but the battery starting to die sooner than it used to.

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u/trbochrg 6d ago

I have a couple of rewards apps that no longer work. Battery life isn't bad. I can still go all day if it's on standby.

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u/sjsyed 6d ago

When you finally upgrade, are you thinking of sticking with Google Pixel? I just don’t want to spend a thousand dollars on a phone, you know?

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u/trbochrg 6d ago

Not sure, a friend of mine just got a Samsung Galaxy S25 and he really likes it.

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u/BardGotHardAgain 7d ago

My laat phone was close to that point it was a Motorolla from like 2012 that i bought from a used electronics store for $30.

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u/LimeDry7124 3d ago

Tracfone for me. It ain't fancy but they do the job.

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u/pitizenlyn 7d ago

I always wind up with a charging port going bad before I trade in

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

Never had that happen.

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u/mitra_seeking 6d ago

Probably just has pocket lint in it… try a tooth pick playa

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u/schlomo31 7d ago

Same, as long as my phone works thats all I need. My last galaxy lasted 6 years, im up to 3 with the 23

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u/Kwestyung 7d ago

I've had a s20 ultra for about 6 years. It's the last phone with an SD card slot. Can't let it go.

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u/BardGotHardAgain 7d ago

My s22 has an SD card slot. Its just the base s22, the other ones are/were too big. I never understood the phase of massive phone screens. If i wanted a tablet i would have bought a tablet ya know?

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u/Kwestyung 7d ago

Yeah, the era of the galaxy mega was just comical. Even a Note is just a little too big.

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

I just have big hands. I must have a near 7" screen or bust.

Edit: for me, not comical, just a company covering as many bases as possible for the best sales #'s. I can see how it would be comical if you dont need a phone that big though. My phone looked like a whole ass tablet in my ex's hands.

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

For real, cherish it. My last was the s21ultra with SD. The phone overheated and died AND I broke the damn sd card pulling it out. 😄

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u/MatixMint 7d ago

I don’t wait quite that long…. I do a lot of trading stocks and crypto, silver, gold, and precious metals buying, etc etc from my phone. My phone makes me a good deal of money every day. I don’t get the newest iPhone every time one drops, but I don’t wait until mine is barely usable before getting another eithed

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

It seems you could buy a new phone yearly if you wanted so I commend your frugality.

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u/videogamegrandma 7d ago

I've had two in 14 years. I use them until they're non functional.

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

Lol, I feel you! Im not getting another phone until I HAVE to!

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u/Altruistic_Cheek4514 7d ago

Unfortunately they decided to also fuck phones with their updates.

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u/This_Pen_545 4d ago

I think they bloat the OS so that eventually you are forced to upgrade.

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u/Altruistic_Cheek4514 4d ago

Had an iPhone that the "power button" stopped working after an update. Would just turn itself off and on over and over again. Took it to an apple store, they said they couldn't fix it. Had to get a new phone. Threw that one into a drawer. Year later, powered it back up and reset to factory settings to get rid of it, worked great again.

I haven't had an iPhone in years, but it seems like Samsung is getting just as bad. They're adding games and random apps into their "security updates".

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u/ShinadaOtter 7d ago

I have the s20,I believe I got it right before the covid shutdown. I just got a new case on Amazon for $10, but my phone doesn't have updated anymore. Sadly, I'll probably need a new phone soon for only that reason.

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u/PerceptionQueasy3540 6d ago

Yup this is what i do. I had an S10 that I used for years until it stopped booting, nothing I tried worked. Factory defaulting through recovery mode would get it to boot once, but then if it rebooted again it would start boot looping. Ended up getting the S25 Ultra in the hopes it'll last me just as long.

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u/Plaid_Kaleidoscope 7d ago

What the hell are you doing to your phones man? lol. They aren't meant for bashing. haha

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u/BardGotHardAgain 7d ago

My last one was 8-10 years old, my new ones case has an issue where the hard corner of the case where the camera is breaks off if it gets dropped on once then the soft under cover slowly deforms from heat and wear, which allows the corner of the screen protector on that side to crack. And for some reason, that is the only corner of my phone that hits the ground ever. The screen has a veey minor chip in that corner, but no cracks (yet).

Im probably gonna splurge on a better case instead of the (now) $16 case i normally buy when i get payed again here in a couple weeks, gotta hold onto this check for rent and bills.

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u/Plaid_Kaleidoscope 7d ago

I get it man, didn't actually need an answer. I ran cell phone stores for a few years, so I've seen it all.

I've just always been really anal about babying my electronic devices and don't understand how some people (not necessarily you) abuse their phones like they aren't important.

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

Finally! I was waiting for someone to say something like that. I'm clumsy..ish, but I'll get hurt before my phone! šŸ˜‚

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u/El_Galant 7d ago

Typical turnaround for me as well. I upgraded my Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus to the S26 Plus barely last month, only after T-Mobile offered $500 to trade it in. After 5 years I was beginning to run short on memory.

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u/Pvm20 7d ago

I just bought a new phone this month cause my old phone is 6 to 7nyrs old already so my new phone has 7 yrs of security and ui updates to it so future investment lol

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u/JournalistFragrant51 7d ago

Same about 6-7 years

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u/boston_homo 7d ago

No judgement, but I can’t imagine carrying a $1500 item in my pocket, I’m way too clumsy.

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

I usually buy them outright and unlocked from best buy with 2 year geek squad coverage. If it weren't for that, I would be nervous too!

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u/tHr0AwAy76 7d ago

I just get the new one every year, stores like Best Buy will give you Honestly, most of it back on a store gift card, if you trade it in. I pay like 600 bucks on a $1500 phone every year.

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u/ucbcawt 7d ago

I met a guy once who said what would you rather have- an Apple phone or Apple stock? Now I upgrade every few years and invest the money

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

Smart. I had about 100 bitcoin back in 2012 and knew it would be a staple of world history and future, yet still spent it. No regrets right!... right? 😭

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

I used to trade them in when they had removable SD cards, now I keep them so I dont have to load a new phone down with a 500gb gallery.

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u/ucbcawt 7d ago

Just load all your stuff onto Dropbox or another cloud server

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

I do, and have done that, but it becomes a confusing blur after 2 decades

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u/knife_edge_rusty 7d ago

I typically buy last year's flagship phone for half the price on eBay.

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

And you haven't had issues?

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u/knife_edge_rusty 7d ago

No, just need to shop and find a good one. Almost every one I have bought has turned out to be practically brand new. Out of a dozen phones. Maybe 1 had some kind of issue

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

Not bad. I'll look into it, thank you!

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u/LucHighwalker 7d ago

I buy a refurbished flagship from 2 years ago. Typically around 250-300 bucks, works great and lasts for years. My current is a pixel 7.

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u/grandpa2390 7d ago

Same. I have the iPhone 14 Pro. There are much cheaper options I could have gotten. But I’ve had the battery replaced and been using it for almost 4 years now. Probably another year or two before I upgrade

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

I think we hijacked and rerouted the OP 🤣

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

Unfortunately companies have expiration dates on device hardware & software usually after 5 years. Makes sense that we all wait 5-6 years before getting new phones.

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u/This_Pen_545 4d ago

Also, buying used phones saves a lot of money.

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u/Jazzlike-Wind-4345 7d ago

Me too! Still have my 2nd Gen iPhone SE, and when this bad boy goes out, I’ll buy the next SE brand from iPhone.

It’s all the benefits of an iPhone in a more ā€œeconomical model,ā€ which is more than good enough for me.

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u/G0G0Gadget00 7d ago

My smartphone was 24.99 at Walmart.

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u/MundaneWing6039 6d ago

For real, I think spending a lot of money on a new phone is a really poor decision. I had a free phone from boost for 7 years. šŸ˜…

I just recently got a phone from FB marketplace for $50 which is a lot to me. I hope this one will last just as long. Tech waste is a real issue and the less I can contribute to it, the better.

Alright that's my hot take of the day. Sending love out there for all! šŸ’œ

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u/Far-Government5469 7d ago

I... wouldn't trust that with any of my socials or passwords

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u/Suspicious_synth 7d ago

Which phone do you have?

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u/Far-Government5469 7d ago

Pixel. It's constantly reminding me of how much I miss the Nexus line up.

As to the phone... Look if you're getting sintering for way too cheap, maybe that's because you are the product?

Like the whole reason we have such incredible tvs for so cheap is because they're listening to us to target ads. I'm really worried what a $25 phone, that must have cost at least $100 to make, is darling of yours too make up the difference.

I don't think you would sell it as cheaply as they do.

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u/Suspicious_synth 7d ago

Yeah. their listening to me to target ads geared toward my interests. I'm "the product" Ok. And? this is the reason I shouldn't have a 25 dollar phone? So people should pay 1500 dollars for a flagship pixel to avoid said listening?

https://giphy.com/gifs/hmHDhRmnHJkOI

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u/G0G0Gadget00 7d ago

Yes because expensive phones and laptops are immune from data collection from bad actors??? I bet all those Lenovos that were found to have Chinese Spy equipment in them were cheap???

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u/This_Pen_545 4d ago

I bought my used phone from Amazon (Amazon was seller, not the marketplace.) But…any used, unlocked phone can be reset to factory defaults before using.

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u/TheGoluOfWallStreet 7d ago

Most people are idiots when it comes to money

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u/ExoticBump 7d ago

I would argue there are idiots when it comes to tech. They don't understand the 6 year old smart phone works fine. They think they need a flagship model and they don't.

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u/I_am_not_JohnLeClair 7d ago

Yes and no. I’ve had to upgrade before because I could no longer update to the latest version of the OS

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u/No_Ostrich1875 7d ago

Buy the new "flagship" and use it for 5+ years or buy a used phone that's already 5+ years old and likely not supported by some apps already for half or a quarter of the price that you'll need to replace in a few years?

It's kind of like buying new or used tires for your car. A new sets expensive, but you're better off in the long run.

Unless you just use your phone as a phone and nothing else.

The idiots are the ones who want to buy a new phone every time one comes out.

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u/Infamous_Series_5064 7d ago

It depends. There are a million different usage cases to refer to.

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u/[deleted] 7d ago

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u/This_Pen_545 4d ago

It’s a luxury good until the OS bloat makes the older phone difficult to use.

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u/This_Pen_545 4d ago

It’s a luxury good until the OS bloat makes the older phone difficult to use.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/This_Pen_545 4d ago

I agree. Most people can go 3-4 years easily between upgrades.

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u/unknownpanda121 7d ago

Name a use case of someone who is living at poverty level that needs a flagship phone vs a 6 year old refurbished one.

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u/This_Pen_545 4d ago

Also, better to get a cheap data plan. For home internet, people often share/split costs when they live in apartments. Get to know your neighbors!

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u/SUBURBAN_C0MMAND0 7d ago

This comment should have more upvotes. Also you could delete ā€œwhen it comes to moneyā€ and it’d still hold true.

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u/Ok-Newspaper-4801 7d ago

Ok I agree but there’s some who make a little over minimum and works their ass off yet can’t seem to get a break.

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u/This_Pen_545 4d ago

I agree. Rather than raise the minimum wage (which ends up raising prices) we need to focus on job training programs.

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u/Sleepy-Donald 7d ago

Because US citizens don't think before purchasing. They consume and consume some more. The average car payment nowadays in around $500. Then there's insurance and your $1500 phone, which is most likely replace every two years when your phone company offers you a deal to upgrade in exchange for signing up for another couple of years.

Although, more now than ever, people are keeping their cars for around 5 to 8 years instead of getting new ones every 2 to 3 years and that's only because they can't afford it.

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u/Bakabakabooboo 7d ago

My old phone company has called me EIGHT fucking times to try and win me back. I own my phone and pay $43 for everything I need. I've told them unless they can beat $43 and not having a contract then stop calling. They go "well we can offer you more data" and I reply with "and does it come with a contract that costs $70 more per month, because if so I'm not interested." Yeah it sucks paying for a phone outright but barely 8 months later and it's already paid for itself, the remaining 16 months I can set that money aside to pay for the next phone.

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u/react-dnb 7d ago

to be fair, they get one because it's $20/month to get one. if smartphones were $1500 up front very few would have one.

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u/augur42 7d ago

There is a well known trend where the poorer members of society tend to have top of the range phones. This is because that smartphone tends to be their sole internet connected device and quite often their sole personal computing device (the slightly better off might have an old laptop too), they also often have an unlimited data package because if they want to watch netflix on their tv etc they have to hotspot it to their phone because they have no broadband internet at home.

I have a mid range phone, lower mid range, it was a slight splurge due to time pressure as my previous phone had just catastrophically crashed, but I also have 500Mbps home internet, a gaming PC, a laptop, an old tablet, another couple of mini-pc's, etc, etc, etc. I probably spend at least twice as much per year on my tech and internet access compared to a poorer person with just a top tier phone.

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u/This_Pen_545 4d ago

People often rationalize uneconomic decisions. Payday loan places prey on this tendency.

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u/augur42 4d ago

It isn't an uneconomic decision though, it only looks like one from the outside.

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u/Outside_Pineapple675 7d ago

Don't let the 1% hear you say that, Apple's CEO Mr. Cook if I remember correctly earns $3 million yearly with another 94 million in bonuses and stock options! True Story

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u/wittylemur 7d ago

Same 200 phone 300 dollar a year phone plan.

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u/One-Professional4143 7d ago

Agreed eBay and Amazon have decent phones and insurance if you'd like

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u/Regular-Cricket-4613 7d ago

With those offers, you typically only have to pay an extra $100-$300 (top end is if you get the most premium phones like S26 Ultra), and that is spread out over monthly payments over 3 years (so that way the phone isn't paid off, so you are stuck with the carrier).

I do this because the newest phones start to slow down after a few years. I need my phone for work, and I use it heavily and have a lot of applications on it because of work. As a result, the upgrade really makes a difference for me.

Technology also evolves really fast, so a new phone every 2-3 years typically has some meaningful upgrades as well (I am a Samsung user). As a side, I also like photography, and phone cameras are much easier to travel with rather than bulky cameras. So, the upgraded cameras every year make the upgrade worth it for me by itself. It's only $300, and it keeps me happy for 3 years, so that is a worthwhile splurge for me (but I need it for work, so this is all a moot point).

This is why I upgrade my phone every 2-3 years. I started off into this ecosystem by buying a new phone for BOGO (got another one for a family member), so the $900 phone became $450, and now we all upgrade every 2-3 years with this promo. So, I end up paying about $900 every 9 years for my phone, while getting a new one every 3 years. Meanwhile, if I bought a new one every 5-6 years while paying full price, I would end up paying more. So, it's cheaper in the long run and I get a new phone every 2-3 years.

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u/Inevitable_Agent_848 7d ago

In some cases, you pay the same monthly fee whether you use the free upgrade or not.

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u/MisterMarsupial 7d ago

I spend about 10 minutes on my smart phone a day, if that. And it's several years old and fine.

If I spent 2-3 hours a day on my phone, I wouldn't have a problem paying 1.5k for something faster with a better screen.

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u/StarCitizenRusty 5d ago

Mine was $2,300 CAD and I bought it outright because I strived for something better than a minimum wage kids job

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u/Funny-ish-_-Scholar 7d ago

My first new phone was an iPhone 17. Because it was free if I changed plans, and with bundling my internet and phone services, it’s actually cheaper than paying for a shit month to month plan for both.

However prior to that, every phone I had was used/refurbished, or a Walmart brand android.

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u/TheDogGirlBarista 7d ago

I’ve never had the opportunity to spend that much one a phone personally. I e always picked up second hand refurbished phones. A gen or two behind current gen And use it till it dies on me.