And Im not alone.
This is a long-term trend: the companys 2015 survey found most buyers were on a two-year replacement cycle.
Day-to-Day Use?
Matthew S. Smith / Lifewire
2016 Often Feels Like 2021
Theres a lot to like about the iPhone 7 Plus in 2021.
Its surprising that phones have put on weight in recent years.
This isnt just true of big phonesthe iPhone 12 is about 18% heavier than the iPhone 7.
Matthew S. Smith / Lifewire
Theres no support for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, or wireless charging.
Apple settled a lawsuit over iPhone performance issuesin 2020, but that doesnt reflect my experience.
Nearly everything I do day-to-day, from scrolling through web pages to editing documents, is smooth.
More recent phones fly through these apps without a moment of hesitation.
Theres little difference between my iPhone 7 Plus and newer phones when snapping shots in good light.
In poor lighting, though, my phone is hopeless.
Photos look dark and flat, even in a modestly lit room.
But the biggest issue?Battery lifespan.
The iOS battery health report says my phones battery holds 83% of its original maximum charge.
Thats worse than it sounds.
The battery can give out in under two hours of gaming.
Cost vs. Not bad, right?
Instead, its best to consider how much it costs to keep a phone for each year.
Apple and Samsung offer trade-in programs that set a baseline for an older phones value.
As you might see, the story changes with resale value considered.
But holding a phone longer than three years saves less than $100 a year.
The math is even less favorable if you resell the phone on Swappa or eBay.
On average, theiPhone 11 Pro Max 256GB currently sells for $779 on Swappa.
That slashes the true cost of a yearly upgrade to $371!
Android fans arent out of luck.
I understand why an Android enthusiast might be happy to spend $500 a year for a cutting-edge phone.
Its less expensive, yes, but not a good value.
Is that worth $150 more each year?
I certainly think so.
