You may think I’m crazy, but I was recently offered a iPhone 12that I refused to keep my iPhone 8. The looks I received from the Tom’s Guide team were a picture as you can imagine. Some thought I was joking, while others assumed I wasn’t fully aware of what was on offer.
Although I don’t claim to be a smartphone expert, I do have a basic understanding of the difference between iPhone models. I am aware that the newer one is better in terms of functionality and specs, but nevertheless I said no. Here’s why I didn’t take the upgrade.
Why end a good thing?
First off, there’s nothing wrong with my iPhone 8. I’ve had it now for almost three years and it works like new. The battery still lasts all day, the camera quality is better than I need, and the touchscreen responds quickly.
The only issue I really have is that it gets a bit hot during long phone calls, but that’s no reason to throw it away. Other than that, my iPhone 8 hasn’t had any issues since I bought it, and my previous iPhones were pretty much the same.
I also like the screen size of the iPhone 8 – I can still text with one hand, which is my cardinal rule when selecting a new smartphone. Before the new iPhone SE, this was the main reason I wouldn’t upgrade; every new iPhone seemed to have a bigger screen. While others are willing to pay more for it, I just see it as extra weight and space to store in my bag. Also, it’s less comfortable to hold if you have small hands, like me.
It’s more durable to keep it
Since there is nothing wrong with my iPhone 8, it is not very sustainable to upgrade it for the sake of new technology. According to Technical dump, the average American will buy a new phone every 18 months, resulting in the disposal of approximately 100-120 million phones each year. Of course, you can recycle your smartphone so that some parts are reused, but the materials will inevitably be thrown away every time.
There is also the environmental impact of producing new phones to consider. Although there is a high demand, there will always be supply. That’s why I only bought a new phone when there was a problem with my previous one, or it stopped working altogether.
It’s cheaper to keep and run
If you’re constantly upgrading to a new phone, you’ll pay for it as part of the monthly contract on an ongoing basis. Or you will have the huge expense of the phone every time. Either way, it’s expensive. You can get the best value for money by extending the use of your phone. When I’ve had to upgrade in the past, I always look forward to paying for data alone, which is so much cheaper than paying for a contract with the cost of the phone included.
It’s also cheaper to insure an older phone, like my iPhone 8, compared to the last generation and it’s not so much the end of the world if I drop it or get it stolen. It basically relieves the pressure of handling your phone with extreme care.
When is it time to upgrade?
It really depends on your preferences and situation. Because I don’t need the advanced features of the latest iPhones and my iPhone 8 works just fine, I won’t bother upgrading. But if you can use the latest specs and really enjoy owning the newest model, the investment might be worth it.
If you don’t want your phone to get too outdated, but want to save some money, you can always upgrade less regularly – you don’t have to be as stubborn as I am. Anyway, I’m happy to say that the iPhone 12 I turned down ended up with another owner who needed it more.
