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So, you’ve been holding onto that trusty old phone for a while now, haven’t you? It’s been through thick and thin with you, capturing memories, helping you navigate through cities, and even surviving a couple of accidental dips in the toilet and maybe slammed into the sidewalk once or twice.
But, let’s be honest, there comes a point when even the most beloved gadgets have to retire. While yes, by all means, it’s super eco-friendly to keep your gadgets alive for as long as possible. It’s something that you should be doing in the first place, too. However, for everything that we own, there’s going to be a point where we’re just going to have to finally get rid of them and replace them with an upgrade to something new, something better, and of course, that means a phone too.
You might even be asking, “Can I sell my phone, rather than just throwing it away or recycling it?” and there’s a pretty solid chance that you can even do that (some phone companies even allow trade-in programs), so you don’t really need to feel like you’re going to miss out. So, with all of that said, there’s nothing bad or wrong with ditching or selling your old phone; sometimes, there just needs to be an upgrade. So, with all of that said, here’s when to know that it’s finally time for that upgrade!
When to know that it’s finally time for that upgrade
The Battery That Just Won’t Keep Up
Do you remember when you could charge your phone overnight, and it would last you through an entire day with some juice to spare? Better yet, some phones are fully charged within two hours, and they can last days without needing a charge either! Those were the days! But now, if your phone can barely make it to lunchtime without screaming for a charger, it’s a clear sign.
Basically, if you’re constantly being tethered to a charging cable or lugging around a power bank like it’s your lifeline, it isn’t the way to live. So you really have to keep in mind that catteries degrade over time, and if yours is on its last legs, it’s a hint that you might need a fresh start.
Slow as a Snail
Needless to say, we’ve all been there. You tap on an app, and then you wait. And wait. And wait. If your phone is taking longer to respond than it takes to make a cup of tea, it’s time to face the music. It’s no different for computers, either. (which is something that really gets on people’s nerves too).
But on top of that, you have to keep in mind that newer apps and operating systems are designed for the latest hardware, which means older phones can struggle to keep up. If your phone’s performance is making you nostalgic for the days of dial-up internet, it’s probably time for an upgrade.
The Camera Isn’t Cutting It Anymore
Gone are the days when a phone camera was just a fun little add-on. Nowadays, our phones are our primary cameras, capturing everything from holiday snapshots to Instagram-worthy food pics. If your photos are starting to look more like impressionist paintings because of the grain and blur, it might be time to move on. You have to keep in mind that nowadays, phones can even offer 4k quality, so, to a degree, there is this expectation of having better pictures and videos.
Plus again, it’s not only about 4k video quality but newer phones come with camera technology that’s leagues ahead, giving you sharper, brighter, and more vibrant images. If you’re still rocking a camera with fewer megapixels than your last holiday’s souvenir keychain, it’s time to consider an upgrade.
The Storage Dilemma
“Oh no, not again!” If this is your reaction every time you try to download a new app, take a photo, or even just update your existing apps, then we feel your pain. Running out of storage is a common issue with older phones. Even if you have Cloud Storage or something like Google One Storage, these both don’t necessarily help.
You have to keep in mind that apps are getting larger, even the basic ones, security updates are large (if yours can still do those), and then there are all those little things that the phone stores too that can’t be backed up. With all of that said, if you find yourself constantly deleting old photos, messages, or apps just to make room for new ones, it’s a clear sign your phone is struggling to keep up with your needs.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com
