Smartphones & Tablets | December 15, 2023
One of the most common Christmas gifts is a mobile phone, either for yourself or a loved one. Sometimes, we tend to think it might last another year (especially considering current prices), but are you sure it hasn’t reached the end of its life? Here are 7 signs that it’s time to change your phone as soon as possible. There are moments when we need to upgrade our technology, whether we want to or not.
In an ideal world, we could go through a day without searching for an outlet or wireless charging port for our phone. However, reality often differs, and you might notice that the battery drains much faster than when you bought it. If it struggles to last through a workday and barely makes it to lunchtime, it’s time to seriously consider buying a new phone. Modern designs often don’t allow for direct battery replacement, so investing in a new model with larger battery capacity (over 4,500 mAh) and fast charging capabilities can make a noticeable difference from day one.
Have you received the dreaded storage warning on your phone, indicating that you have very little space left? If so, it’s time to change, even if some phones offer options to expand storage with a microSD card or if you have cloud storage services. Photos and videos take up increasing space, so if you don’t want to keep transferring files around to accommodate new messages or social media notifications, accept that your phone’s lifespan has come to an end and purchase a new model.
The million-dollar question is, how much storage is enough? Most smartphones now offer a minimum of 128 GB, but you can still find some in the market with 64 GB. Try to avoid the latter and aim for one with 128 GB or more, although it all depends on how each person uses their phone and how much they rely on heavy apps or the camera.
We often don’t appreciate the importance of fluidity on a phone until it starts slowing down or freezing between screens. If it struggles to navigate within the same app, it’s a sign that your phone needs an upgrade. Whether it’s due to processor limitations or insufficient RAM (discussed later), it’s advisable to renew it if you want to have a frustration-free user experience.
Have you noticed that some of the volume or power buttons are no longer responsive on the first try? Although this problem might be overlooked, assuming we can cope with it somehow, if possible, consider changing your phone as soon as possible. Avoid excessively pressing these non-functional buttons, as the issue won’t resolve magically. If the phone is not under warranty, considering a repair might be more cumbersome than beneficial.
Have you gone months or even years without receiving a security update notification? It’s urgent to change your smartphone, not because you’ve missed the cutting edge of mobile technology, but having an outdated phone with no support can pose a risk to your data, making it more vulnerable to potential malicious attacks. Security updates might be a detail many overlook when buying a phone, but it ensures its continued usefulness over time. Samsung, for instance, promises up to five years of security updates for its S23 series models.
Earlier, we mentioned the perceived lack of fluidity when navigating screens within an app. If you find that multitasking is becoming increasingly burdensome, check your phone’s RAM in the settings. While budget phones today typically offer 4 GB of RAM, this value is no longer sufficient to manage everyday apps smoothly. If you have four or fewer gigabytes in this department, it’s time to browse through the catalogs of major manufacturers to get a new phone with 6 GB or more of RAM. If your use is intensive or professional, then consider looking for models with at least 8 GB.
The camera is one of the most important factors for many when buying a mobile phone, although some users consider it secondary. In any case, if you notice a lack of quality in your photos, such as a lack of detail, blurry areas, shaky or noisy photos, it’s probably time to upgrade. The current mid-range often offers cameras with much better features than those from two or three years ago, with 50 megapixels and various special photography modes. Getting a phone that takes good photos is no longer as conditioned by the price as it was in the past.
