You should keep a phone as long as it meets your needs, typically 2-4 years for general use, but it can be longer (5+ years for iPhones) if maintained well, or shorter if the battery degrades, performance slows, or software updates stop, making it insecure. Key factors are battery health (first to degrade), software support (security), and personal usage/needs.
You can technically keep using your phone for 5-8 years probably until apps stop being compatible or battery dies. Phone vendors notoriously cut off old phones from updates. So security issues and compatibility issues force upgrades at some point.
Average lifespan of a smartphone: In 2024, a smartphone has an average life span of 2.53 years. According to reports, iPhones last 4-10 years, while Samsung phones last 3-6 years. Many factors affect a smartphone's lifespan, including the condition of the screen, the hardware, and the battery's health.
Good Usage Habits Will Make Your Phone Last
The average smartphone will last between 2.5-3 years, but with excellent usage habits, you can extend your device's life to 4-7 years.
While a 7-year-old can technically have a mobile phone, evaluating their readiness for owning one is essential. For younger kids, a basic phone for calls and texts or a kid-friendly phone might be more suitable than a smartphone.
Gen Z is buying dumb phones to combat digital addiction, improve mental health, and regain focus by reducing constant notifications and social media comparison, allowing for more present, intentional tech use with simpler devices that offer calls/texts without the overwhelming features of smartphones, leading to better sleep, productivity, and less anxiety, says www.abc.net.au. This trend is a conscious move towards digital wellness, prioritizing real-world connections and reducing "compare and despair" cycles from curated online lives, The Guardian.
Mainstream software support for the iPhone 7 was dropped when iOS 16 was released. But, it still receives iOS 15 security updates (as of September 15 2025). The current version of iOS to support iPhone 7 is iOS 15.8.
With proper care, a smartphone can last up to 2-5 years or more. Regular maintenance, such as using a protective case, avoiding full battery depletion, and keeping the software updated, can significantly extend its life.
The 20/80 battery rule suggests keeping lithium-ion batteries (in phones, EVs, etc.) charged between 20% and 80% for daily use to slow degradation and extend overall lifespan, avoiding the stress and heat from frequent full charges (100%) or deep discharges (near 0%). While not strictly necessary for short-term use, following this guideline minimizes battery strain, leading to better long-term health, though modern devices have built-in optimization features.
In 2025, we will see the beginnings of the 6G era. While 5G is still rolling out globally, 6G will bring the next leap forward in mobile connectivity. It promises to offer speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G, with ultra-low latency, paving the way for real-time AI processing & instantaneous data transfer.
Whether you're on the go or staying in, avoid leaving your phone in very hot or cold environments. Extreme temperatures can not only drain your phone battery but also cause it to overheat and explode, putting your safety at risk.
If you want to keep using an iPhone for as many years as possible, avoid buying models that are already more than a year old. These models will get cut off from major iOS upgrades sooner than newer devices, which will make them unsafe to use in a shorter timeframe.
Generally, your battery can last three to five years. That's good news because, thanks to technological advancements, the car battery lifespan is longer than before.
Can 3 days without a phone really make a difference? Yes, research shows measurable brain changes after 72 hours. Stress and anxiety decrease, sleep improves, focus sharpens, and social connections strengthen.
Depending on storage capacity of your iPhone 7, our recyclers are currently happy to pay you around £100 for a fully working iPhone 7 with minor signs of use.
However, staying at 100% for extended periods still contributes to chemical wear. If you keep your phone plugged in at 100% day after day, expect shorter battery life after a few months. Some brands like Apple and Samsung now offer features to limit charging beyond 80% during idle hours.
Charge to 80% for daily use: Maintaining an 80% charge preserves battery longevity, reduces voltage stress, and provides sufficient range for most commutes. Use 90% or 100% selectively: Charge to 90% for longer trips and 100% only when necessary, completing the drive soon after to avoid prolonged high-voltage exposure.
A phone's max battery capacity often lasts two to three years or around three hundred to 500 charge cycles. This is the estimation for branded and off-brand models. Phones that are more than three years old tend to carry less charge or will rapidly lose power than before.
Top 4 Phone Brands with the Longest Lifespan
Here are six of the latest and greatest phones boasting a whopping 7000 mAh battery:
Can an Android Phone Last 7 Years? While it's possible for an Android phone to last seven years, it's uncommon. Most phones experience hardware and software limitations after 2-5 years, like battery degradation and loss of software updates.
What is the Oldest iPhone That is Still Supported? As of 2024, the oldest iPhone models still receiving iOS updates are the iPhone XS and XS Max, which were released in 2018. While these older models can still run the latest iOS version, users might notice some trade-offs.
How Much is a Used iPhone 7 Worth? (Resale Value) Today's best resale price is $30.00 with an average market value of $8.80. Thinking of selling your iPhone 7? Transform your old iPhone 7 into extra cash the smart way.
Currently, we provide support for and recommend using the following devices: Android running OS 5.0 and newer. iPhone running iOS 15.1 and newer.