Does it make sense to upgrade every two years now?

[Blacklac]

I wasn't trying to imply that there wouldn't be a need for some to upgrade, just as you acknowledged that there is no need to upgrade for others. I was merely stating I believe that Windows 8.1 would run sufficiently on a Snapdragon 800 and 2GB of RAM. And, the Asus T100 runs Windows 8.1, not Windows RT, so it would be able to run more than just RT apps.

Yeah, absolutely. Like most things in life, its up to the individual.

Doctors still use pagers. =D. It works for them.

 

[ninjaap]

Well I've upgraded 2x within the last 6 months, taking advantage of the 3 lines on my mobile share plan. 2 years is too long for an upgrade.

 

[21stNow]

I buy phones off contract (too) frequently, and could not imagine waiting two years to get a phone today. I don't trade mine out, though. I keep my old phones and switch them around in my daily line-up as I am a multiple device person.

I'm mostly an Android owner, but I do try the other major platforms out, as well. In 2013, I bought Android, Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10 devices. When an iPhone comes out that impresses me, I'll get it. The last one that I had was the iPhone 4.

 

[Torch4x4]

I reached the1st year last month and I don't need to replace my 8X yet, my previous phone was a high end android that after 18 months was too old, but after a year with WP8 I don't see too much difference, probably I want a better camera and more memory, but that's it, my 8X runs very well with all updates, all new apps and games, I didn't notice any difference with my battery drain or display scratches, body dents, waste, etc. however probably I'm replacing mine before the 2 years, probably is not depending on performance, depending most on the new WP models

 

[snowmutt]

As my family and I are in the midst of upgrading right now, I can say in my last 2 year contract:

-I upgraded to a Samsung Focus S.
-Moved to a HTC Titan 2.
-Bought a Nokia L900.

Now, I am looking at the L1520, thinking the same thing I thought when I got the "S" 2 years ago: I need this to last 2 years.


My wife just laughs at me. It is the one little toy I give myself. I like my cell phones. I still have a 3 year old Lenovo laptop with Win 7 I bought used, and will use it until I have to replace it and will most likely buy another used one. I still drive my 2001 Chevy Astro with 135,000 miles on it, and look excitedly to the day I ring in the 200,000th mile. I wear my clothes until they fall off my body, and tend to get a lot of second hand stuff.

Dang it- if I want a new phone in a year, contract be danged I will get it. Neener-Neener-Neener stupid contract.

 

[Jessica Lares]

I ONLY ever upgrade when my phone breaks. Having the best of the best doesn't matter to me as I do more work than play on my devices.

 

[tgp]

I'm mostly an Android owner, but I do try the other major platforms out, as well. In 2013, I bought Android, Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10 devices.

I do something similar. I buy & sell phones all the time. In 2013 I've bought 2 Androids, 4 Windows Phones (not counting 3 that I bought to flip), and an iPhone. And surprisingly I've mostly turned a bit of a profit on phones I've used for only a very short time. I've increased the value by getting it unlocked (legitimately, via the carrier), or I've bought at very reasonable prices. I think the best deal was an iPhone 5 that developed a defect after I used it for about 6 months. I got a brand new one on warranty. It happened when I was about to sell it anyway. Perfect timing!

My opinion is that in today's fast moving mobile world, 2 years is too long. Smartphones are more fragile than the feature phones that preceded them. They also become outdated much quicker, mostly in hardware, but in some Androids & WPs in software as well. However, the US's model of 2 year contracts makes that length of time quite common. Unless you have an iPhone, when your contract is up you're using a relic.

 

[LMZR]

Irony is, my Lumia 1520 is more powerful specs wise than my Surface 2!

 

[James8561]

^though your Surface 2 is definitely faster due to more power/heat allowance

 

[Zeem Frostmaw]

I upgraded from my Siemens A55 to Motorola L7 because I wanted a colour screen and a camera.

I upgraded from my L7 to Samsung Monte because I wanted a touchscreen phone and 3G.

I upgraded from my Monte to Lumia 920 because I wanted a smartphone with 4G and a decent camera.

You could say I upgraded every two years, but it's completely a coincidence. I upgrade when technology has advanced enough to warrant an upgrade.

 

[etad putta]

Yes for 3 reasons. It's a mobile device and is subjected to extreme conditions, hot, cold, drops, moisture, etc. Batteries not performing as well as time goes on. Software, the main issue. My device isn't getting the full benefit of an OS update due to old hardware ( 64 bit anyone )?

 

[Bryan Sayas]

I upgrade every two years. As of now, my 8x is 1 year old and my 1st year in WP8 experience.

 

[TenTwelve]

Beyond screen resolution, what is really future proof? Just look at the top phones from 2 years ago and see how it would run today's OS, Apps & Games.

In 2 years, WP could be close to running full Windows. Would a Snapdragon 800 and 2GB RAM be enough?

I personally think in 2 years these new phones will feel as old as any 2yr old phone, today.

I think the 1520 could run Windows 8.1 right now.

 

[WanderingTraveler]

Next year, it will make sense for the lower-tier phones to be updated this often.
This year? With the Snapdragon 800 (and that ridiculously large battery in the 1320 and 1520), it suddenly makes sense.
Why the battery? I'll tell you why. Having a 1300 mAh in a low-mid-range phone and 2000 mAh for your flagship is not good marketing...

 

[gsquared]

This is a highly subjective topic. Personally, I feel two years is still perfectly reasonable. Given the high cost of these devices most people are just are not prepared for that kind of expenditure on a regular basis. Spreading the cost out over time is the only justifiable way they can afford such things.

It also has to be noted that most people don't even have an option for subsidized devices. I'm sure they get much more than two years out of their devices.

 

[Citizen X]

This is a highly subjective topic.

Not really. If you are on contract you are paying for a new phone anyway. Might as well walk down to the at&t store and pick it up. I got my Lumia 900 for free. I missed out on the free Lumia 1520 though because of contract issues. Probably something like $20 a month of your cell phone bill goes towards paying for your device. I can't understand why you wouldn't at a minimum walk in and pick up a free cell phone.

 

[Phrozty]

I use my contract to pay for everything. Bought my Titan for $0.01 2 years ago, and got my 1520 and 2520 for $226 altogether (including tax) this year.

 

[Donald Burr]

I think it depends on the user. For a very long time I did fine with one phone, but recently technology changes have accelerated and some of the differences can be significant (e.g. if someone uses their phone for taking pictures a lot, the wave of new phones with 20-40MP would be a great upgrade). The phone makers are all now in a feature war with everyone trying to best their next best competitor so changes are bound to continue to accelerate. I think it comes down to what you use and don't use; but at the current pace I think two years is about one year too long. This pace is bound to settle a bit over the next 5 years (I could be very wrong on this), but for now mfg's will be churning out new phones with more, bigger-better feature sets.

 

[gsquared]

Not really. If you are on contract you are paying for a new phone anyway. Might as well walk down to the at&t store and pick it up. I got my Lumia 900 for free. I missed out on the free Lumia 1520 though because of contract issues. Probably something like $20 a month of your cell phone bill goes towards paying for your device. I can't understand why you wouldn't at a minimum walk in and pick up a free cell phone.

Your not getting a free phone. You still pay for it through your monthly payments. The price has simply went down enough to where those monthly payments cover it. I would guess most budget minded people always go that route. When I renew my contract I could opt for the "free" device that is close to being outdated or get the latest and greatest that will still be around and supported for two years.

The idea of being on contract and paying full price is what's not a good idea.

 

[dkp23]

Yes because if u plan to stay on your carrier. Don't waste the opportunity to upgrade. Doesn't have to be at 2 years exactly but u can wait for a deal and sell the phone. No point in saving your upgrade because you going to be paying the same rate anyway. Well unless u are on one of those upgrade anytime plans which isn't so great.

I used my previous upgrade to get a focus s for a penny sold the phone for $200, profit. People can say I paid through my monthly payment anyway, but not really considering I end up paying the same rate with or without the upgrade.

Simply consumer won't win, use ur upgrade when there is a good opportunity.