If you want a new iPhone, when should you upgrade?

Do you need assistance selecting the newest iPhone or not? Look over these 14 elements to see if it makes sense for you to upgrade from your current iPhone or Android handset to the newest iPhone.

1. The age of your existing phone is between three and four years.

The majority of mid- and high-end cellphones that have been sold in recent years can effectively serve you for at least three years and possibly longer.

Hence, if your present phone is less than three or four years old, there is no need to purchase a new iPhone and you can keep using it. Here is my opinion:

• iPhone XS or older: Can upgrade
• iPhone 11: Maybe upgrade (I still use an iPhone 11, and it’s great)
• iPhone 12 and 13: Wait for iPhone 15
• iPhone 14: Wait for at least two years

2. You run out of storage on the phone you’re using

It might be time to buy a new phone if the one you’re using consistently runs out of space and none of these 50+ techniques to free up space work. I had to upgrade to a 128 GB iPhone 11 in 2020 because I had grown tired of my 16 GB iPhone 6S+.

3. Your phone lacks 5G support

Most big cities now have 5G service, and it is quickly spreading to smaller areas as well. You can upgrade to the most recent iPhone to benefit from the better 5G speeds if your neighborhood has 5G but your current phone only supports 4G.

4. The battery quickly depletes

Go to the Settings app > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to examine the condition of your iPhone’s battery. You can acquire a new battery at an Apple Store if the Maximum Capacity is less than 70% or if you receive a “service” notification. That costs a lot less than purchasing a new phone.

But, you can give this phone to a member of your family and purchase a new iPhone if you don’t want to do so or are unable to locate Apple-authorized service centers in your area.

5. The phone feels sluggish and lags a lot

After a few years of use, older iPhones and Android phones begin to seem slow. This occurs as a result of the operating system, updated apps, and collected data starting to slow down the hardware of the phone.

If trying these 18 ways to speed up an iPhone doesn’t make a significant difference, you may wish to upgrade to a newer, more powerful model.

6. A beloved app or game is no longer compatible with outdated phones

While the developer of most apps and games try to support older hardware, some demanding titles may drop compatibility for phone models that are a few years old because it’s no longer possible to render intensive graphics with the aging processor or limited RAM.

If one of the editing, productivity, or gaming apps you love has dropped support for your current phone, then your best options are to upgrade to a newer model or look for an alternative to that app.

7. Your job requires the most recent gear

Consider the possibility that you work with apps that could profit from the LiDAR sensor found on the Pro versions of recent iPhones and iPads. In this situation, you are essentially compelled to upgrade in order to benefit from the new hardware features.

Similar to this, you will have to pay more for a newer model if you insist on having the Always-On Display or the 120Hz refresh rate.

8. You no longer get software updates for your phone

Even while Apple is frequently praised for maintaining its phones for five years or longer, if you own an extremely old model of the iPhone, such as the iPhone 7 or 6S, that is no longer receiving significant iOS updates, you will need to upgrade to a newer iPhone. Prominent apps like WhatsApp frequently stop functioning on very old iOS and Android versions.

9. The newest cables, chargers, and accessories are incompatible with you

Recent iPhones have MagSafe, wireless charging, rapid charging, and there are even rumors that the iPhone 15 will have USB-C!

For a few years after a new standard (such as the switch from the 30-pin connector to Lightning or the rumored shift from Lightning to USB-C) is released, Apple and other reputable manufacturers will continue to support existing cables and adapters.

But, older versions may eventually have trouble finding genuine, high-quality accessories.

You will thus need to make room in your wallet for the newest iPhone model if you find yourself in a position like this or if you need a phone that supports all new peripherals and cable standards.

10. It’s too pricey to fix your present phone

If your phone has motherboard issues, charging port issues, or water damage and the service center estimates you an absurdly high price, it might not be a wise financial move to have it serviced.

If you do the arithmetic, you might discover that purchasing the most recent iPhone is preferable to having your old phone repaired. Don’t forget that your new iPhone comes with a one-year (or, in some countries, two-year) warranty that you can extend further with AppleCare+ and enjoy worry-free use for the ensuing few years.

11. You lack Apple Care and your iPhone’s screen is broken

This point is comparable to the one above. A genuine screen must be purchased for an absurdly expensive repair price to replace a damaged one. In rare circumstances, replacing the phone’s screen could cost up to 50% of the total price.

Hence, you could be better off upgrading to a new iPhone if the screen on your previous iPhone is damaged and you don’t have AppleCare+ or insurance for your existing Android phone. Please remember to recycle your broken phone after you do that.

Image: Age Barros for Unsplash.

12. You’re receiving a fantastic trade-in offer

If Apple or another trustworthy organization, such as your phone carrier, offers you a trade-in or exchange value for your current iPhone, take them up on it.

Keep in mind that the worth of your present phone is decreasing by the second. Hence, it would be wiser to upgrade now if your phone is two years old or older and you’re receiving a good deal on it.

13. You want to experience iOS but have an Android phone

Both Android and iOS have advantages and disadvantages. If you’ve always used an Android phone, you might want to try out iOS to see how it functions as your primary phone.

Some highly-rated apps like Overcast and Bear Notes are only available on iOS. And to add to this, multiple people feel that some apps, including those by Google, actually run better on iOS.

Only iOS users can download several highly regarded apps like Overcast and Bear Notes. Additionally, a number of users believe that several apps, particularly those made by Google, perform better on iOS.

Moving to an iPhone is the solution if the aforementioned arguments have persuaded you or if you want to test out the second-most popular phone operating system in the world.

Remember that it’s simple to move back from an iPhone to an Android device, and our list of 11 suggestions will make the process go more smoothly.

14. The following iPhone release is not imminent

Last but not least, there is always a good time to get a new iPhone. Several people have various theories about it. But here’s mine: I believe that purchasing the most recent iPhone is ideal between six and seven months after its release. Following that, waiting for the new version makes more sense.

New iPhones typically go on sale in September of each year. Hence, you should purchase it by April of the following year. If not, it’s more promising to wait until September because by then, there are already several speculations about the upcoming model. You don’t want to watch Apple’s September Keynote while holding a pricey, two-month-old iPhone when they reveal the gleaming new iPhone.

One exception is that after releasing a new iPhone, Apple swiftly discontinues some existing models, particularly the Pro variations. If you wish to purchase a non-pro iPhone that is one or two generations old, you might want to hold off until the following launch. Apple will most likely cut an older iPhone model’s original price by roughly $100 if they opt to maintain it in their annual lineup.