Delay Replacing Your Phone

Getting a new phone, even a hand-me-down one, should be exciting: new technology, greater capabilities, more battery power. But, I’ve found that it sends me into a tailspin of scrambling to recall passwords long-forgotten, and the struggle to transfer data and set up emails. The set-up eats up most of one day and then trickles into the following days. For that time, my phone is out of service, working minimally. I delay updating my phone for much longer than most people, to postpone the whirlwind into which it sends my nervous system. 

Setting Up A Phone is Stressful

I wondered if this was a generational response to new tech because a younger family member wasn’t fazed at all about setting up my phone with me. But, then I remembered that it was MY phone we were setting up. I was the one experiencing “loss of phone” while we worked on it.  “…research has shown that some people experience significant stress and anxiety when they are separated from their phones…”*

Older People Replace Their Phone Less Often

Older folks get less experience with setting up new phones because they replace phones less often. So, of course it’s stressful! According to a recent study, approximately 80% of folks under the age of 55 replace their phones in under 3 years. However, as folks get older they wait longer to get a new phone. 43% of people 55-65 waited 3 or more years. By the time folks were over 65, the number rose to 65%.** 

How To Extend Your Phone’s Life

If you want to extend the life of your phone there are ways to do it including, replacing cracked screens, and putting in a new battery. You can also “Close apps and browser windows you’re not using right now. If you’re running out of storage, delete apps you no longer use.”***

Keeping Phones Longer Has Benefits

We could all keep our phones for longer than the average 3 years and benefit our bank accounts and the environment. I’ve learned that iPhones are supported by Apple for 5 years after they are released.  Keeping your phone longer reduces the amount mining for rare earth minerals that are needed to create new phones and delays polluting the environment with a discarded device.

“The electronics industry is a dirty one. From the mining of rare earth minerals to be used in all manner of device components, to the factories and production lines, to the shipping of the products themselves, the environmental impact of your phone is huge.”***

I’m Glad I Delayed

I will continue to delay replacing my phone whenever possible. The environment, my bank account and my nervous system will benefit from this. Now, back to setting up my email. 

How do you feel about the length of time you keep your phone? Comment below.

---

*https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/mental-health/stress-and-anxiety-the-digital-age-the-dark-side-technology

**https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/19/how-soon-users-upgrade-iphone-by-age/

***https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2022/cheap-phone-upgrade.html

---