Smartphone upgrade cycle reaches five-year ideal mark

Technology experts suggest that a five-year period is the ideal timeframe for upgrading smartphones, balancing device value with investment costs. As hardware differences between annual releases have narrowed, older devices equipped with processors like Apple Silicon or Snapdragon remain capable of handling daily tasks such as social media and video streaming.

Software support is a major factor in extending device longevity. Starting in 2025, European Union regulations will require manufacturers to provide at least five years of operating system updates. Some brands, including certain Galaxy and Pixel models, have already committed to up to seven years of support, while older iPhones continue to receive long-term updates.

For devices reaching the five-year mark, the primary issue is often the natural degradation of lithium-ion batteries. Rather than purchasing a new phone, experts recommend replacing the battery at an authorized service center to restore performance at a lower cost.