On the "tip of your tongue" (figuratively) for a long time

[Scott5114]

I will fully admit that my primary interest in upgrading my phone either once per year or once every two years is because the batteries start to go out. But there are many other reasons to replace a phone, such as better cameras, better screens, safer unlock techniques, larger batteries, faster internals, etc. These are less important issues for iPhone users because there's only so many iPhones, but two years of Android phone releases could mean 100+ new devices; naturally there are going to be advancements with that many phones to perhaps consider upgrading for reasons other than a removable battery.

Once per year? If I did that I'd never have any money...

I get annoyed if my phone starts acting up before the 4-year mark.

[bandit957]

Anyone remember a song called "Boom Boom"? Not the Paul Lekakis song, but a different one. It came out around 1984, but I don't think it even charted.

This one?

I was able to find it last night searching an online collection of Billboard magazines. It was "Boom Boom" by Trio.

[jakeroot]

I will fully admit that my primary interest in upgrading my phone either once per year or once every two years is because the batteries start to go out. But there are many other reasons to replace a phone, such as better cameras, better screens, safer unlock techniques, larger batteries, faster internals, etc. These are less important issues for iPhone users because there's only so many iPhones, but two years of Android phone releases could mean 100+ new devices; naturally there are going to be advancements with that many phones to perhaps consider upgrading for reasons other than a removable battery.

Once per year? If I did that I'd never have any money...

I get annoyed if my phone starts acting up before the 4-year mark.

Virtually all carriers offer plans that allow annual upgrades. You pay off half the phone, and you trade up to something else. Sales tax is paid up-front, plus a down-payment depending on your credit, and your bill includes the cost of the phone (minus sales tax and any down payment) divided over 24 months. Finding really good phones for $15/month or less (over 24 months) is not difficult.

For some people, this is insane, because they like phone bills that are like $60-80 or less. With this style of plan, you're talking around $100+/month. This is something I'm comfortable with, because my phone is always really good, covered by some sort of warranty and insurance, and has the latest features that I personally enjoy. Nevermind not having to worry about dropping or breaking my phone, getting something repaired by some weird third party, struggling with a crap battery or broken cameras, etc. It's just worth it to me, especially since unlike a car payment, I don't ever see myself not having a phone bill.

[Scott5114]

Doing all the math there...yeah, I wouldn't have any money.

[jakeroot]

Doing all the math there...yeah, I wouldn't have any money.

It also helps to be part of a family plan. Not sure if this is the case for you or not, but it substantially cuts down on the cost per user.

[webny99]

I seem to start running into trouble with my phone charger around the one year mark, to the point where I've decided anything over a year is borrowed time. It's just a matter of time before I have high usage one day and let it fall below 5%... and then it will die completely before I can force it to start charging, and that's the end of that phone.

[Roadrunner75]

I seem to start running into trouble with my phone charger around the one year mark, to the point where I've decided anything over a year is borrowed time. It's just a matter of time before I have high usage one day and let it fall below 5%... and then it will die completely before I can force it to start charging, and that's the end of that phone.

Pretty much all the phone chargers (Iphones/Ipad) we've had for charging at home have fallen apart.  It seems like I'm always buying new ones.  At the same time, I'm always grabbing them from a bin at Walmart, so I get what I pay for.

[webny99]

I seem to start running into trouble with my phone charger around the one year mark, to the point where I've decided anything over a year is borrowed time. It's just a matter of time before I have high usage one day and let it fall below 5%... and then it will die completely before I can force it to start charging, and that's the end of that phone.

Pretty much all the phone chargers (Iphones/Ipad) we've had for charging at home have fallen apart.  It seems like I'm always buying new ones.  At the same time, I'm always grabbing them from a bin at Walmart, so I get what I pay for.

My problem isn't with the charger... it's with increasingly poor connection between phone and charger. I wonder if it's gradual dust build up or something.

[Scott5114]

Doing all the math there...yeah, I wouldn't have any money.

It also helps to be part of a family plan. Not sure if this is the case for you or not, but it substantially cuts down on the cost per user.

I don't have a family. Should I start one to get cell phone discounts?

I seem to start running into trouble with my phone charger around the one year mark, to the point where I've decided anything over a year is borrowed time. It's just a matter of time before I have high usage one day and let it fall below 5%... and then it will die completely before I can force it to start charging, and that's the end of that phone.

I have the opposite problem right now–I can charge my phone, but cannot get it to go above 85%, no matter how long I leave it on the charger.

[hbelkins]

I've had to replace the battery in my iPhone twice now. The last time, the battery had actually swollen up and was causing the case to bulge a bit.

As for phone chargers, I've been seeing a lot of ads for testing programs on Facebook. These companies will advance you the money to buy and test their cables. To date, I think I've gotten 25 or 30 cables this year free of charge, and I have two more packages on the way. All you have to do is review the products on Amazon. I only deal with the companies that prepay (via PayPal); there are some who wait for you to give them a good review before they reimburse. I don't deal with them because I want to give an honest review; a less-than-stellar review would probably mean the company won't reimburse you.

[jakeroot]

Doing all the math there...yeah, I wouldn't have any money.

It also helps to be part of a family plan. Not sure if this is the case for you or not, but it substantially cuts down on the cost per user.

I don't have a family. Should I start one to get cell phone discounts?

Well clearly. What's the hold-up?

I'm on plan with my father, his girlfriend, a cousin, and one of my aunts. Just start grooming combining people until you get the discounts

[kphoger]

My problem isn't with the charger... it's with increasingly poor connection between phone and charger. I wonder if it's gradual dust build up or something.

Same here.  With my current phone/charger, I have to plug it in, then shift the plug at an angle to the right.  If I plug it straight in, it often doesn't actually make connection to charge up.