Simple Habits Can Extend Smartphone Life by 2 Years, Cutting Upgrade Costs

5 articles · Updated · CNET · May 21

One to two extra years of use can materially lower the cost of owning a smartphone, with the article urging buyers to keep devices running longer instead of upgrading frequently.
Seven years of software support now available on phones such as Google's Pixel 10 series makes that more realistic, but only if users install system and app updates to stay secure and compatible.
A case, screen protector and battery replacement can preserve both performance and resale value, with some older batteries falling to about 50% of original capacity.
Storage cleanup and occasional maintenance—backing up photos, deleting unused apps, factory-resetting slow phones and clearing lint from charging ports—can restore speed and prevent avoidable charging problems.
With flagship prices rising and the gap to cheaper models narrowing, stretching a phone's lifespan also reduces waste by slowing production, shipping and landfill disposal.

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