New iPhones Arrive, but Your Old Phone Can Last Longer With Proper Care

Apple's newest iPhones, revealed this week, bring improved cameras, fresh features and steep prices — including a folding variant starting at $1,999. Yet many users are choosing to hold on to their existing handsets, whether Apple or Android, rather than upgrade.

Smartphone innovation has become more incremental, and the environmental cost of electronic waste has added momentum to the keep-it-longer trend. Devices themselves are also more durable than before. The typical replacement cycle now stands at four years, according to Counterpoint Research, and some users report keeping phones for more than seven years.

The battery is the single biggest factor in a phone's longevity. Lithium-ion batteries have a "chemical age" shaped not just by manufacturing date but by temperature history and charging habits. As they age, they hold less charge and deliver reduced peak performance.

Manufacturers advise against fully draining a battery, which can shorten its life. Batteries typically endure about 300 to 500 charging cycles before noticeable degradation, according to Elizabeth Chamberlain, director of sustainability at repair site iFixit. Many users reach 500 cycles within two years, and heavy users get there faster.

Chamberlain recommends keeping the battery between 20% and 80% charged and avoiding full charges unless necessary. Both Apple and Samsung offer charging optimisation that delays a full charge based on daily routines — on iOS, this pauses at 80% and tops up before the user wakes.

Extreme temperatures also harm batteries. Apple warns against using or charging a phone above 95°F (35°C). Samsung cautions against leaving devices in hot or cold car compartments and dismisses the myth that freezing a phone prolongs battery life. Google notes that hot batteries drain faster even when idle.

Adjusting settings can reduce power draw. Lowering screen brightness, enabling dark mode, shortening screen timeout and using auto-brightness all help. Checking battery usage in settings can reveal power-hungry apps worth disabling or uninstalling. Low power mode on iPhone, or power saving mode on Samsung devices, can stretch the final 10% of charge.

Physical protection matters too. A sturdy case cushions drops, though some cases trap heat. A screen protector — ideally TPU film or tempered glass — guards against scratches and impacts.

Ports and speaker grilles collect lint and debris, often the reason a phone stops charging. Cleaning kits with brushes, picks and swabs are available, but a toothpick and clean toothbrush can work in a pinch.

Software support is another key factor. Keeping the operating system and apps updated ensures the latest privacy, security and battery management features. Google has pledged seven years of Android and security updates for Pixel 8 and newer models, up from four to five years previously. Samsung announced in 2024 that it would extend its operating system updates to seven years. Apple has not specified how long it will support iOS updates; the iPhone 11, released in 2019, was the oldest model still receiving updates this year, though reports suggest it may not be eligible for the upcoming iOS 27.

Repair is sometimes unavoidable, but self-repair is becoming easier. Netherlands-based Fairphone designs phones for longevity, running a stripped-down version of Android and easily disassembled with a mini screwdriver. Replacement batteries, screens and other parts can be ordered online. Chief Technical Officer Chandler Hatton said the company aims for its devices to last at least five years.

"What we're trying to do is to support people to be able to use their device for longer," Hatton said.