Question about smartphones

Iris L.

I have a two year old LG smartphone that is paid for.  The company is now sending me ads to turn in my phone and get a new one.  I have no desire for another phone.  I have not learned all the features of this phone yet.  Is there any need to retire a working phone after two years?  How long can a phone be functional?  Do we have to upgrade?  Thanks for any guidance.  

Iris

KawKaw

I do not believe you need to upgrade to a new phone.  Two years still seems new to me.

I think providers urge new phones on their customers for their bottom line.
My last phone was nearly 6 yrs old and becoming too slow to process the resource-heavy applications that had advanced over time.

It still worked very well with most of the features I needed: phone access, texting, maps, and banking.

I expect to keep my new phone for years to come.

Regarding operating system upgrades, you might contact the tech support for your phone.  

If software and operating system updates have not been running automatically, you might need to look into getting the updates.

I rather doubt this is the case, though.  I gather from your post that nothing is going wrong with your phone now.

Quilting brings calm

No you do not need a new phone.  They just want to sell you one. As long as your phone meets your needs then it’s all you need.  Every time I get a new phone it takes a while to figure out how to do the same things that I knew how to do on the old phone.

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abc123

Iris, I agree with what’s been said. I went through this recently and it was a nightmare trying to learn how to use the new phone!

Iris L.

I appreciate all the responses!  I have no one else to ask this question.  Many of my peers still have flip phones.  People I know who do use smartphones are in business or working, and do want the latest models.   Yes, I'm very satisfied with my current phone.  Now I can feel more comfortable ignoring the marketing texts from the company!

Iris

GothicGremlin

I just wanted to echo what Victoria2020 said about battery life and security updates. 

Also,  I'm lucky to have a couple of security guys in my life, and they've told me in the past that security is better on iPhones than on Androids. One of them also told me that security tends to be better on smart phones than flip phones. For example, iMessages on the iPhone are end-to-end encrypted (privacy and security!), texting on flip phones isn't end-to-end encrypted.

The other thing about smart phones v flip phones is that flip phones tend to run older operating systems so they can be more vulnerable.  On the other hand, there's less stuff on them....

So yeah, I'd ignore the marketing ads and use what you're comfortable with.

Michael Ellenbogen

All good advise and I would not replace it until it breaks.

Wilted Daughter

If I may add... new phones = new technology. If you are not concerned about security + privacy issues, new features and phone capabilities then keep what you have. When these things become a priority then shop for a phone that meets your needs. 

Most people upgrade to fit the way they use the phone (camera, video, texting, accessing/sending emails...). If your just use the phone for calling (talk) and not using advanced features if you upgrade you will be paying for features you may or may not use (something to think about). 

zauberflote

Iris, I agree with everyone, especially the battery replacement availability and the Operating System (OS) updates. This is called things like "LG's phone like Iris has is no longer supported by LG" and other such language. Do you have any techie contacts under about 35-40 who can help you by finding out how long LG plans to support your model of phone? I know that Apple and Android support older phones for many years. 

I had a flip-phone years ago that I tried to keep running forever. What made me get a new phone was that the battery was overheating to where you couldn't touch it. I was afraid the phone would have a catastrophe so replaced it. I had the same issue with an old iPhone I really loved, and my current 3-yr-old iPhone is starting to heat up too. So if the phone feels really hot to you, see if you can get someone to feel it and get their opinion. 

I think I could get along fine with a cheaper "stupid" phone plus my tablet, but am not prepared to give up the bells and whistles yet!

smbren

Batteries tend to start having issues after 2 years.  But those can be replaced.  Some are user replaceable.  But worst case, you can have it done for you if it is not user replaceable.

As for the OS updates, usually you will get updates for 3-5 years.  It can vary depending on when you bought it, if you bought an older model to save a few bucks when bought it and the timing of the OS cycle.  So what happens if you don't get the latest OS updates?  You may miss out on some of the latest and cool features, but sounds like you aren't too concerned about those.  But those updates also include security patches and fixes.  Some phone manufacturers still do security patches for older OS's but nothing but security patches and some will only do critical security patches and some will do nothing once support has ended.   But once an OS has matured to 4-5 years of age, not many security breaches come around after that, but there have been some.  

Me personally, I get the new Iphone every year.  But I also have a hand me down system.  My phone goes to my wife.  My wife's goes to my dad.  My mom used to get one too.  But she has to stay on the 8 Plus now as it is the last of the series with the home button and she has trouble using the phone with swiping up to unlock.  Then my dad's phone goes to my business phone (I don't carry it as the calls I forwarded to my personal line (I just like being able to separate personal and business even though since I started my caregiver role I don't).  So even though I buy the new Max Pro (or whatever they call it each year), my phone gets 4 years of use before it is recycled.  

Iris L.

Thank you everyone who responded.  I learned a lot.  I had to get a new smartphone on Monday, May 31st.   Last Thursday I noticed that the phone was slow in charging.  I took it in to the T-Mobile repair shop, and they said it was charging on their charger. Friday and Saturday it charged, but slowly.  On Sunday it lost charge quickly.  On Monday I took it back and was told I needed a new charger.  I charged it for three hours but the new charger didn't work.  I went back and they finally told me that the battery was worn out and could not be replaced because it was obsolete and could not even be ordered.  

I was offered a new replacement phone in the same price range but at no charge except tax. They transferred my photos and contacts to the new phone.  Thry told me I could still use the old phone while it is on the charger, but it is totally dead now.

My old phone was an LG, the new phone is a Samsung.  I have to input all of my passwords because passwords do not transfer.  I have to learn new features.  There is no manual, I have to read a pdf online to figure out how to use it.  I was so comfortable with my old phone.  At least I got two and a half years use out of it.  I don't have Alzheimer's Disease but cognitive impairment.  Learning new things is still hard for me.  Well, I'll do my best. 

Iris

eaglemom

Iris I have a Samsung phone. I'd be happy to help you if you need it. Just ask and I'll do my best to answer you.

Reinterring passwords is a pain. Don't try to do too many at once. Maybe one or two a day. It will get easier.

Best of luck and seriously ask any questions, surely one us us will be able to help you.

eagle

John2.0.1

Cell phone service providers are a lot like car dealers. They think that once your old one is paid off you'll want to immediately start paying off a new one.

I can't bang into my car dealer's head that just because I paid off my current car does not mean I want a new one!

Rescue mom

Just my personal experience....but cellphones and tablets got MUCH easier when I stopped going to the service provider stores (such as Verizon, t-mobile, etc), for help and device problems, and instead went to a couple of  independent businesses who work on all brands. 

The providers were always trying to upsell—the latest phone, a different plan, a different battery (always more expensive)—had lots of company “hoops” to jump through, and seemed like they didn’t want to be bothered otherwise.

The indies always could fix whatever my problems were (as long as it’s the device and not the carrier) faster, cheaper and nicer than the carrier/providers did. And they didn’t try to sell me other services/things.

I did buy my new iPhone from one repair place, which is do-able if you keep the same service provider. I kept the same number and the indie guy saved and moved all my contacts, photos, music, etc. to the new phone. Service uninterrupted, the whole process took maybe 30 minutes—I had to wait longer than that at the provider store, just to speak to a person.

They have also worked on my tablets, and often answer questions or quick fix with no charge.

zauberflote

Iris, what a mess with the "dead battery" new phone, glad you have a replacement now. As to that online PDF owner's manual, can you print it out? If you can, at least you will be able to mark it up, and go from page 30 to page 17 without losing your place!

ladyzetta

Iris,     I am in the same fix you were in I also have a old phone and mine is also a LG on mine the top slides open I guess that could be a flip top.  It is at least 8 years old. I replaced it a few years ago and 5 days later I took it back to the phone store and had my old LG reopened. The only reason I thought I needed a different phone was because mine was so old. It still worked well and did everything I needed done. 

Now the time has come I need to replace it because it will freeze up on me and I can't use it for a few hours usually if I turn it on and off it will start up again but last week it froze up for the day. 

I will have a hard time buying a phone that will be user friendly to this old lady so my daughter is coming down this week end to help me go to the phone store and get me a new phone. I really don't want a new phone but also I don't want to be with out a phone.

I also don't like new things so please wish me good luck. Hugs Zetta