Several factors determine the longevity of phones: the battery life, outdated operating system (OS), screen, charge cycles, dust and foreign particles, and others.
If you’ve been using a smartphone for some time, you may be keen on finding answers to the question, How many years should a phone last?
In this guide, we’ll teach you all you need to know about this inquiry. One of the factors that determine how long your handset lasts is the way you use the device.
Some users handle their Android phones recklessly, and the smartphone — when used in this manner — can suffer the issue of a cracked screen sooner than expected, especially when no screen protector is keeping it safe.
Signs That Show Your Mobile Phone Is Dying
While some handsets can serve you up to five years, the average smartphone lasts 2 to 3 years. When your mobile device is at the twilight of its lifespan, it’ll start showing some signs of slowing down.
Here are some signs to look out for that show your precious phone is dying:
- Battery Life: This aspect of the tutorial on How many years should a phone last is an essential part of the smartphone.
Since batteries in all devices degrade over time, your phone battery life will also start decreasing in battery life and battery health over time. With degrading battery health, it becomes hard for your Android to maintain a full charge throughout the day.
Fortunately, with Carlcare’s battery replacement service, getting a new battery for your smartphone is so easy and stress-free.
- Shattered or Cracked Screen: When your device’s screen is cracked or shattered, you won’t be able to read what’s on the screen. If you try to use the device, the screen could cut your fingers.
Repairing the screen is often more cost-effective than buying a new phone altogether. Thankfully, Carlcare’s screen repair/replacement service has got you covered.
- Software and hardware issues: An integral part of this guide on How many years should a phone last is operating issues. The operating system is also a central part of your smartphone’s functionality, and you’ll get to know the importance of the OS when it has some bugs.
When your mobile device has such problems, it goes on and off in a random manner, crashes, and experiences other problems.
You can avoid such problems by ensuring your Android phone’s OS is updated.
Sometimes, you may encounter these issues even when your OS is up-to-date. That means your device hardware is the problem, and you need professional help from Carlcare’s certified technicians to fix the issue for you promptly.
- Heat: One of the most important facts about your phone battery to keep at your fingertips is that heat kills the battery since heat makes your battery work harder. For this reason, don’t put your handset in hot conditions. Also, avoid putting it in places that can become heated up pretty fast.
- Charge Cycles: This term represents the number of times your battery has been charged fully. On average, the phone battery has around 300 – 500 charge cycles, which is approximately 16 months of use (if you charge your phone once a day), based on how heavy your usage is and the charge frequency.
Other factors that can also come into play here include your battery type and battery capacity.
The implication of this is that with time, your battery may fail to hold a similar charge compared with when you first bought it, meaning the battery life will drop over time. And as you continue to use it after the 500th charge cycle, the battery could stop working altogether.
Four Ways to Increase Your Handset’s Lifespan
Users who ask How many years should a phone last also seek tips on how to improve their mobile device longevity.
1. Keep Dust and Foreign Particles Away
With time, dust and foreign particles can accumulate in your phone’s various ports. This is inexorable so long as there are buttons and internal hardware on the device.
To make your smartphone last longer, always keep it clean. You can make use of cotton swabs and microfiber cloth to get rid of some of the grime accumulated inside the phone. To clean the ports, use a little isopropyl alcohol.
To keep the inner and outer parts of your smartphone clean, Carlcare’s knowledgeable technicians are nearby in our service centers to help.
2. Use the Battery With Care
The battery can be regarded as the heart of the mobile phone; thus, charging it and discharging it now and then can reduce its longevity dramatically. Keep in mind that the charge cycles of an average battery lie between 300 – 500 cycles.
Hence, consider handling your phone’s battery with care and only charge it when necessary so it can last longer. Your battery — if well taken care of — can even serve you for five years.
3. Do Regular Software and Security Updates
Ensure you keep your phone’s software updated once newer versions are available. Newer software versions will typically work with newer hardware; hence, once your Android alerts you a software or security update is available, ensure you download and install it promptly so your smartphone can work at its best.
4. Handle Your Screen With Care
The screen isn’t the most attractive part of your device for nothing. It needs to be treasured and treated like an egg being the most delicate part as well. Most phones start having issues when they encounter the problem of a shattered or cracked screen.
To ensure your screen — and consequently your smartphone — lasts longer, use a screen protector.
Wrapping Up
By following the tips outlined in today’s post on How Many Years Should a Phone Last, you can improve your handset’s longevity. If you take adequate care of your smartphone, the device can even serve you up to five years.
