Cell Phone Buying Guide

Here are four cases where it might be wise to buy a new phone instead of repairing or replacing parts of an old phone. 

Your Phone’s Performance Is Lagging
You can replace a cracked display or an anemic battery, but when you start to notice sluggish response times and other performance issues, even when your phone’s operating system (OS) is fully updated, it’s probably time to replace your device.

Your Phone No Longer Receives Security Updates
Security updates help patch vulnerabilities and keep you and your private information safer. But manufacturers stop offering security updates for the model you own after a certain number of years. If your phone is so old it’s no longer receiving those updates, it’s time to say goodbye.

Apple’s iOS 26, for example, supports models dating back to the iPhone 11, released in 2019. That means you’ll continue to get regular updates, including new features and security updates, for any iPhone sold since then. Samsung and Google offer up to seven years of updates for their most recent phones. For Android phones made by other manufacturers, operating system and security update policies often vary by device.

You’re Moving to a New Cell Phone Provider
If you do want a new phone, it often makes sense to buy one when switching providers, given the steep savings from new-customer offers. You can trade in an old phone to offset the cost of a new one or even receive a replacement at no additional cost.

That doesn’t mean you have to buy a new phone if you’re switching providers. Carriers are required to unlock your phone free of charge once you’ve paid off your device, which means you can bring your device along to another carrier. (In fact, if you move to a small, budget carrier, doing so could save you lots of money.)

You Want a Top-Notch Phone Camera and Display
The newest smartphones tend to offer only modest, iterative updates from the models released the year prior. Phone cameras and displays have been excellent in many smartphones for several generations now, so a slightly older device is unlikely to disappoint you. For instance, the camera on the iPhone 16 still earns near-top marks in our testing. Ditto for the Samsung Galaxy S24, which came out at the beginning of 2024.

But a new phone may be worth it if you want top-of-the-line features. Most phones now have multiple cameras for better wide-angle, zoom, and macro photography. Screens are continuing to improve, too. More phones have OLED screens, with vibrant colors and great contrast.

You can even purchase smartphones with book-like foldable displays that can double as a small tablet, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, or smaller pocket-friendly models that revive the classic flip form factor, like the Motorola Razr Ultra. Some manufacturers have also begun integrating AI features, such as generative photo editing and writing and editing tools, into their newest models.

Although most people tend to stick to the same OS—often due to personal preference or familiarity—it’s worth knowing all the facts. A switch could bring you additional features or a way of interacting with your digital stuff that’s more appealing than what you have now.