Apple Experts Agree: 7 Signs It’s Time To Upgrade Your iPhone

You want a new iPhone. You’ve been lusting after one for weeks or months but can’t take the plunge because you aren’t certain you can justify the cost. Sound familiar? 

If you’re the type of tech consumer who prefers to wait until you’ve out used your device or gadget before replacing it, then it helps to have a mental checklist of things you should be on the lookout for when it comes to an aging iPhone. Tech Expert Brian Jones, CEO and founder of Best in Edmonton, provides seven signs that it’s time to upgrade your iPhone. If you’re on the fence about buying something new and shiny, allow this list to inform your next purchase.

The most recent iOS software cannot be downloaded

It might not seem like a major concern at first to not have the most recent iOS software, Jones notes, however, there are additional benefits to updating your phone that go beyond the addition of new functions. “You run the danger of being exposed to viruses and other security threats if you don’t have the latest Apple software,” Jones said. If your phone won’t allow you to download the most recent software, that could prove a major issue. 

It no longer has accessories available

“You require a screen protector but are unable to locate one for your specific iPhone model,” Jones said. “It’s time for a new case, but there are just one or two options available in the shops. You were planning to get that car mount, but your iPhone doesn’t fit properly because it was designed for a different size iPhone.”

All of these examples could prove that your phone has outlived the accessories that can support it. 

Battery life degradation as smartphones

“Every time you replenish your smartphone’s battery after it runs out of power, its maximum capacity will be reduced slightly when it comes to charging,” Jones said. “One charge cycle is completed every moment you put in your cellphone to power when it has 70% or less juice because batteries can only withstand so many cycles of charging.”

Your phone may have reached the end of its line when it comes to maintaining a strong battery charge, in which case you may be better off replacing your device. 

The touch screen responds slowly

“It’s time to update to a smartphone that responds to you and cares for you if your smartphone has started to detect your taps and swipes as recommendations rather than instructions, reacting to a few while ignoring others,” Jones advises.

Your storage space is full

An iPhone’s memory cannot be expanded, unlike Android smartphones. “If you have an iPhone 6 or older standard model, you most likely only have 16GB of storage, which can be quickly used up if you download lots of apps,” Jones said. “You might experiment with methods like removing unused garbage folders and files, getting rid of outdated software, or transferring your video and photo library to the Cloud.”

Audio issues

“Even with a strong signal, if you’re having trouble being heard on conversations, the issue may not be with your connection but rather with your iPhone’s microphone,” Jones said. “Your voice can easily seem very quiet on calls if your microphone isn’t working properly. It can even make the sound keep cutting in and out frequently. Not the best for those crucial late-night conversations.”

Phone Defect

Jones says the most obvious sign that you should replace your iPhone is this one: you can put up with a broken housing, water-damaged unit, or cracked screen for a while, but you don’t know how long it will last. “Additionally, all of the data on your iPhone may be lost if it fully fails,” Jones said. “In case your phone is damaged in any way, you must make a backup of your data.”

If you’re experiencing one or more of these signs, consider replacing your iPhone and swapping it for a newer model — no guilt required.