For gadget fans, having the latest and greatest is part of the experience. It’s a fantastic feeling to unbox a new device, whether it’s a phone, smart display or something else, take it out of the box and start exploring its new features.
Some of that gold has faded for me recently, as spiraling costs and barely perceptible upgrades mean there’s little incentive to splash the cash on the next model. That’s why I won’t be updating any of my tech in 2023, and I suggest you might want to take a similar approach.
Unnecessary updates
One of the biggest determinants of no need to upgrade is the simple fact that laptops, PCs, phones and tablets from the last two years (maybe even longer) offer an excellent level of performance for everyday use.
Of course, if I want to edit a movie on a Chromebook, I’ll be tearing my hair out in minutes. But I don’t edit videos, so that’s not a problem. Same goes for stabilized video on the newer iPhones which would allow me to record smooth video while chasing someone on a skateboard. Again, this isn’t really something that happens too often in our house.
Manufacturers often announce new products on the promise of an exciting lifestyle where you can capture mountaintop moments, launch a new business from your kitchen, or set your personal record for a triathlon as the sun sets. lying on a Californian beach.
The reality of using these products is much more mundane. I just need to message my wife at Morrisons to find out what veggies we need, snap a pic of a nice night sky while walking the dog, and listen to podcasts and audiobooks. Those are pretty much the limits I push my phone to.
Sometimes I can perform more demanding tasks, but for day-to-day tasks that make up 95% of my tech demands (and, surely, many people do), my current phone – a Xiaomi 12 Lite – performs just fine.
Same goes for my laptop. I’ve been using a Chromebook for about a year now as my daily device. With it, I can write articles, edit photos, watch Netflix, shop online, plan my novel, and even record my podcast without much effort.
My co-host edits the podcast, but it wouldn’t be easier if I had a MacBook Pro. You see, so many of the services and software I need for freelancing and my personal hobbies are all online, which means the need for a powerful new computer isn’t that high.
Foundry
With that in mind, I’ll stick with my HP Chromebook x360 14C.
Likewise, I have no intention of leaving my Amazfit GTS Mini 2 smartwatch. All three devices allow me to work, rest and play without feeling like I’m missing anything or have need to spend more money to buy better “toys”.
Would a $1,000/£1,000 iPhone do anything better? Probably. Will I notice the difference as far as it’s worth the price? I doubt.
Disadvantages of using old devices
There are often comments and speculations about planned obsolescence creeping into technology. In some cases this is justified, such as when manufacturers limit security updates after only a few years, leaving your device open to exploits that hackers can use and making your phone, tablet or laptop potentially unsafe to continue. use it.
But even that is addressed across the board, with most manufacturers now offering three, four, or even five years worth of updates.
And if you keep your phone in a protective case and use screen protectors, it’ll probably last as long as security updates come in, barring a serious accident. The laptops should also have a long lifespan, and the only real weakness of both devices is the battery.
Take care of your gear and you shouldn’t have to worry about it running out too soon.
And the longer it lasts, the longer you have to save. And that means when it’s time to buy a replacement, your funds should allow for a better performing model. This is also important, as you will see below.
Why technology is getting more expensive?
It’s true that prices have been rising on flagship phones over the past few years, but the current financial climate around the world has made the situation even worse. Recently, Apple has increased the prices of many of its products, with only US consumers protected from the impact of various cost-driving factors.
We’ve seen this happen in the mid-range as well, with phones and laptops not seeming to offer the same kind of value we’ve grown accustomed to. Google, to be fair, bucked that trend with the Pixel 6a, which is a great, surprisingly affordable phone that’s often discounted at around $350/£350.
You can also find excellent phones from Chinese manufacturers such as Xiaomi and OnePlus, which offer excellent value. The only problem is that most of them are not available in the United States.
Current issues contributing to rising costs, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the ripple effect that has had on global fuel prices, runaway inflation, as well as the continued disruption of the manufacturing and distribution chain due to covid, won’t be around forever.
But, if we’ve learned anything from the past, it’s that once prices go up, they rarely go back to where they were before. So, it looks like we’ll have to get used to spending more on technology, which is another reason why it’s a good idea to keep devices longer than you previously could have.
Buy refurbished rather than new
If I really need to replace something, maybe because a phone was dropped and the screen shattered, my preference right now is to go the refurbished route. It allows you to get a flagship model from a year or two ago, but at a much more attractive price.
It is also much safer to buy refurbished. Gone are the days of having to take a risk on a used phone or laptop on eBay, as there is a wide range of specialists who offer fully functional refurbished equipment, along with warranties and warranties. And yes, you can also buy them on eBay.
For example, a Samsung Galaxy S20 from two years ago costs as little as $200 / £215 now. But you still get a device that can easily compete with the latest phones thanks to the fact that, as I said, recent updates and improvements have been minimal.
You can check out our roundup of the best refurbished phone deals to see how much you can save on other Samsung phones and, of course, iPhones.
If You’ve Never Considered a Refurbished Device, Here’s Where to Buy One
With salaries not keeping up with inflation and household bills continuing to rise, you may well be in the same situation as me, hanging on to existing devices longer before investing in new technology.
Not only will you save your money, but it also means those older devices won’t end up in a landfill before they need them. Of course, the lure of gloss will always touch us, but stay strong, dear reader. After all, there will be a shiny novelty coming next year.
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