Apple's latest iPhones, unveiled this week, come with new features, better cameras and hefty price tags – including a folding model with a starting price of $1,999. If you're planning to splurge on a new iPhone 18, you will want to take care of it to make it last as long as possible.
Or save money by holding on to your current device, whether it is Apple or Android, to get the most life out of it.
As smartphone technology has matured and innovations have become more incremental, people have stopped buying into the idea that they need to upgrade to the newest phone. There is also an environmental push to keep old phones out of landfills as electronic waste becomes a larger sustainability issue. Modern smartphones are also just sturdier and better able to survive dunks and drops.
The typical smartphone replacement cycle is now four years, according to Counterpoint Research. Some device owners boast in online forums that they have had phones last more than seven years.
Here are some pointers on extending your phone's life:
