96% percent of Americans own a phone, making cell phones the most popular device at home and in the office. This number shows an 81% increase since 2011 when only 35% of people owned a smartphone. Phones today play a more critical role as work shifts from an office environment to a remote one. With the rising costs of new cell phones, does it make sense to purchase the latest model?
Whether you prefer an iPhone or Android or use your device for work or personal reasons, you’ll want to make a reasonable, cost-effective decision about upgrading your phone. Keep reading!
When Is the Correct Time to Consider a Cell Phone Upgrade?
Many consumers hold onto their phones for over three years before getting a new one—should you be among them? Before deciding to upgrade your favorite smartphone, examine our list of pros and cons.
Con: New Technology Means a Steep Learning Curve
If you use your device for work or find it difficult to get used to new tech, the latest smartphone could cause a temporary loss in productivity. Things will get easier once you get used to the new operating system and features.
New phones are paired with a brand-new operating system release. This may lead to buggy software that can make it harder to use the phone.
Pro: New Technology May Increase Productivity
A phone upgrade can give you access to more application features, better functionality, and faster response time. These factors can increase your productivity and make collaboration and communication quicker. New tech could also make your personal and work life easier.
Con: New Phones Are Expensive
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when looking at the prices of some newly released cell phone models. A new cell phone can sometimes cost up to $2,000. Since large manufacturers release new models every year, one may be tempted to go over budget.
Pro: Think About the Hidden Costs of Your Old Phone
A new cell phone might be expensive at first, but it could save you money in the long run. With faster performance, better battery life, and enhanced security, you can work smarter rather than harder.
In today’s cybercrime-filled world, hackers are targeting cell phones to launch cyber attacks. There has been a 37% rise in phone phishing attacks in the last six months. A new phone will have the most recent and protective security protocols to keep sensitive personal and work information safe. On the other hand, using an outdated cell phone can put your data at risk of loss or theft. This can be very costly, both professionally and personally.
