Cutting cost: Do we really need the latest smartphone?

[Kcrypto18]

In my opinion these phones sell status rather than quality.

I think this pretty much sums it up. To me, the amount of new features does not justify the rate in which these new models are being released. I would rather save money for other things and wait to replace my phone when my current one actually has issues. With today's economic conditions, this is likely the stance many people will begin to take.

However, there will always be those who go for the latest model because they buy into the hype and trend. Having the newest model among a group of peers can be a symbol of status, especially since newer models also means higher prices.

[Roseline492]

Personally, I do not need the latest smartphone or other gadgets if the older versions are still very functional and it has no impact on my job. Extending this further, I do not need the latest car model of any brand if mine still works perfectly well and doesn't directly impact on the job. However, of I can afford the latest smartphone and gadgets, cars because I want to spoil myself and it wouldn't impact on my financials then, why not. Yolo right?

Likewise me I cannot be looking for an upgraded version of my smartphone when the one I'm actually using is working perfectly fine besides sometimes when they talk about the upgraded version some persons will start thinking that there is a whole lot of things inside it without knowing that is just almost the same thing as there current one, actually is just funny that most people do not even no what to do with there money because I have seen people who changes smartphones on a regular basis, any moment they introduce a latest smartphone they would always make sure they get it, I don't no why most people do that but I think is a kind of way to show off to there friends that they have the money. Though there is nothing wrong in getting new things or upgrading ourselves to another level but those things are not important if there is no need for it.

[WillyAp]

I got an Ulefone 5 inch rugged phone now in its 3rd year.
The button I had to glue on, the battery lasts now 2 days, (no instagram tiktok on that phone) When new 5 days was the norm.
I reckon next year I need to look for a new one.
Its entirely up to you if you believe that you need the newest version of xxx phone.

[Lanatsa]

Personally, I do not need the latest smartphone or other gadgets if the older versions are still very functional and it has no impact on my job. Extending this further, I do not need the latest car model of any brand if mine still works perfectly well and doesn't directly impact on the job. However, of I can afford the latest smartphone and gadgets, cars because I want to spoil myself and it wouldn't impact on my financials then, why not. Yolo right?

Likewise me I cannot be looking for an upgraded version of my smartphone when the one I'm actually using is working perfectly fine besides sometimes when they talk about the upgraded version some persons will start thinking that there is a whole lot of things inside it without knowing that is just almost the same thing as there current one, actually is just funny that most people do not even no what to do with there money because I have seen people who changes smartphones on a regular basis, any moment they introduce a latest smartphone they would always make sure they get it, I don't no why most people do that but I think is a kind of way to show off to there friends that they have the money. Though there is nothing wrong in getting new things or upgrading ourselves to another level but those things are not important if there is no need for it.

The key on here is that, why would be needing a new one if the current phone you do have is perfectly working fine or really just that still doing good on what intended to be? It is really just that because of human nature that not wanting on getting left behind on whats the current trend on which what makes them having that kind of behavior on buying something or with the latest one. Somehow it cant really be denied that there would really be those individuals that wanting or loving to have those things no matter what the cost, and the worst they would really be taking up some loan for them to be able to acquire those things on which we know that this is something a very common human being behavior or trait and there's nothing we can do about it. Sooner or later they would really be able to feel out into the things or actions that they had made specially if you do consider yourself included into those individuals who are living into that average to poor conditions.

If you are somewhat rich or wealthy person then it wouldnt really be that an issue on having this kind of trait since you could be able to afford and wont really be compromising your financial condition then this wont be an issue but if you are someone whose really that living on paycheck to paycheck then this would really be a huge problem and this is something that you do need to think up well and act accordingly.
It is really that understandable that there would really be things that we do want in life but control and moderation will really be much needed on this case.

[GiftedMAN]

It will not be a bad economic decision to reconsider and adjust our craving for these new products especially if they will not be beneficial financially.

Looking at the current economic situation in my country I do not think most people who claim to be poor will think of going to get the newly released set op smart phones this is because the prices are so high that it takes someone who is a millionaire to afford the phones because the prices ranges from millions. Using my country Nigeria as a point of reference, there are high numbers of content creators who have been making huge amounts of money from Facebook, YouTube, X and Tiktok and they mostly make use of iPhones because of the camera and other features which helps in their video quality and good editing so I think the online content creators will definitely be buying more of the latest smartphones since they are always making money with the help of the phones.

I still remember someone who came online to claim that his G wagon of 200million was bought with the money he made from shooting content with his iPhone 15, he actually made the statement when people were comparing the amount of the latest smartphones to the amount of getting a landed property that will generate more money in the future. If the phones are useless to the buyers I don't think they will keep on getting the newer versions when ever it is produced.

[Franctoshi]

Recently Google launched the latest Pixel 9 handset, while Apple unveiled the iPhone 16. Samsung has also come up with its foldable phones, the Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 and Huawei just launched the Mate XT. The marketing sections of these companies are doing everything possible to make us buy these phones even when we don't need them.  

A close look at the latest versions of these phones shows that they have slight differences from the previous generation. The major difference is that these new phones have advanced AI features and improved camera quality. Poor economic conditions and awareness about the little upgrades in advanced models might have started contributing to the continuous decline in the sale of phones globally. This claim correlates with Counterpoint findings that “Consumers are holding on to their smartphones for longer periods because upgrades are offering limited differentiation in features.”


Source

But I know some set of people who will always go for the new generation of phones. It is like a yearly ritual that they must buy the latest model of their phone. I have seen some go as far as buying these phones on credit because they don't have enough funds to pay. The most troubling part of it is that they are not using these phones for business or any productive activities.

It will not be a bad economic decision to reconsider and adjust our craving for these new products especially if they will not be beneficial financially.

Reference

I don't just buy phones for the case of trying to use the latest iPhone, Samsung galaxy series, or any other brand of Android phones in the market, but rather I buy phones base on need ,what it can do for me, in term of memory space, internet processing speeds, long lasting battery capacity, if you're someone into studio or video editing, think of buying iPhones, Samsung Z Fold series ,these are phones with sharp cameras, phones should be bought base on need and problem solving, if you're into graphics design, if you're a traders you need fast Internet processing phones, but here in my country, I have seen a some people who bought phones that aren't solving their problems, rather just to show off.

[Rockstarguy]

But I know some set of people who will always go for the new generation of phones. It is like a yearly ritual that they must buy the latest model of their phone. I have seen some go as far as buying these phones on credit because they don't have enough funds to pay. The most troubling part of it is that they are not using these phones for business or any productive activities.

It will not be a bad economic decision to reconsider and adjust our craving for these new products especially if they will not be beneficial financially.

Reference

It is a wrong financial decision getting an expensive phone that doesn't generate income or good value, it is a total waste of money. I think the reason for getting these expensive phones are for purpose either for contents which requires a good quality camera,  or even for tech works, trading etc. When are expensive phones are use for work purposes the money that was use in getting the phone is not a waste because it is generating good incomes in return but when the phone is used for nothing and after some years the worth of the phone will reduce because when you compare the money used in purchasing the phone and it current price it is not the same.

The people who are producing these phones they know what they are doing because technology is getting more advanced every day but some people choose to get these phones for formalities just to meet up with the latest trend.

[Questat]

It depends on your current preference. If you still have a good and useful one, why need to acquire a new one when you can still use and make benefit with the old one? It's okay if you have a spare money to spend on something you don't actually needed the most, but if you're still on a tight budget, I suggest just stick with your old smartphone because as long as it can still serve its purpose, then it's not practical to buy another one just for the sake that you can ride with the trend.

[Findingnemo]

It's been more than a year and a half since I changed my primary device and I also held another one for 4 years now which is pretty much capable of doing any tasks I do and definitely, I won't be an Apple guy ever for personal reasons. At some phase, we have been doing that but we all past the period and unfortunately it takes forever for most people.

People who are rich or making in five figures can buy that one if they want to but buying it when there is more important things to do on the waiting list is poor financial decision and mostly it happens due to peer perssure, someone in your circle bought it so you have to buy it now or you will be less to them.

[Agbamoni]

I don't see any need to change our smartphone based on industry trends if it works well for us, doing everything we intend to use a smartphone for. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with getting the latest smartphones because of the new features or to show off, as long as they are financially capable of buying them and still be stable financially. All hands are not equal so if I see someone whose hands are enough to buy the latest smartphone no matter how expensive it is then there is no need for me to judge them.

Besides everything I am a smartphone lover, and I always wanted to be a witness to the Laters features in the brand I am using Samsung then. But I stopped after I noticed that there's now competition between these brands which has made them not do anything interesting in the new smartphone. All they do now is either enhance camera quality, remove the notch, change the build, and make it more interactive. Nothing is interesting anymore in the new smartphones that is why I am satisfied with my current smartphones.

[uneng]

It's been more than a year and a half since I changed my primary device and I also held another one for 4 years now which is pretty much capable of doing any tasks I do and definitely, I won't be an Apple guy ever for personal reasons. At some phase, we have been doing that but we all past the period and unfortunately it takes forever for most people.

I've been keeping my Samsung Smartphone since 2018 and I expect to continue using it while it's still working. I already notice some delays and lack of internal storage on the device, but I think I can make last a little longer yet... If customers were more conservative on this matter, the industry would feel pressured to manufacture goods with superior durability, otherwise, customers wouldn't purchase the product.

But since most people don't care, and just accept buying a new cellphone each new year, the industry maintains their strategy of holding current technology available to be launched only on the next year, on the next edition. It means that what is being launched right now, must have been available since the last Iphone was launched (or who knows, even before...).

[Alone055]

It obviously doesn't make sense for someone who can't afford it to buy a new smartphone only because they want to have the latest version. It's not an app or something which if you don't have the latest version won't work. If you have a working phone that is okay and does all the work that you need done then you should be okay.

It should only be people who can easily afford to buy these new and expensive gadgets who should be doing it. If I'm not earning a lot of money, and I know I can't afford to spend so much money on something that I don't need but I want. Only millionaires and those people who have their futures secured can afford to spend money on what they want, people like me and many others who earn some money, pay the bills, bear monthly expenses, and need money again the next month can't do shit like this.

Those who are buying new smartphones using credits are out of their minds and they lack two things in their lives, future planning, and proper guidance.

[mirakal]

If this is your key towards your knowledge acquisition and financial productivity, then you need to have the latest smartphone. That will be a good motivation for you because aside that you have the most featured and best quality smartphone, you can also use it to your best advantage.

However, if this is just part of your personal collection because you don't want to miss the latest unit of smartphone regardless if you still have a good quality and well-functioned smartphone, I should say you are just trying to waste your money on something that won't be giving you the highest advantage when it comes to money acquisition. Know when to buy a new one, and when not to. At the end of the day, its value will just depreciate every time a new unit will be released, it will be a loss for you then.

[Churchillvv]

As long as my current gadget can do everything I need, there is no need to satisfy my wants.

The difference between wants and needs is the major issue with people and that has left many to keep purchasing latest release models of their gadgets, some just get them for absolutely no reason. I know someone who just gets the latest phone for no specific reason even though I know his so wealthy that he can afford to get this latest gadget as much as he wants but I still feel it's just waste of money but if you have the capacity you can do what you want afterall you have only one life to live. 

[justdimin]

I know people that get crazy and that's their goal, to be always on the latest trend.
Having this type of belief is the fastest way to get poorer. Why so? that is because if this type of hobby isn't in line with your income.
You're pleasing people and much worse, you'll take loans just to get ahead of time from the others that are happy with their old gizmos without having to think of paying a debt or a loan.

That makes absolutely no sense at all but they still do it and I have no idea why they do that. We should definitely see this as different and because of that I think we should see this as something that will take a while and we can't really make that much situation at all. The reality is that we are dealing with something about society and some people think that having the latest things gives them some status, when in reality it has nothing to do with that at all, it is not a reason to be happy at all but some people feel that granitization for a second and they spend so much for that.

Spending money is something we all do, but doing it on useless stuff makes no sense to me, spend it on living and doing something good, you will live a better life. Get a cheaper phone, and use the rest for a vacation, the vacation will end but the phone stays with you however the vacation means you had a good memory in your life, you lived, when you die, your memories will be what's left of you, not your possessions.

[ITExpert]

I could afford any smart phone without worrying about my financials, but that is not the reason why I don't buy a new phone. After a point in time the newer ones stopped getting better in any major sense. My Google Pixel 3a does mostly the same as the newest version and has  almost just as good a quality of a camera.

Sure. if I were a enthusiast I would care about every little detail but I am not so I don't.

If your income is good then you can get a new phone no problem. The difference is whether the phone you have is good or not.  If yes then you can get a phone to fulfill your wish.  But if you say that I want more than one phone and that too if there is no work on it that will benefit you, then it is of no use, so you better invest your money in something good, which is what you will get tomorrow.  can benefit  I have seen this phone but not played it and heard it's praises. That its camera is very good but it also has its disadvantages.  And it's his panel that deals a lot of damage once broken.

[Cryptoprincess101]

Personally, I do not need the latest smartphone or other gadgets if the older versions are still very functional and it has no impact on my job. Extending this further, I do not need the latest car model of any brand if mine still works perfectly well and doesn't directly impact on the job. However, of I can afford the latest smartphone and gadgets, cars because I want to spoil myself and it wouldn't impact on my financials then, why not. Yolo right?

Likewise me I cannot be looking for an upgraded version of my smartphone when the one I'm actually using is working perfectly fine besides sometimes when they talk about the upgraded version some persons will start thinking that there is a whole lot of things inside it without knowing that is just almost the same thing as there current one, actually is just funny that most people do not even no what to do with there money because I have seen people who changes smartphones on a regular basis, any moment they introduce a latest smartphone they would always make sure they get it, I don't no why most people do that but I think is a kind of way to show off to there friends that they have the money. Though there is nothing wrong in getting new things or upgrading ourselves to another level but those things are not important if there is no need for it.

You are right about not needing an upgraded version of phone when the one in your possession is still in good condition but as the new versions of phones are upgraded that's how the older ones becomes outdated and in life there is always need to do things better and I believe that is why most of the phone brands like Apple phones upgrade their version every year though it's not as if there is any major changes in the upgraded ones. I don't think people who seek to get upgraded versions of phones are people who don't know what to do with money except if it involves someone who is not financially buoyant.

[Ultegra134]

It obviously doesn't make sense for someone who can't afford it to buy a new smartphone only because they want to have the latest version. It's not an app or something which if you don't have the latest version won't work. If you have a working phone that is okay and does all the work that you need done then you should be okay.

It should only be people who can easily afford to buy these new and expensive gadgets who should be doing it. If I'm not earning a lot of money, and I know I can't afford to spend so much money on something that I don't need but I want. Only millionaires and those people who have their futures secured can afford to spend money on what they want, people like me and many others who earn some money, pay the bills, bear monthly expenses, and need money again the next month can't do shit like this.

Those who are buying new smartphones using credits are out of their minds and they lack two things in their lives, future planning, and proper guidance.

Usually doesn't work that way; as someone already mentioned, some people do it for status recognition. I've seen a decent number of people buying such expensive devices who actually can barely afford them and will constantly whine about not having money. If you ask them, the majority will reply that they are taking advantage of their "advanced" features, but in reality, a much simpler and cheaper device would suffice. They do it because they're show-offs, and because luxury items temporarily saturate their thirst for the latest gadgets. I had my previous phone for almost three years; it was a basic Motorola with stock Android, whose battery lasted over two or even three days. I wouldn't have changed it if I wasn't gifted a new one, which is still a mid-range phone with which I'm satisfied as well.

I remember seeing an interview or article from a luxury clothing and accessories brand, such as Gucci, claiming that it's not their rich customers making the majority of the purchases, but those who want to look rich.

[fuguebtc]

To be fair, constantly changing our phones doesn't do us any favors other than showing off and asserting our style. But there is nothing wrong with owning and changing the latest phone or car models if we have stable finances because that is also the way we enjoy life when we achieve success in life .

In my opinion, it all depends on each person's needs, preferences and financial situation . If someone can easily buy and own it as a cheap item for them, then there is no waste . We consider it a waste just because it is beyond our financial capacity, and beyond our spending capacity, but for many people it is not a big problem .

[Yatsan]

Recently Google launched the latest Pixel 9 handset, while Apple unveiled the iPhone 16. Samsung has also come up with its foldable phones, the Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 and Huawei just launched the Mate XT. The marketing sections of these companies are doing everything possible to make us buy these phones even when we don't need them.  

A close look at the latest versions of these phones shows that they have slight differences from the previous generation. The major difference is that these new phones have advanced AI features and improved camera quality. Poor economic conditions and awareness about the little upgrades in advanced models might have started contributing to the continuous decline in the sale of phones globally. This claim correlates with Counterpoint findings that “Consumers are holding on to their smartphones for longer periods because upgrades are offering limited differentiation in features.”


Source

But I know some set of people who will always go for the new generation of phones. It is like a yearly ritual that they must buy the latest model of their phone. I have seen some go as far as buying these phones on credit because they don't have enough funds to pay. The most troubling part of it is that they are not using these phones for business or any productive activities.

It will not be a bad economic decision to reconsider and adjust our craving for these new products especially if they will not be beneficial financially.

Reference

You collect data on the smartphone industry and user's behavior. Sure, fresh versions seldom come out with enhancements. That makes it difficult for the consumer to justify spending money. Especially during recession times. Waiting a little longer is evidence of better insight into the fact that different features are two distinct items. This might be due to preference change.

The last cell phone is bought but can only be obtained by credit. It celebrates a cultural obsession and the threat of obliterating fiscal accountability. In many respects, the desire for new technology It is costly. This needs to be considered in your future fiscal well-being. Encouraging more restraint around technology purchasing will enable consumers to make choices that are more aligned with their specific requirements rather than those that are forced upon them due to societal pressure. It could be useful to create a discussion around sustainability and true value of such innovations. In particular, if there is no productivity acceleration.

To be fair, constantly changing our phones doesn't do us any favors other than showing off and asserting our style. But there is nothing wrong with owning and changing the latest phone or car models if we have stable finances because that is also the way we enjoy life when we achieve success in life .

In my opinion, it all depends on each person's needs, preferences and financial situation . If someone can easily buy and own it as a cheap item for them, then there is no waste . We consider it a waste just because it is beyond our financial capacity, and beyond our spending capacity, but for many people it is not a big problem .

And then there is the issue of personal luck and financial responsibility - for those, of course, who can upgrade their equipment without affecting their profits. One rewards oneself with the latest technology, a selfish way to celebrate success and to express personal style.

Again, the ultimate decision lies in a personal preference. This is because different people have varied priorities and discomfort levels over expenditure. A decision if well-informed, of appropriate suitability to your finances, and resonates with value. Nothing is wrong with upgrading. Different conversations pertaining to smart spending can make people take a step back and then later on seek to strike a fair balance in affording the fun life and being financially smart.