When buying a smartphone, one of the most important factors to consider is longevity. How long do smartphones last before they need to be replaced? And more importantly, what can you do to extend their lifespan? In this guide, we’ll compare the lifespan of different smartphone brands, key factors affecting durability, and best practices to maximize your phone’s life.

Average Smartphone Lifespan

The average smartphone lasts 2.5 to 3 years, but this can vary depending on the brand, battery health, and software support. Some high-end models can last up to 7 years with proper care.

Smartphones use rechargeable batteries that degrade with time. Each battery has a limited battery cycle count, and once the battery crosses that count, its capacity to hold charge depletes considerably. So even if you maintain your smartphone well, the battery will eventually degrade. 

Battery Life & Charge Cycles

Smartphones use lithium-ion batteries that have a limited number of charge cycles. One full charge cycle occurs when you use 100% of the battery’s capacity, whether in one charge or over multiple partial charges. Most phone batteries last 300 to 500 cycles before they start degrading.

 

Smartphone Lifespan by Brand

The smartphone market is saturated, so consumers have many options. Although the average lifespan of smartphones is 2.5 to 3 years, this figure varies from one brand to another. Let’s take a look at some brands below. 

Apple iPhones: 4 to 7 Years

• iPhones are known for their longevity, with Apple providing iOS updates for up to 7 years.

• Battery retains 80% capacity after 500 cycles.

• Regular software updates help optimize performance and security.

But that’s not the only reason why Apple’s smartphones last long compared to other Android phones. Across all models, Apple rolls out iOS software updates for seven years after the release, dramatically increasing the life of its smartphones. Software updates increase a phone’s lifespan because they fix bugs and crashes, enhance security, and optimize the device’s energy consumption.

Samsung Smartphones: 3 to 6 Years

• Samsung phones last 3 to 4 years on average, but high-end Galaxy models can reach 6 years.

• 4 years of security updates and 3 years of Android updates for newer models.

• Battery degradation starts after 400 to 500 charge cycles.

You can expect the higher-end smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy and Samsung Note, to easily last 3 to 4 years. They could last up to six years, but they won’t be running the latest software.

Google Pixel: 3 to 5 Years

• Google Pixel phones offer 3 years of Android updates and 5 years of security updates.

• Battery lasts around 500 cycles before noticeable degradation.

Depending on the model, you can expect your Google smartphone to last 3 to 5 years.  

 

The battery life and battery cycle are essential factors that impact a phone’s lifespan, but there are more aspects we’ll look at below.

Factors That Affect Smartphone Longevity

1. Battery Health – Frequent full discharges and overnight charging can shorten battery life.

2. Software Updates – Lack of OS and security updates can make a phone obsolete.

3. Physical Damage – Cracked screens and internal damage from drops can reduce usability.

4. Extreme Temperatures – High heat or extreme cold can degrade battery life.

 

How Do You Extend the Lifespan of Smartphones?

It doesn’t take much to extend the lifespan of your smartphone, and you’ll agree once you’ve read the points below. 

1. Good Charging Habits

Maintaining good charging habits is simple. For starters, don’t leave your phone charging overnight. 

Next, avoid charging it to 100% because holding all that charge increases mechanical tension in the smartphone battery and lowers its ability to retain power. Keep it charged between 40% to 80%. 

In terms of charging frequency, it’s best to charge lithium-ion batteries in brief intervals. So rather than charging from 0 to 100% at once, it’s better to do 5 or 10% charges now and then. Most importantly, don’t let the phone battery discharge completely because that’ll lower the battery’s overall life too. 

You’ll also want to keep the charging port clean because your device may not charge if it gets clogged with dust. You can use a can of compressed air or a bulb syringe to clean out the port. 

2. Optimized Battery Usage

This is like turning off the lights when you leave a room — don’t leave apps running on your phone if you’re not using them, especially performance-intensive apps, like graphic-heavy games or video editing apps. 

If you’re not using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, turn them off, but if you can choose between cellular data and Wi-Fi, stay on Wi-Fi because it consumes less power. Remember to turn off push notifications and location tracking on apps when they’re not needed. 

Lastly, turn off your personal hotspot when you’re not using it. 

3. Latest Software

With the latest software on your smartphone, you’ll enjoy optimized battery usage, smarter utilization of the device’s resources, enhanced security, and a brilliant user experience. The updates will also fix bugs and crashes. 

4. Physical Protection

It’s challenging to prevent this completely, but try not to drop your phone. The standard safety measures are getting a robust case (preferably non-slip) and installing a screen protector. 

While holding the phone, two hands are better than one, especially if you’re outdoors or around people who may bump into you. It’s safe not to use your phone in places with slick floors, like the bathroom, because you might slip and drop the phone on the floor. 

You’ll want to be extra cautious around bodies of water. Most high-end phones are water-resistant (not waterproof), so you can submerge them to shallow depths for short periods (30 minutes). But cross that range, and you’ll risk causing water damage to your device. 

People can trip on charging cables and hurt themselves (and the phone), so place your charger and phone in a spot where people won’t have to walk over the cable. 

And when it comes to carrying your phone around, don’t put it in your pocket unless it fits in securely. Pockets with zippers are ideal, but avoid tiny pockets that’ll make your phone stick out. 

5. Right Temperatures

It’s best to use your smartphone in ambient temperatures of 32º to 95º F. Never leave your phone in the car on hot days, and avoid placing it in hot spaces, like a window that gets plenty of sunlight, or frigid places, like the freezer. 

How Long Do Refurbished Smartphones Last?

Refurbished smartphones will last as long as new devices, but it primarily depends on when you bought the phone and its release date.

Refurbished phones are used devices that are completely repaired and put through extensive quality checks to function like brand-new phones. These devices have their data wiped, customizations removed, software updated, and physical damages repaired. If the quality of the phone’s replaceable battery has diminished, then a new battery is inserted to get the phone back up and running. 

Unlike second-hand phones that individuals sell, refurbished phones are repaired, tested, and sold by the manufacturer or a retailer. You’ll find that popular smartphone brands, like Apple, provide refurbished iPhones in their stores and even have trade-in programs for old phones.  

Based on the quality of repairs, there are several refurbished grades among these phones, but internally, they’ll all perform properly — no changes to the specs. 

A refurbished phone is more affordable than a new one, but it performs like a new device and comes with a warranty. 

Why Should You Use Refurbished Smartphones?

Refurbished smartphones last between 2.5 to 3 years or more, but they’re a more environmentally friendly option compared to buying a new smartphone. Since 2014, manufacturers have sold over 1 billion smartphones every year. Most people can’t imagine the resources needed to manufacture these devices — copper, lithium, tellurium, cobalt, manganese, and many other minerals and metals. 

One part of the problem’s the extraction process itself, but device disposal further adds to environmental degradation. Only a tiny portion of electronic waste is recycled, while the majority is dumped in landfills or burnt. 

Refurbishing phones and using them is a way to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing the phones. By opting for refurbished phones, we promote environmental sustainability. All major smartphone brands offer refurbished options, so refurbished Samsung phones or OnePlus devices won’t be hard to find. 

Good Usage Habits Will Make Your Phone Last

The average smartphone will last between 2.5-3 years, but with excellent usage habits, you can extend your device’s life to 4-7 years. 

To make your smartphone last longer, practice battery-friendly charging, optimized battery usage, using the latest software, and ensuring protection from extreme temperatures and physical damage. 

Refurbished phones can perform and last as long as new phones but are cheaper and more environmentally friendly. If you want to purchase an excellent refurbished smartphone for a reasonable price, send us a quick message today. We’ll work with you to offer a quote for the smartphones that fit your wallet.