Apple’s iPhone 14 can detect car crashes and talk to satellites in case of an emergency and it now comes in yellow, too. Google’s new Pixel Fold bends in half, plus makes talking on the phone — especially with customer service agents — less of a headache. And some of Samsung’s fanciest models let you write on them with sophisticated styluses.
These can sound pretty tempting, but do you actually need a new one?
A new smartphone is a major purchase that can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000. The companies that make and sell the devices would like you to believe it’s necessary to shell out for a new one every couple of years. In reality, a smartphone can live a long and fulfilling life with proper maintenance and, if needed, a few repairs.
[Everything we know about the Pixel Fold, 7a and Google’s new tablet]
Go easy on your wallet and the environment by only buying new devices when you really need them. To help you decide when that time has come, the Help Desk has made this quiz to guide you.
Question 1 of 5
How old is your phone?
To find the date of purchase for a new iPhone, log into Apple’s support site and select your device. For an Android phone, log into the Play Store or your Google Account. If you bought a used phone, use the year that model was released.
Question 2 of 5
Is anything wrong with your phone?
Question 3 of 5
How important is camera quality to you?
Question 4 of 5
What features are you currently missing and willing to spend money for?
Question 5 of 5
How important is it that you be seen with the newest phone?
You need to answer every question to see your result. You’re missing questions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
