There are two types of people: those who upgrade to new devices when something shiny catches their eye, and those who wait until their beloved gadgets finally bite the dust before upgrading.
When it comes to phones, there are warning signs that yours is on its way. My recommendation: save your money and wait until you can say "Yes" to most of the posts on this list before purchasing a new one.
Delayed:Remember when your apps ran smoothly? Now transitions can feel like slow motion replays. New phones come with up to 12 GB of RAM for fast multitasking. Older models with 2 GB or less cannot compete.
Battery Blue:If your phone is craving juice in the afternoon after being fully charged in the morning, that's a big sign. The average smartphone battery retains up to 80% of its charging capacity after 500 full charge cycles.
- Action steps:Dive into your phone's battery status settings. If your battery capacity is less than 80%, it's time to decide.
Storage Wars:The dreaded “Inventory almost full” message is more than just an annoyance. With app sizes increasing and high-resolution 4K videos becoming the norm, even 64GB of storage can feel cramped pretty quickly.
- Action steps:Use cloud backups and offload unused apps. Still busy? Time for a stock upgrade.
Cameraproblemen:If the photos you take with your phone look like memories from 2010, there's a problem. Optical image stabilization and larger sensors have revolutionized phone photography.
- Action steps:Clean your phone's camera lenses regularly to get the clearest photos possible.
Update stirring:If you missed the last two operating system (OS) updates, whether you're on Android or an iPhone, you're on borrowed time. Manufacturers typically support devices for about 4 to 5 years.
- Action steps:No more updates? Sorry, but it's time to say goodbye. This is a non-negotiable certainty.
Connection Frustration:Frequent signal drops aren't always your provider's fault. Newer phones have better antennas and support more frequency bands.
- Action steps:Check for software updates. If your signal is good but your call strength is not, consider upgrading.
Briefly:I upgrade with every new iPhone release (at my own expense) because it's my job to stay on top of the latest technology. For most people it really isn't necessary. As long as your phone gets the job done and still receives OS updates, you'll be fine.
What happens if you take a Chinese smartphone to an unsafe place? You takeHuaweito the danger zone.
FAQs
Strange noises or interference during phone calls, as well as a battery that is depleting more quickly than usual, are some of the signs that show that your phone might be monitored.
Can you tell if your phone is being monitored? ›
Strange noises or interference during phone calls, as well as a battery that is depleting more quickly than usual, are some of the signs that show that your phone might be monitored.
What is the 3 digit number to see if your phone is tapped? ›
Fortunately, there's a code (netmonitor code) that helps you identify whether or not you're being tracked or tapped. To confirm this, dial any of the codes below for your phone's operating system: For Android devices, dial: *#*#197328640#*#* or *#*#4636#*#* For iPhones, dial: *3001#12345#*
How do I know my phone is dying? ›
6 signs your phone is on its last legs
- Lagging: Remember when your apps ran seamlessly? ...
- Battery blues: If your phone's gasping for juice by midday after being fully charged in the morning, it's a big sign. ...
- Storage wars: The dreaded “Storage Almost Full” notification is more than an annoyance.
Press *#*#4636#*#* or *#*#197328640#*#* to see if anyone is watching your movements. These are Utility Net Monitor Codes. Dialing these codes can tell you if you're being tracked or monitored through your mobile phone.
Does *#21 tell you if your phone is tapped? ›
No, dialing *#21# on your phone does not indicate that your phone is being tapped. This code is often misunderstood due to misinformation circulating online. In reality, *#21# is a service code for checking the status of call forwarding on your phone.
Can someone watch you through your phone without you knowing? ›
Yes, with the right software or spyware, it's possible for someone to watch you through your smartphone's camera and record what they see.
What percent should you charge your phone? ›
The best practice for preserving phone battery health is to plug it in at around 20% and charge it up to 80-90%. This is especially important if you use fast charging, as charging from 0% will cause a lot of heat, and from 80% up, fast charging becomes less efficient.
How often should you replace your phone? ›
How Long Should a Cell Phone Last? Most cell phones should last for two or three years, but factors like wear and tear and the make and model determine whether devices will meet or exceed those limits.
How many years does a phone battery last? ›
Typically, a modern phone battery's (lithium-ion) lifespan is 2 – 3 years, which is about 300 – 500 charge cycles as rated by manufacturers. After that, the battery capacity will drop by roughly 20%.
What can I do to prevent my phone from being tracked?
- Use antivirus software. ...
- Use a VPN. ...
- Don't use a public WiFi network. ...
- Turn off location settings for certain apps. ...
- Check your Google account. ...
- Use a strong password. ...
- Enable biometrics and 2-factor authentication. ...
- Keep your phone updated.
Can someone spy on your phone without you knowing? Yes, if they had physical access to your phone and installed monitoring software.
Can someone else see what I'm doing on my phone? ›
Can Someone Listen to My Conversations? With the right spyware, yes. Unfortunately, someone could realistically download spyware onto your phone and eavesdrop on your conversations without much effort. All they would need is access to your device and a few minutes to complete the download.
Can someone see you through your phone screen? ›
Mobile spyware is malware that allows hackers to steal information and watch anything within view of your phone camera. It can also enable them to access your microphone, location, calendar, and contacts. This makes it possible for hackers to record your videos and calls.
How do you know if your phone is under surveillance? ›
Some signs could include your battery draining rapidly, your device turning off and on, or spikes in your data usage. However, the most common sign that your activity is being monitored will be the other person's suspicious behavior.
How do you know if your phone is secretly recording you? ›
Cameras and microphones turn on randomly
That means the phone is using the microphone or camera or an app. While there are many legitimate reasons your phone may be listening to you, if you notice these indicators turning on and off, it might mean that a piece of malware has tapped your phone and is recording.
