Why Your Devices are Costing You Too Much Money
Most people own a smartphone at the very least, but many also own a tablet and a laptop. Whether you have one device or more, it can get expensive to keep them usable.
If you’re noticing your bank account draining because your devices are costing you too much money, here are some reasons that could be to blame.
1. The cost of repairs adds up over time
Simply owning any type of device can cost you money in repairs. Replacing screens and other repairs might seem like a small expense here and there, but over time, the cost of repairs can add up to a significant amount of money. For example, if you crack the screen or camera lens, that can cost $100 to $500, depending on the device. A durable case that can withstand drops is essential for avoiding this situation.
Although good cases are affordable, you might have to buy a new case each time you upgrade your phone, which brings up the next point: upgrades often require purchasing new accessories.
2. Upgrading your device can force you to buy new accessories
Each year, major smartphone manufacturers, including Samsung and Apple, release a new lineup of at least three different models. For many people, the opportunity to upgrade is too tempting to pass up. They happily spend another $600 or more on a new device to take advantage of the latest and greatest features. However, this comes with a drawback if the new model differs in size or shape, or if buttons have been moved.
When you get a new device that has buttons in different places or has a different size, shape, or thickness, you have to buy a new case. That’s not all. Sometimes new devices are designed to be used with brand new accessories, like the Apple Pencil.
There are currently three different versions of the Apple Pencil and most people who bought the first one have also bought the second generation since it’s quite an improvement over the original. Once you buy the first generation of an accessory, chances are, you’ll buy all the others.
Adapters are another expense associated with upgrading your device. When a manufacturer changes the charging port or removes the 3.5 mm headphone jack, for example, you have no choice but to buy some kind of adapter if you want to continue using your headphones. Where the charging port change is concerned, you have to buy a brand-new charger.
3. Devices have an end of life
Phones, tablets, and laptops all have a finite lifespan and won’t last forever. This is due to something called planned obsolescence, where manufacturers intentionally use components that will break down after a short period of time, forcing the user to buy a new device. It’s unfair because better components are available, but the industry wouldn’t be as profitable.
4. Software updates will eventually stop
Software used to work on a device forever, and developers would continue making security updates even to older versions. Developers knew people often used older computers that weren’t compatible with new releases of the software, so they maintained every version until it became impossible. That isn’t how it works today.
Now, software developers tend to abandon updating older versions of applications and force people to use the latest version, which forces them to use the latest device. Sometimes people have to buy a completely new device just to keep using their favorite application.
5. Security updates will eventually stop
Security is vital to maintain on your device, and while you never really know if third-party apps are secure, you can be relatively certain that your operating system is secure. That is unless you aren’t receiving OS software updates because your device is too old.
Unfortunately, phone manufacturers stop sending OS security updates to older devices after a period of time. Samsung, for example, will only offer updates for around three years. Other manufacturers that use Android have similarly short update periods. Apple does much better by updating its OS on devices for up to eight years.
Are you spending too much money?
If you’re on a budget or trying to save money, buying the latest devices might be draining your bank account. If that’s the case, consider holding back on upgrading with the next lineup. If you wait a few years, the device you want will come down in price, and you’ll save a good chunk of money.