Is it Better to Repair or Replace Your Old/Used Phone?
There is no doubt that modern smartphones are made to be durable. Companies add various features like reinforced glass to ensure safety. However, always remember that no phone is immune to damage. Irrespective of all the safety features, your phone can still get damaged. Besides physical damage, it can malfunction and stop working also. At times like these, you have two options - either repair your phone or buy a phone. Both options come with a set of benefits and drawbacks, and you must be aware of them before making any decision. In this blog, we listed all the pros and cons of both options so that you can make the right decision.
INDEX
Pros and Cons of Repairing Your Phone
Pros and Cons of Replacing Your Phone
Factors to Consider When Deciding Between Repairing and Replacing Your Phone
1 ) Extent of the Damage
2 ) Age of the Phone
3 ) Cost of Repair vs. Replacement
4 ) Warranty
5 ) Software Updates
6 ) Environmental Impact
7 ) Future Usability
What Should You Do?
Frequently Asked Questions About Repairing and Replacing Mobile Phones
Is it worth repairing a 3-year-old phone?
At what point should I replace my phone?
Is it better to get a new phone or an old phone?
Pros and Cons of Repairing Your Phone
Pros
- People often face small problems after using a phone for some time, like a broken charging port or a damaged battery. These issues can be easily repaired at very low costs. Replacing your phone for such small issues is not a wise decision.
- If you choose to repair your phone, chances are that you will not lose data.
- Most authorised repair centres or even repair shops can fix common problems within a few hours or a day.
- When you repair and reuse your phone, you help in reducing electronic waste and contribute to the circular economy.
Cons
- Even if your phone does not show any immediate effect, internal parts can get damaged if you drop your phone. As a result, you might experience problems later after the phone is repaired.
- Repairing a damaged phone does not make it new. Some issues may still exist that can shorten the lifespan of your phone.
- Repairing your phone from a local repair shop can void the device warranty.
- Repairing phones is not as cheap as you think. A report in the US showed seventy per cent of people assumed the repair cost to be much lower than the real numbers.
Pros and Cons of Replacing Your Phone
Pros
- New phones will come with updated processors, better cameras, and advanced hardware. They will work much faster than old phones.
- People using old phones can benefit from buying a new phone as they give access to various new features like advanced AI features and face recognition.
- One of the biggest benefits of buying a new phone is a warranty. Even if you buy refurbished phones from Mobilegoo, you will get up to 1 year warranty.
- Replacing the phone eliminates the risk of recurring issues.
- Batteries degrade over time. Unless you replace the battery of your old phone, it can never last as long as a new phone. Replacing the battery still may not be enough if your old phone does not receive regular updates.
Also Read: How to Improve the Battery Life of Your Phone?
Cons
- It is quite obvious that buying a new phone will cost more than repairing your phone. If you want high-end phones at low prices, you can check out our refurbished phones.
- If your phone is not formatted during the repair process, the data in your phone stays intact. Switching to a new phone means you will have to download or transfer the new data. It is a time-consuming process.
- By replacing phones quickly, you will add to more electronic waste.
- Some people may find it a little difficult to use the new phone. For instance, people switching from iOS to Android or vice versa will take time to adapt.
Factors to Consider When Deciding Between Repairing and Replacing Your Phone
1 ) Extent of the Damage
Around 31% of smartphone owners reported having a damaged smartphone in 2023 in the US. While the phone got damaged severely in some cases, some had minor damages. The extent of damage determines whether you should replace or repair your phone. Minor damages can be easily resolved by repairing the phone. However, if your phone suffers any major damage, you can consider replacing it. For instance, it is better to replace a phone with multiple damaged parts instead of repairing it. Repairing multiple parts individually can significantly raise your repair cost.
2 ) Age of the Phone
If you have been taking good care of your phone and using it for many years, replacing it will make more sense as you will get access to the latest hardware and features. Old phones lack various features designed for your convenience. Also, they have outdated hardware that may fail to perform many modern tasks smoothly. You may face recurring issues as well. On the other hand, if your phone is just a few months old, repairing it will make more sense.
3 ) Cost of Repair vs. Replacement
The cost of repairing your phone is always lower than the cost of replacing your phone, even if you have to completely replace a few parts. Depending on the damage, a phone repair should not cost more than a few thousand unless you are using a high-end phone. However, if your phone requires major repairs, like fixing water damage or replacing a motherboard, the cost can go pretty high. Although repairing will still be cheaper, it sometimes makes sense to invest in a new phone instead of repairing the old phone.
4 ) Warranty
Warranty is a crucial factor when deciding between repairing and replacing your phone. Irrespective of the damage, you should opt for repairing your phone if it is still under warranty. In case the phone is old and severely damaged, buying a new phone might make more sense since it will also come with the manufacturer’s or seller’s warranty.
5 ) Software Updates
Old phones will eventually stop getting updates. Without system and security updates, your phone will be more vulnerable to security threats and might malfunction. Repairing an old damaged phone may not be the wisest choice when it does not receive regular updates. You can still encounter some performance issues in the future. Most phones continue to receive software updates for about three to five years after their release. If your phone is older than that, you should replace it.
6 ) Environmental Impact
Are you environmentally conscious? Always remember that replacing your phone means you are adding more electronic waste. According to the 2020 Global E-Waste Monitor, approximately 44.48 million tons of electronic waste is generated by mobile phones every year. Even if the old phone is recycled, producing new phones still requires mining rare earth metals. This depletes natural resources and emits greenhouse gases. Instead, you can repair your old phone and prioritise sustainability.
If your old phone is unusable and you want to make an environmentally friendly choice, you can check out our refurbished phones. Refurbished phones add to sustainability by reusing old parts. It is estimated that they can reduce environmental impact each year by up to 91%. These devices function just like new ones as refurbishers restore the phones to their new condition. You also get a warranty.
7 ) Future Usability
In 2023, a report came out that stated that over 39 per cent of smartphone users in India change their phones within two years after the phone is purchased. Consider how long you will use the phone before making any decision. If the phone is fairly new (6-7 months old), repairing is a better option as you can still use the phone for a few years. A new phone can easily work for 3 years. On the other hand, phones that are old, say 4 years, are not worth it. You will anyway have to replace them after a few months due to recurring issues. Repairing it will unnecessarily lead to more expenses.
What Should You Do?
The decision between repairing or replacing your phone depends on several key factors. We already discussed how you should plan it. Although repairing may be a good solution, there is no other option but to replace your old phone in some cases. If you are hesitating to buy a new phone because of the budget, why not sell your old phone online and use the money to buy a new one? At Mobilegoo, you can sell old phones easily. We accept phones even if they are damaged. Just share the details of the damage when selling the phone accurately. Our expert will pick up the device from your doorstep, inspect it, and process your payment instantly. Sell your used or old phones to us today!
Also Read: What To Do Before You Sell Your Phone?
References:
- https://www.marketwatch.com/story/americans-spent-over-3-billion-last-year-fixing-their-smartphone-screens-2018-11-20
- https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2024/03/15/322486.htm#:~:text=While%2031%25%20of%20smartphone%20owners,and%205%25%20had%20them%20stolen
- https://www.iid.org.in/blogs/e-waste-recycling-an-emerging-business-opportunity
- https://labo.societenumerique.gouv.fr/en/articles/environmental-impact-of-smartphones-what-benefits-of-reconditioning-relate-to-nin
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1179244/india-frequency-of-smartphone-upgrade/#:~:text=As%20of%20April%202023%2C%20over,within%20the%20first%20six%20months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Repairing and Replacing Mobile Phones
Is it worth repairing a 3-year-old phone?
It depends on the condition of the phone. If your mobile has minor issues like a cracked screen or battery problem, repairing can still be cost-effective. However, in most cases, we would advise against it. A 3-year-old phone is a fairly old phone and might struggle with newer software. You may soon notice other issues as well. As the phone keeps getting older, more and more issues will arise, ultimately taking the repairing cost higher than the replacement cost.
At what point should I replace my phone?
As a golden rule, consider replacing your phone if the repair costs are close to or exceed 50% of the phone's current value. Also, a phone should be replaced after it stops receiving software updates. In case of lags or other issues, do not immediately decide to replace your phone. You can try a factory reset or take it to a professional first.
Is it better to get a new phone or an old phone?
By an old phone, if you mean an outdated phone, it is always better to buy a new phone. However, a used mobile can certainly be considered a great alternative to a new phone. By used phones, we mean refurbished phones, unboxed phones, and pre-owned phones. While unboxed phones are fairly new, refurbished and pre-owned mobiles can be a little older (not outdated). You can consider any of these categories to buy a high-end phone at a low price.