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“Should I upgrade my phone, iPad, Kindle, Nintendo DS, or other device?” Questions about upgrading personal tech are among the most frequent questions I get, for good reason. Upgrading personal tech is a big deal – it’s an investment of time and money and it’s an investment in the future. Nothing makes you feel quite as silly as buying a new personal tech device, only to have the new model come out the very next week.
Upgrading tech can be expensive. Even though tech prices keep dropping, you’re still shelling out funds you wouldn’t be spending had you kept your old device.
Upgrading tech can take time. There is a learning curve for new devices. Chances are your new device does something new and different from your old device (after all, that’s why you bought it, right?), and those new features take time and effort to learn. You might have to play with the settings of your new device to configure it just the way you want it. And if it’s really new tech, such as the iPad 2, you might have to spend time waiting in line or hunting for a store that has the device in stock (see, Buying an iPad 2 Is Hard to Do).
Upgrading tech is an investment in the future. New technologies are just around the corner: 3D for personal gaming devices, 4G network data speeds from cell phone carriers, and NFC payment systems for mobile phones (near field communication systems that allow you to swipe your smart phone to make a payment at a store). All of these emerging technologies will be available by the end of 2011. Buying a new tech device today may mean that you miss out on these new features, making your new device obsolete in record time.
The easiest decision is, “No, I won’t upgrade. I will wait.” But with that philosophy you could end up still using this cell phone:
“Alright, fine,” you say. “I will upgrade frequently so I always have the latest and greatest tech.” But then you end up with a drawer full of these:
So when should you upgrade? Decisions, decisions. Because upgrading is a complex decision, you need to take several factors into account. The answer is different depending on your situation, but here is what you should consider:
Do you need a new device?
Perhaps your old phone broke or was stolen so you need to replace it, that’s a good time to upgrade. Or let’s say your teenager is finally getting his first cell phone. Does it make more sense for him to get your old phone and you upgrade to a new one? (It doesn’t always make sense to do this. At first I gave an old cell phone to my daughter, but her plan was expensive so then I got her the Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk plan which was much cheaper for us. My daughter ended up getting a new Android phone because my old phone wouldn’t work on the Virgin Mobile network. See, Smart and Cheap).
Is there a new feature you need or are craving?
Maybe you’ve never had a smartphone before and are realizing the benefits of having apps and/or data on the go (see, Killer Apps). Maybe the camera on the new iPad will allow you to have video chats with loved ones when you’re away from home, so you really want that feature. Maybe the Android phone will give you a mobile hotspot for free so you can save on having a data plan with your iPad.
Do you have to sign a contract for your device?
Most cell phone carriers have a two year contract for buying a new phone. Yes, you can buy a smartphone for full price, but few of us want to spend $600 on a phone when we can spend under $200 with a two year contract.
Make sure you’re buying a new device though. Right now, AT&T is offering the iPhone 3GS for $49. Great deal, right? No, the iPhone 3GS is almost two years old and you have to sign a two year contract to get that price. If you took this deal, you would end up with a four year old phone at the end of your contract. That’s way too old for a smartphone in these days of rapidly changing technology. You don’t want to be stuck with a dinosaur.
Other devices, such as the iPad, Kindle and Nintendo DS, don’t require that you sign a contract so the decision to upgrade these devices involves no long-term commitment.
Is there a fixed release schedule for your device?
Apple launches their new devices every year with predictable dates: the iPad is in the Spring (March, April), the iPhone is in the Summer (June, July) and iPods are in the Fall (September). New Kindle models tend to be introduced in the fall before the holiday season.
Android phones are trickier. Because phones running the Android OS are made by many different manufactures, new models of Android phones come out almost every month. Keeping up with the latest and greatest Android phones would involve winning a lottery with a big jackpot and then spending that jackpot on new Android phones. Not your best option.
Will you be an early adopter?
In spite of the long lines for an iPad 2, it’s generally not a good idea to be an early adopter. Wait a little while and then search online to see what others think of the new device. Last week HTC launched the Thunderbolt, the first Android phone on the market that works with Verizon’s new 4G data network. Many people have bought the Thunderbolt, excited about taking advantage of Verizon’s 4G speeds, but this first generation phone may not be their best choice for a phone. (see, Engadget Review of Thunderbolt).
Only You Can Decide What’s Best for You
After thinking through all of these factors, if you still crave your new device, if you can’t sleep at night because you’re so excited about its new features, or if you simply can’t wait to upgrade, then go ahead and do it. Take the plunge. Get your new device and remember what it was like as a child to feel the joy of getting a prized new toy. Revel in the fun and let us know how you are enjoying the wonder of your new tech.
* Photo by Michael Marusin
**Photo by Michael Hanscom
This is good information but how do I know when to upgrade my Android phone?
Hi Julie, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! It is very difficult to know when to upgrade an Android phone. If your plan allows you to upgrade, you have some freedom to choose a new phone, but I would wait on getting a new Android phone just yet. Because new Android models are introduced frequently, you will have lots of choices.
The first Android phone to use NFC technology, the Nexus S 4G on Sprint was just announced today. (NFC technology will allow you to use your smartphone for functions such as making payments at stores or using your phone as a key to your hotel room). I predict this technology will become popular quickly and will be worth getting. If you can hold out a just a little while until the reviews come out for the Nexus S 4G on Sprint, you might be very pleased that you waited. If the reviews on the Nexus S 4G phone are not positive, or the phone is missing a key feature you want, keep waiting because another Android phone using 4G and NSC technology is sure to be introduced soon.
I’m thinking of getting an Ipad 1. The Ipad 2s are hard to get and I think I can get the Ipad 1 and save money. I don’t need to take picture with my Ipad so I don’t care about the camera. Any ideas about where I should by an Ipad from?
Hi Beth, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Good news, AT&T is offering a great deal on used 3G iPads. In fact, with some models it’s cheaper to get a 3G iPad from AT&T than to get a Wi-Fi only iPad from Apple. 64gb Wi-Fi only original iPads are being sold by Apple for $599 but 64gb 3G original iPads are being sold by AT&T for $529. ($529 is also the price for a 32gb 3G original iPad from AT&T but I have no idea why anyone would buy a 32gb model when they can get the 64gb model for the same price). Here is the link to the AT&T store.
On a side note, the camera on the iPad can be used for things other than taking pictures such as augmented reality apps and scanning bar codes and QR codes. App developers most likely will come up with other amazing uses for the camera on the iPad. But for now, passing up on the iPad 2 in favor of the iPad 1 certainly makes sense in a lot of cases. Enjoy your iPad!
Thanks for the great ideas on upgrades. I was wondering what you thought of the latest ATT acquisition of T-Mobile ands its potential impact on data pricing structures. I recently added an iPad with 3G to my techie devices, and am wondering if I should add the 3G service now (I haven’t yet, using my i-phone when not near a free wi-fi spot), and if this would lock in the price, much like the older 3G phones with the unlimited data plans?
CarolB, very good question. I have mixed feelings about the AT&T/T-Mobile merger. While better coverage and faster service from AT&T will be a plus, I am quite concerned about the effect of the merger on consumer prices. The merger would make AT&T the only GSM carrier in the US. Sprint and Verizon both have CDMA networks, meaning their phones can’t use data and phone at the same time and can’t be used in many countries outside the US. AT&T uses GSM and its customers have the ability to be use their cell phones internationally. An AT&T customer is also able to use his phone and data simultaneously, while Sprint and Verizon customers cannot. So if you travel outside the US and/or need phone and data simultaneously, you will have only one option for a cell phone carrier. That won’t lead to better priced plans for the consumer.
That being said, if AT&T were to change the price of its data plans it would give its customers plenty of notice. So far AT&T has grandfathered its customers with unlimited data plans on both the iPhone and iPad so there is no reason to believe that AT&T would not grandfather its customers in the future. In other words, no rush to sign up for a data plan for your iPad with AT&T if you don’t need one yet.
It is always nice to have the latest form of technology, but why do people always give in and buy it. The economy is not doing well right now and some people think the top 1% of the people own all the wealth. However, all people always give in and somehow afford to buy new technology even if their old phone, computer, or television are working just fine.
Hi Paul, I completely agree with you. Often there is no need to get the latest and the greatest tech, but I see that happen with cars too. Tech and cars have become symbols of prestige. With tech, there seems to be planned obsolescence as newer functions are introduced every year, often with older systems becoming incompatible with newer ones.