posted in Technology
Should you still buy your next smartphone — or subscribe to it instead? Apple, Samsung … are betting that leasing, subscriptions, and guaranteed buyback programs can make upgrading more attractive.
techcrunch.com/2026/08/01/should-you-still-buy-your-next-smartphone-or-subscribe-to-it-instead/
TechCrunchShould you still buy your next smartphone — or subscribe to it instead? | TechCrunchApple's new Upgrade program is the latest sign that smartphone ownership is changing.
Replying to @eicker@lemmy.world
The only thing prompting phone replacement for me was battery life. And nearly all phones have shit ability to replace batteries (for now - EU rules incoming).
I bought a Fairphone 6 with /e/OS. I’ve left Big Tech behind. And I have a phone where I can easily replace the components. I don’t want to swap devices for 4-5 years, which makes ownership far more cost effective than leasing.
Also – with leasing, what happens when the renter is done with it? E waste, just like we have today.
Replying to @smeg@infosec.pub
Biggest issue is software support. You really do not want to run your banking app on an older, unpatched Android version
Replying to @JensSpahnpasta@feddit.org
Or at least that’s what big tech wants you to think
Replying to @FippleStone@aussie.zone
Don’t worry the banking software running those apps is far older, unpatched, and just as vulnerable.
Replying to @smeg@infosec.pub
Oneplus 13 has two day battery life for me. Best phone I’ve ever owned. But I heard they are not going to release oneplus phones in Europe anymore so that sucks a lot. I dont want anything else.
Replying to @smeg@infosec.pub
No they just sell the devices to the secondary market