The average American now holds onto their smartphone for 29 months, according to a recent survey by Reviews.org, and that cycle is getting longer. The average was around 22 months in 2016.

While squeezing as much life out of your device as possible may save money in the short run, especially amid widespread fears about the strength of the consumer and job market, it might cost the economy in the long run, especially when device hoarding occurs at the level of corporations.

Research released by the Federal Reserve last month concludes that each additional year companies delay upgrading equipment results in a productivity decline of about one-third of a percent, with investment patterns accounting for approximately 55% of productivity gaps between advanced economies. The good news: businesses in the U.S. are generally quicker to reinvest in replacing aging equipment. The Federal Reserve report shows that if European productivity had matched U.S. investment patterns starting in 2000, the productivity gap between the U.S and European economic heavyweights would have been reduced by 29 percent for the U.K., 35 percent for France, and 101% for Germany.

  • CatAssTrophyA
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    16 hours ago

    If they had user replaceable batteries like 20 years ago no one would need to replace them.

    I’ve only had 1 without a removable battery and decided never again. Can recommend Fairphone, or maybe Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro.

    The Fairphone is particularly repairable and more sustainably and ethically produced than pretty much any other phone FWIW. Almost any component can be replaced in minutes, including the screen and camera($106), as well as microphones, speakers, usb ports, etc ($20~40). It uses de-Googled android and has a variety of built in security and privacy features other phones lack. They’re a good company trying to improve the industry, so I think more people should be aware of them.

    The Galaxy XCover Pro is the best of the very limited number of removable battery phones from major well known brands, IMO.