The Average Lifespan of a Smartphone (2024)
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How Long Does a Cell Phone Last
According to numerous sources, the average lifespan of a smartphone in 2024 is currently 2.53 years. On the other hand, other sources claim that it could be 15-18 months for newer generation devices (Source: Everphone)
Numerous factors influence a smartphone’s lifespan, ranging from hardware and software conditions to battery health.
So, how long do cell phones last? In this article, you will learn about the average lifespan of a smartphone and how you can extend the life of your phone.
Editors Picks:
- Average lifespan of a smartphone: In 2024, a smartphone has an average life span of 2.53 years. According to reports, iPhones last 4-10 years, while Samsung phones last 3-6 years. Many factors affect a smartphone’s lifespan, including the condition of the screen, the hardware, and the battery’s health. You can do a few things to avoid these conditions, such as not using all of your phone’s charge cycles and sturdy phone cases and screen protectors.
How Long Do Phones Last?
According to Statista research, the average lifespan of smartphones in 2024 is 2.53 years. This represents a 2-3 week (or 1.9%) decrease in lifespan compared to 2023 and a 2-3 month (or 8%) decrease from 2021.
How Long Did Phones Last Over The Years? (2014-2025)
Average Lifespan of Smartphones (Replacement Cycle Length) in the US
| Year | Consumer Segment | Enterprise Segment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025* | 2.49 years | 2.28 years |
| 2024* | 2.53 years | 2.32 years |
| 2023* | 2.58 years | 2.36 years |
| 2022* | 2.64 years | 2.42 years |
| 2021* | 2.75 years | 2.52 years |
| 2020 | 2.83 years | 2.60 years |
| 2019 | 2.96 years | 2.54 years |
| 2018 | 2.88 years | 2.57 years |
| 2017 | 2.74 years | 2.25 years |
| 2016 | 2.84 years | 2.46 years |
| 2015 | 2.53 years | 2.26 years |
| 2014 | 2.58 years | 2.33 years |
- Data Table
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Average Lifespan of Smartphones (Replacement Cycle Length) in the US
Year Consumer Segment Enterprise Segment 2025* 2.49 years 2.28 years 2024* 2.53 years 2.32 years 2023* 2.58 years 2.36 years 2022* 2.64 years 2.42 years 2021* 2.75 years 2.52 years 2020 2.83 years 2.60 years 2019 2.96 years 2.54 years 2018 2.88 years 2.57 years 2017 2.74 years 2.25 years 2016 2.84 years 2.46 years 2015 2.53 years 2.26 years 2014 2.58 years 2.33 years - Data Graphic
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*2021 to 2025 are forecast data
Key Stats:
- The average lifespan of mobile devices in the consumer segment peaked in 2019 at 2.96 years, while the enterprise segment peaked in 2020 at 2.60 years. Even at their peak, both segments fell off in the years that followed. By 2020, the average smartphone lifespan for the consumer segment had decreased by 0.13 years, while the enterprise segment had decreased by 0.08 years by 2021.
- Since 2019, the consumer segment has seen a downward trend, with an estimated 0.13-year decrease in average smartphone lifespan by 2020. After reaching a peak of 2.96 years in 2019, it’s predicted that there will be a steady decline until 2025. In comparison to the average lifespan of smartphones in 2019, there will be a 0.11-year drop in 2020 and a 0.04-year drop in 2025.
- Since 2014, the lowest average lifespan of smartphones for the consumer segment has been predicted for 2025, with a replacement cycle length of 2.49 years. In contrast, the enterprise segment already had the lowest smartphone lifespan in 2017, with 2.25 years. However, a downward trend is predicted to begin in 2020 in the enterprise segment. According to forecasts, the average lifespan for the enterprise segment in 2025 will be 2.28 years.
Average Lifespan of Different Phone Brands
In general, the average lifespan of a smartphone is 2 to 4 years. According to reports, the iPhone lasts 4-10 years, followed by Samsung units, which can last 3-6 years. Huawei and Xiaomi units have an average lifespan of 2-4 years, while OPPO units have 2-3 years.
Around the three-year mark, you will notice that your phone’s hardware is significantly outdated, and your battery will have substantially less capacity than it did when it was still a new smartphone.
How long do iPhones last?
The average iPhone lifespan is 4-10 years. Apple models generally last much longer than what is expected of most smartphones, which typically only last two to four years. iPhones are also considered to have the highest lifespan among all smartphone brands in the industry.
How long do Samsung phones last?
Samsung phones have an average lifespan of 3-6 years. Because Samsung devices are highly durable, they can last you for more than five years if you’re careful with them or get them repaired as soon as they need minor repairs. Common reasons for Samsung phone replacement include faulty ports, defective batteries, and outdated operating systems.
Smartphone Lifespan Statistics
- According to Strategy Analytics’ most recent research, Western Europe’s average smartphone replacement cycle will shrink from 40 months in 2020 to 33 months by 2025.
- According to a Counterpoint Research survey, Japanese smartphone users replace their devices every 26 months, the longest period of any participating country. It’s due to the mature and aging users who now have access to more premium, long-lasting devices that don’t require frequent upgrades.
- The shortest replacement cycle is in North America, followed by Central and Eastern Europe. Due to a higher number of prepaid users, lower GDP per capita, and disposable income, Africa and the Middle East have the lowest smartphone replacement rate of any region.
- Consumers in emerging markets are more aggressive in replacing their smartphones than in developed markets. This trend is being fueled by the rise of Chinese brands offering higher-spec devices at lower prices, as well as the rise of used and refurbished smartphones.
Factors That Affect Smartphone Lifespan
A variety of factors influence the lifespan of your smartphone. We have listed below the potential reasons that will shorten the life of your device over time:
Damage
Cracks and drops can cause phone damage but these things can be repaired. In some cases, it is preferable to buy a new phone instead. Here are the things you can consider to know which is best for your phone:
- Functional phone with a small crack:
It should have little or no effect on the lifespan of your phone.
- Crack occupying more than a quarter of your phone:
If the display already has noticeable dead pixels and multiple defective components, your phone may only last for a while or will stop working soon.
Battery Health
The battery is the most important part of your device because without it, nothing else will work on your phone. Here are some things to consider in order to extend your battery life and prevent battery replacement.
Charge Cycles
Phone batteries have an average cycle charge of 500 to 800. This means that if you charge your phone several times per day, the battery life of your phone will be shorter than someone who charges their mobile phone every two days.
Heat
Heat damages your battery because it puts more strain on the battery. As a result, you should avoid placing your phone in hot environments or on surfaces that can easily heat up.
Outdated External or Internal Hardware
Mobile Gaming vs. Casual Use
If you only use your phone for casual purposes, such as browsing the internet or streaming movies, the hardware on your device can last up to three years. Expect that after three years, your apps will take longer to load than they usually do.
If you use your phone frequently for mobile gaming, it can last up to 1.5-2.5 years. There are new smartphone games and updates that may no longer be compatible with your device’s hardware over time, resulting in a laggy performance.
Low-end/Secondhand vs. High-end phone
If you purchased a lower-end model or a used phone that is already outdated or unsupported by the manufacturer, you may only have 1-2 years of usage left. A new phone that falls on the high-end tier can offer more.
For lower-tier models with users who only need their devices for calling and texting, there is no real limit to your phone’s lifespan as it never becomes outdated enough for those basic features.
Outdated Operating System Software
Because your phone’s hardware is linked to your operating system, it will eventually become obsolete and unable to run new operating system updates. Here are some things you should know about your smartphone’s operating system:
- How long does iOS support last?
Most iPhones receive system and security updates for five to seven years after they are released, which is significantly longer than Android devices.
- How long does Android operating system support last?
Android devices only receive operating system updates for the first 2-3 years after they are released. As a result, if you buy an older model or a used device, its lifespan is already reduced.
Some Android vendors with a large portfolios frequently focus on premium and middle-class models. On the other hand, entry-level phones are frequently overlooked and are no longer supported after a while.
How To Extend Your Smartphone's Lifespan
There are several ways to extend your phone’s lifespan so that you can use it as long as possible before replacing it. Here are a few ways to improve your device’s lifespan:
Charge your phone between 20%-80%
Remember that your phone’s battery has a limited number of full charge cycles. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep your charge between 20% and 80%.
Use a screen protector
A screen protector is useful for protecting and extending the life of your device’s screen. Screen protectors are widely available both in stores and online.
If the extra cost of a screen protector concerns you, consider this: even the most expensive ones are less expensive than repairing or replacing your smartphone’s broken screen.
Buy a heavy-duty protective case
Phone cases are an excellent way to protect your device from a cracked screen or severe damage if it is dropped accidentally. There are various types of phone cases with varying levels of durability and protection that you can buy in stores.
There are bulky specialized cases that are ideal if you work in physically demanding industries where damage is more likely to occur. If you work in an office, slimmer cases are also available to protect your phone.
Remove unused apps
It’s best to uninstall apps that you rarely use because these apps running in the background only strain your battery and hardware resources. It also increases the workload on your RAM and other internal components, slowing down your phone’s performance.
Average Lifespan of a Cell Phone Battery?
If you charge your smartphone once a day, it will last approximately 300-500 charge cycles or approximately 16 months. Charge cycles refer to how many times the phone battery has been fully charged. Of course, the lifespan of your battery is determined not only by how frequently it is charged, but also by how heavily your phone is used, your battery’s type and capacity, and other factors.
