Mobile/Cell phone lifespan?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

This is my first technical thread here in the forum I christened Technosorcery _tm Land! so go easy

How long should your average phone last , the reason I ask is because my Nokia 6234 (bum basic but does everything I need) is starting to play silly bugger's .

Now I've only had it just less than 2 years, and wouldn't consider it to have had a hard life (apart from being on 24 hours a day 5 days out of 7) and apart from being on all the time, it doesn't really get used , but nevertheless is definetly on it's way out

My even more basic Nokia 3100 is over 3 years old, has been used extensively, but is still going strong

So how long would you expect a phone to last on average then, and am I the only one who think's modern phones with all the ''bells and whistles'' are pretty unrelaible

[Benner]

TBH, I think phones are generally made to last around 18 months as this is the usual contract length.

[Leatherman123]

All my mobile phones last for about two years. Then I get a new one.. I used to have the iPhone but cracked the screen and Apple cannot fix it.. You would have to buy a brand new phone! Really stupid, huh? Sometime in July there will be a new iPhone coming out.. The original will be about half price now! Right now I have a Samsung SYNC.. Not a bad phone by any means..

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

TBH, I think phones are generally made to last around 18 months as this is the usual contract length.

That's a very cynical yet depressingly accurate assesment

I am thinking of getting another bum basic phone though, my ole 3100 has been totally bomb proof, and I just don't use all the latest feature's to make a camera phone worthwhile

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

All my mobile phones last for about two years. Then I get a new one.. I used to have the iPhone but cracked the screen and Apple cannot fix it.. You would have to buy a brand new phone! Really stupid, huh? Sometime in July there will be a new iPhone coming out.. The original will be about half price now! Right now I have a Samsung SYNC.. Not a bad phone by any means..

Now I'd be scarred off from buying an iPhone for exactly that reason...to fragile by half

[Leatherman123]

If I decide to buy another one I am going to buy a nice case.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

If I decide to buy another one I am going to buy a nice case.

Get kevlar one to protect your investment

[Benner]

TBH, I think phones are generally made to last around 18 months as this is the usual contract length.

That's a very cynical yet depressingly accurate assesment

I am thinking of getting another bum basic phone though, my ole 3100 has been totally bomb proof, and I just don't use all the latest feature's to make a camera phone worthwhile

Being cynical is what I do best.  

I know what you mean though.  I have an old nokia that just keeps going and I keep it as my spare.  My newer ones are just not as reliable.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

TBH, I think phones are generally made to last around 18 months as this is the usual contract length.

That's a very cynical yet depressingly accurate assesment

I am thinking of getting another bum basic phone though, my ole 3100 has been totally bomb proof, and I just don't use all the latest feature's to make a camera phone worthwhile

Being cynical is what I do best.  

I know what you mean though.  I have an old nokia that just keeps going and I keep it as my spare.  My newer ones are just not as reliable.

That's what bother's me, you can bet your bottom dollar that the componentry is, like you say, only designed to last 18months - 2 years if you lucky , for people like me who have there children living with the ex's, it's bloody massively important that the phone works everytime

[Benner]

I still think that the nokia 5100 is one of the best phones I have ever had;



As it happens, my current phone is pretty awful and so I might look into picking up one of these on ebay.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

How much do they go for? (I don't supose you can get new one's )

[cryptrick]

I don't think you can really predict when a phone is gonna die on you. A lot of phones will (and certainly should) last you longer than 18 months. My older phones do seem to have lasted a lot better than the newer phones. The new ones do seem to be a bit more plasticy/bendy feel to them.

[Benner]

How much do they go for? (I don't supose you can get new one's )

Last time I looked, you could get refurbished ones for around the £25 mark.  Not sure about now though.  

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I don't think you can really predict when a phone is gonna die on you. A lot of phones will (and certainly should) last you longer than 18 months. My older phones do seem to have lasted a lot better than the newer phones. The new ones do seem to be a bit more plasticy/bendy feel to them.

That they do, by sister has gone through 3 sony ericson contract phones in 7 MONTHS

[cryptrick]

That is a good choice Benner, the newer version of that is a cool phone to.

Here it is in Vic Red ...

[cryptrick]

Got a feeling I might have seen the 5140 in one of Roadie's pics. He may have one, he'll tell you what they're like I'm sure.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

How much do they go for? (I don't supose you can get new one's )

Last time I looked, you could get refurbished ones for around the £25 mark.  Not sure about now though.  

Hmm, might let my part cyborg bro have a look at my phone and see if he can will the Machine Spirit within to last a few more months

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That is a good choice Benner, the newer version of that is a cool phone to.

Here it is in Vic Red ...

(Image removed from quote.)

What's that model called mate?

[cryptrick]

Sorry mate, its the Nokia 5140

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Sorry mate, its the Nokia 5140

Cheer's

[Roadie]

Yup i have the 5140 and its great Been bounced around no end and still keeps coming! It's sealed against dust and is slightly water proof, the outside cover is expendable and is there to take punishment without the phone itself taking any grief. Had it for 3 years now and i've only ever had 1 problem with it, 2/3 times it has locked up but removing the battery sorted it out and it works perfectly again

[Benner]

I don't think I have ever had a phone that hasn't locked up at some point.

[Whoey]

I have/had a Nokia 3510i for about 18months before it started acting up. I switched providers and got a Motorola V360, which I used for about 21 months and then replaced with a Samsung J750... not because I needed to, but because it was free... The Motorola would probably still be going strong... (and I still have it as a backup) My wife also had the Nokia 3510i, and Motorola v360, but this time show opted fro a LG KU380 so she stops accidentally taking my phone (her new one is white, mine is black) again...she changed because it was free, not because the Motorola had any issues...

[Roadie]

Why i like the 5140 :

Link

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Why i like the 5140 :

Link

You destructive little sod

[Roadie]

You destructive little sod

No destruction took place thats the whole point

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

You destructive little sod

No destruction took place thats the whole point

True , but it's impressive nonetheless

[Roadie]

True , but it's impressive nonetheless

I did try and film it falling down the stairs but there wasn't enough light to get a decent video

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

True , but it's impressive nonetheless

I did try and film it falling down the stairs but there wasn't enough light to get a decent video

It's great that it instills that level of confidence to really abuse it , I tend to regard all piece's of technology as fragile until proven otherwise, hopefully by someone else

[Roadie]

Yeah it's one of the few things that i do abuse ( ), but i've learnt over the years how chuffin strong it is! Its been dropped countless times, thrown to people and dropped on numerous occasions ( ) and generally not looked after very well but its survived! It does need a new cover though as the screen has a few annoying scratches on.