How Long Should a Smartphone Last? Update Policies & When to Upgrade (2026)
HandyPriceScout Team
Published
Should you upgrade every 2 years or keep your phone for 5? We break down update policies, battery degradation, and which smartphones get the longest support.
How long should a smartphone last?
The average European keeps their phone for 3.5 years — but modern phones can last much longer. The real question isn't hardware durability, it's software support.
Which smartphones get 5 years of updates?
In 2026, several brands now promise extended support:
| Brand | Update Promise | Security Updates | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel | 7 years OS + security | 7 years | Pixel 10, Pixel 10a |
| Samsung | 7 years OS + security | 7 years | Galaxy S26, S25, A56 |
| Apple | ~6 years | ~7 years | iPhone 17, iPhone 16 |
| OnePlus | 4 years OS + 5 security | 5 years | OnePlus 13 |
| Xiaomi | 3 years OS + 4 security | 4 years | Xiaomi 15 |
| Motorola | 2–3 years | 3–4 years | Edge 50 |
When software updates stop, what happens?
- •No new features — you miss out on new Android/iOS versions
- •Security risk — unpatched vulnerabilities make you a target
- •App compatibility — banking and social apps eventually drop old OS versions
- •Performance — without optimisation updates, the phone gradually slows
Battery degradation: the real upgrade trigger
Most people upgrade because their battery can't last a day anymore. Here's the typical degradation curve:
| Age | Battery Health | Real-World Impact |
|---|---|---|
| New | 100% | Full day+ |
| 1 year | 95% | Minimal difference |
| 2 years | 88–92% | Slightly shorter days |
| 3 years | 80–85% | Noticeable decline, may need afternoon charge |
| 4 years | 72–80% | Significant decline |
| 5 years | 65–75% | Frequent charging needed |
New vs refurbished smartphone 2026
Instead of buying new, consider a refurbished model that's 1–2 years old:
- •30–40% cheaper than new
- •Full warranty (12–24 months on Back Market, Swappie)
- •Environmentally friendly — extends the phone's useful life
- •Same performance — a 1-year-old flagship still outperforms a new budget phone
Read our full guide: Is a Refurbished Phone Worth It?
Our recommendation
If your phone is 3+ years old, has poor battery life, and no longer receives security updates — it's time to upgrade. Otherwise, keep what you have. The most popular phone brands in Europe (Samsung, Apple, Google) all offer 6–7 years of updates now, so a phone bought in 2026 should last until 2032+.
Compare new and refurbished prices on HandyPriceScout to find the best deal when you're ready to upgrade.