Is upgrading to a new phone every year worth it?

An annual upgrade cycle for a $1,000 flagship costs $400–$600/year net of resale. A 3-year cycle costs $150–$200/year. Unless you require cutting-edge features, extending your cycle saves significantly.

What is the best time to sell a phone to maximise resale value?

Sell before the next generation announcement — typically 3–4 months before expected launch. Resale values drop 20–40% immediately after new models are announced.

Phone Upgrade Cycle Annual Cost Calculator

Calculate the true annual cost of your phone upgrade cycle. Compare upgrading every 1, 2, 3, or 4 years versus buying SIM-free and keeping longer, factoring in resale values.

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Enter the values for the scenario you are assessing. Calculate the true annual cost of your phone upgrade cycle. Compare upgrading every 1, 2, 3, or 4 years versus buying SIM-free and keeping longer, factoring in resale values. Use the phone upgrade cycle cost result to inform your calculation.

Phone Upgrade Cycle Annual Cost Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is upgrading to a new phone every year worth it?

What is the best time to sell a phone to maximise resale value?