How long does a smartphone last?
Typical lifespan
2–6 yr
A pocket computer with a touchscreen and cellular radio.
Typical replacement interval, not the point of failure.
How that compares
Smartphone against things of a similar time.
Laptop 3–8 yr
Car battery 3–7 yr
Red fox 2–15 yr
Giant Pacific octopus 3–5 yr
Wild turkey 3–13 yr
Smartphone 2–6 yr
Electric scooter 2–6 yr
Raccoon 2–16 yr
What that means over time
| Period | How many you would buy |
|---|---|
| Per year | 0.333 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 3.3 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 10 of them |
Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.
More about a smartphone
- How much does a smartphone weigh? 130–240 g
- How much does a smartphone cost? 100–1,800 $
- Smartphone vs Tablet Side by side
- Smartphone vs Laptop Side by side
Common questions
- How long does a smartphone last?
- A smartphone lasts 2–6 yr. Typical replacement interval, not the point of failure.
Related pages
- How much does a smartphone weigh? 130–240 g
- How much does a smartphone cost? 100–1,800 $
- How long does a television last? 6–12 yr
- How long does a laptop last? 3–8 yr
- How long does a desktop computer last? 4–10 yr
- How long does a games console last? 5–10 yr
- How long does a printer last? 3–10 yr
- How long does a tablet last? 3–8 yr
- How long does a computer monitor last? 5–12 yr
- Smartphone vs Tablet Side by side
- Smartphone vs Laptop Side by side
Sources
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place