When To Repair vs. When To Replace Your Phone

If your phone is broken and you don’t have insurance, you might be panicking and trying to decide whether to repair it or put out the money for a new device. Here are some things to consider before you make your decision.

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Cost of Repair vs. Cost of Replacement

This is the most obvious thing most people think about when trying to make this decision. If replacing the phone is going to cost $800 and repairing it will only cost $300 then repair might be your best option. You should also consider the value of your phone. There are several websites that can give you an estimated value of what your phone would sell for in good condition. If the cost of repair is more than the value of your phone, it might be time to replace it.  Even if the cost of repair vs. replacement seems like an easy decision at first glance, you should still keep the below considerations in mind when making your decision.

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How Old is The Phone

Devices that are more than three years old might start having software incompatibilities in the near future. If you spend hundreds of dollars repairing your phone only to have the software become out of date within the year, that’s going to seem like money down the drain. You should also consider how many repairs the phone has already had. Every time your phone is opened up the chance of damage increases. If your phone has had three or more repairs done, it might be time to put it out to pasture. 

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Can You Offset the Cost of a New Phone

There are plenty of people out there willing to pay for broken devices. Check with your nearest phone repair shops and find out how much you could make by selling your broken phone. Even a few hundred dollars can go a long way in offsetting the cost of a new device. This is especially true if you are able to get a good deal on a refurbished phone. 

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How Long Can You Be Without Your Device

We all feel naked without our phones and some of us even use them for important things like facebook, er.. I mean work.  If repairing your device is going to leave you without a phone for several days or even weeks, you might need to replace it instead. Just keep in mind that setting up a new phone and learning how to use it can also take some time. 

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Do You Want To Upgrade

There are two parts to this one. First, are you currently eligible for a discounted upgrade with your carrier? Second, do you like your upgrade options?  If you refuse to buy a refurbished phone then your should try to buy when you are eligable for a discounted upgrade. If your phone is broken then this is the perfect time to check and see what your carrier can offer you. This is especially true if you are interested in phones with newer features. If you like the features of the generation of device you currently have and don’t like the newer features like huge screens, then it might be worth trying to eek a bit more life out of your old phone.