If you notice these 7 signs, it's time to go grab a new Android phone.

When you invest in a brand-new Android smartphone, you anticipate it to have a long-lasting performance – naturally, a high-quality phone should be useful for at least several years. However, as time goes by, you start to notice the once dazzling green robot losing its initial sparkle, regardless of how carefully you've kept it.

1. If you notice these 7 signs, it's time to go grab a new Android phone.

When you invest in a brand-new Android smartphone, you anticipate it to have a long-lasting performance – naturally, a high-quality phone should be useful for at least several years. However, as time goes by, you start to notice the once dazzling green robot losing its initial sparkle, regardless of how carefully you've kept it.

1. RAPID BATTERY DRAIN

If you're a smartphone addict, you might have experienced the scenario where your phone's battery drops below the red line. There are various ways to enhance battery life on Android, but if you observe that your phone's battery isn't as robust as it used to be, it might be a bit too late.

The reason behind this is simply a chemical aging effect. Over time, the chemical components in the battery degrade, meaning they store less and less energy. After a few hundred charging cycles (around 1 or 2 years), the battery will lose about 1/5 or more of its energy storage capacity.

That's why you should avoid charging your battery overnight to limit unnecessary charging cycles.

If the battery no longer holds the charge like it used to, but you still use your device as if there's no tomorrow, you'll immediately notice the issue. Instead of constantly searching for power outlets, smartphone addicts should consider upgrading to a phone with a more powerful battery. New batteries are always more durable, that's an undeniable fact.

2. SLOW PROCESSING SPEED

Using a phone or tablet for long enough, you'll start to feel the device slowing down. No one wants to wait for their smartphone to process a task at an excessively slow pace. Opening an app can take up to minutes, and your touch actions might feel laggy.

There are various reasons why a phone becomes sluggish, and in many cases, the age of the smartphone plays a significant role. Upgrading Android to a higher version (if you're lucky to get an update) might be a double-edged sword because the new system often demands more system resources, including RAM and CPU. New apps can also cause similar issues, especially if they are resource-intensive. The latest Android games are no exception.

Another issue could be an excessive number of background-running apps. The more apps consuming resources in the background, the slower your phone becomes. You can address the problem by closing unnecessary apps more frequently, but of course, that's if those background-running apps are not particularly useful to you.

Replacing your phone will give you more resources for the phone software to run smoothly, whether it's the Android operating system itself or the apps you've installed.

3. OUTDATED SYSTEM OR OUT-OF-DATE UPDATES

Every year, in September, Google releases a new version of Android. From Cupcake to Pie, the Android operating system is continuously integrated with numerous new features. And, of course, the price to pay is its increasing demand for resources.

However, your smartphone won't receive updates forever. If you buy a premium phone like the Samsung Galaxy series, for example, you may get one (or sometimes two) updates to a new Android version. And not every manufacturer is 'conscientious,' meaning, in an unlucky scenario, your phone will... become outdated right after you purchase it.

What about security? Once the phone becomes outdated, the manufacturer will soon stop releasing security updates for it.

If you're concerned about owning an outdated phone and no longer receiving updates, the best solution is to replace it with a new one.

4. UNABLE TO RUN NEW APPS

The day when virtual reality becomes mainstream is still a bit distant, but some relatively enticing VR apps have emerged for Android. Unfortunately, new resource-demanding apps like VR may not perform efficiently on older phones.

A similar issue arises with games on Android. The more captivating the gameplay, the more RAM it demands, and the phone's graphic processing power also needs to be robust. If your phone is aging, gaming might become a struggle.

The best way to check this is to try installing a few resource-intensive apps, such as VR apps or high-graphic 3D games, and observe how they run on your phone. If things don't meet expectations, it's probably time to get a new phone.

5. FREQUENT APP CRASHES

Phones are created by humans, so they're certainly not perfect, and app crashes are unavoidable. Of course, the cause doesn't always originate from your phone – sometimes, the developer's errors in creating an app with too many bugs or poorly designed processes are to blame. Another possibility is the phone's compatibility, as some apps only run on the latest phone models.

However, if you notice frequent app crashes on your phone, it could be a warning sign of a more serious issue. Apps may crash because they demand too many resources, such as RAM and CPU. If the resources are insufficient, the app will crash.

You might also encounter crashes when the storage on your device is depleted, especially for apps that regularly save or access internal memory. Newer phones are often equipped with ample storage to address this issue.

6. POOR CAMERA QUALITY

In the age of selfies, having a smartphone with a high-quality camera is crucial, even if you're just an average user wanting to capture beautiful moments in life. Unless you're a professional or have a special interest in photography, most people use their phones for convenience. While new phones produce impressive photos, your outdated phone will only leave you embarrassed.

There's not much you can do to enhance photo quality if your phone's camera is subpar. Photo editing apps may optimize images, but they can't improve resolution. This is most noticeable on the front camera, which typically has lower quality compared to the rear camera.

The only solution at this point – if photography matters to you – is to find a new phone. A new phone will have a better camera, both front and rear, although this also depends on your choice.

7. PHONE MALFUNCTIONING OR SHATTERED

Nothing lasts forever. If your phone is damaged – whether it's a cracked screen, malfunctioning buttons, or a shattered frame – its departure may not be far off.

Wear and tear due to natural causes also play a certain role. Perhaps you have a habit of scrolling through Facebook in the rain or pressing the buttons too hard. Or sometimes, internal components, like the storage, may fail without any clear reason.

Damage, whether occurring gradually or suddenly, will render your phone inefficient. You might tolerate living with the issues, but sooner or later, upgrading your device is inevitable.

No smartphone exists forever

No smartphone lasts forever, for various reasons. Some components, like batteries, have limited lifespans. Other components, such as the CPU and camera, become outdated when compared to newer phones.

Certainly, not everyone has the opportunity to upgrade their smartphone at will. If you're not ready for that, try out some internet tricks to temporarily extend the lifespan of your device.

Source: Techz