How to make your smartphone last longer

Replacing smartphones every two years contributes to the billions of phones that end up in landfills each year. However, with longer software commitments from major manufacturers and growing right-to-repair legislation, newer phones can last for around seven years. To extend the lifespan of your smartphone, use a case to protect it from damage, take care of the built-in battery by following recommendations for extending its lifespan, and clean up your phone's storage by freeing up space. A phone's battery is often the first thing to show signs of age, and lithium-ion batteries don't perform well in heat and can degrade quickly if charged in high temperatures. If you're storing a phone for a while, it's best to do so with the battery at half charge, rather than full or empty. You can also consider replacing the internal battery, which can give your phone a new lease on life. Extending the life of your smartphone is beneficial for the environment and can save you money, as new generations of phones often bear strong resemblance to the prior year's model. Smartphone companies are offering better and more consistent trade-in deals, but even some electronic recycling has its faults. Hanging onto a device instead of opting for a new one is the most efficient way of cutting back on a phone's environmental impact. With advancements in battery life spans and right-to-repair legislation, it may become easier to extend the life of your smartphone in the future.