Experts say that carriers like T-Mobile making repairs easier for customers is unlikely to change the frequency with which consumers buy new smartphones, as many consumers replace their phones before they need to.
Phone repairs are getting more and more ridiculous – here's why.
The right to repair has long been a point of contention in the smartphone industry, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. However, some carriers, like T-Mobile, have shared plans to offer customers in-store repair options. While this could open new doors for consumers to get their smartphones fixed, experts say it’s unlikely to actually change how often you buy a new phone.
"On average, most people keep their phones for 2-3 years before selling them and upgrading," Stewart McGrenary, a technical expert with Freedom Mobiles, a smartphone recycler and reseller, told Lifewire in an email. "Unfortunately, smartphones are not designed to last forever. They can last a long time, but exactly how long really depends on when you consider your phone to be 'dead.'"
With new smartphones coming out every year, it can be easy to get caught up in the idea of replacing your old phone often. However, the rate at which many people replace their phones has changed over time.
