What is the life expectancy of an iphone?

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Ultimate Geek
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#1502127 1-Mar-2016 13:42

trig42:

After two years, I personally would not be lodging a CGA claim for a faulty iPhone - If it stops, I'd consider it life over.

Other opinions in this thread aside that means a $1200 phone, not far off what most top models are worth, costs about $10 a week.

That makes you stop and think "Is this thing worth $10 a week to me?" The reality is it's closer to $30 if you get a middle of the road plan. It's an interesting thing to ponder...

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#1502150 1-Mar-2016 14:40

The IRD state, for depreciation purposes, the useful life of a smart phone is 3 years

http://www.ird.govt.nz/technical-tax/determinations/depreciation/depreciation-deter-dep87.html

Lizard1977

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#1502221 1-Mar-2016 16:01

I would support the other person who suggested contacting Apple. I had a problem with my iPhone 6 not having reliable wifi and bluetooth connectivity. I got Apple to call me back (via online support) where I explained the situation. The first person I spoke to was very nice and helpful, and indicated that while they would replace it, there would be a service charge. I mentioned CGA and she acknowledged it, but kicked it up to her supervisor who swiftly waived the charges. New (refurb, probably) iPhone landed on my doormat 3 days later. While my iPhone was only 14 months old, I still think its worth following up with Apple. If it's not accident damaged, they will honour their obligations under the CGA, irrespective of their stated warranty term.

jpoc

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#1502281 1-Mar-2016 17:33

I am currently using an iPhone 3GS.

It is five and a half years old and it works just fine.

It has been well looked after and has lived its whole life inside an otterbox defender.

I did replace the battery. That cost me about ten bucks from AliX and I did the swap myself.

surfisup1000

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#1502316 1-Mar-2016 18:00

WyleECoyoteNZ:

The IRD state, for depreciation purposes, the useful life of a smart phone is 3 years

http://www.ird.govt.nz/technical-tax/determinations/depreciation/depreciation-deter-dep87.html

That is perhaps more to do with the software performance of the phone, as opposed to hardware durability.

My old ipad 3 for example, has terrible performance, but otherwise works just fine.

mattwnz

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#1502318 1-Mar-2016 18:08

I think it all depends on how much it has been used and abused, and the sign of wear on it. It is likely that the fault is due to usage, eg water damage. I know so many people whose phones have been sent in, and water damage voids their claim, even if the problem may not have been directly related to it. It is almost impossible to prove otherwise. But a $100 phone should last more than 2 years IMO. 3 years is probably about right if t is well looked after, eg never dropped, taken outside into the rain etc. They say it is 5 years for a PC, and I believe people have made successful CGA claims for PCs of that age.

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dafman

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#1502333 1-Mar-2016 18:27

I reckon you will be hard pressed beyond 24 months, I'd rate the average life of a mobile phone around two years, nothwithstanding the few people, more careful than the majority, that can push the usage for some years further. Will be interested on hearing the final outcome.

tardtasticx

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#1502334 1-Mar-2016 18:30

Geektastic:

My iPhone 6+ cost about $1400.

I would expect a device that expensive to last at least 5 years physically speaking - rather than last 5 years in terms of software compatibility etc.

Jeez, I'd just forgotten how much I spent on my 6S + D;

At that price, I'd definitely expect it to last 4-5 years, or as long as Apple provides software updates which seems to be around 4 years now.

PhantomNVD

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#1502346 1-Mar-2016 18:51

And while awaiting you claim, just use the touchassist button in disability services meantime?

sir1963

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#1502437 1-Mar-2016 20:43

I would argue that Apple has positioned themselves as a premium product.

Apple also offers extended warranties of up to 36 months, so they obvious believe that should be

well within the time frame where high reliability can still be expected.

sir1963

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#1502441 1-Mar-2016 20:45

dafman:

I reckon you will be hard pressed beyond 24 months, I'd rate the average life of a mobile phone around two years, nothwithstanding the few people, more careful than the majority, that can push the usage for some years further. Will be interested on hearing the final outcome.

My old 4s is going on 5+ years

My 5s is coming up 2 1/2 years

Heck my 3GS still mostly works, the battery life is crap and the wifi is dead but the rest still works, and that is about 7 years

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itxtme

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#1502487 1-Mar-2016 21:57

surfisup1000:

WyleECoyoteNZ:

The IRD state, for depreciation purposes, the useful life of a smart phone is 3 years

http://www.ird.govt.nz/technical-tax/determinations/depreciation/depreciation-deter-dep87.html

That is perhaps more to do with the software performance of the phone, as opposed to hardware durability.

My old ipad 3 for example, has terrible performance, but otherwise works just fine.

Not sure if you quoted correct comment. If you did - depreciation is the time determined until the asset is fully paid for by the business. In my mind that indicates life expectancy to be 3 years at least. Given your phone is less than this I would agree you have a claim under the CGA. IMO this IRD information supports your cause.

loceff13

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#1502528 1-Mar-2016 23:31

disputes tribunal fee is $90 these days but it's an easy win(typically spark would provide a resolution well before the hearing date)

surfisup1000

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#1502530 1-Mar-2016 23:35

dafman:

I reckon you will be hard pressed beyond 24 months, I'd rate the average life of a mobile phone around two years, nothwithstanding the few people, more careful than the majority, that can push the usage for some years further. Will be interested on hearing the final outcome.

The 2015 consumer reliability survey found that 92% of smart phones are ok up to 3 years.

They go on to say that CGA is to sort out the minority that fail due to faults.

sxz

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Ultimate Geek
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#1502581 2-Mar-2016 08:15

My iphone 4 lasted me 3 years, then my Mate used it for another 2 years, then he only got rid of it last year when he smashed the screen. So that's 5 years.

My nexus 5 is coming up to 2.5 years old, and is still perfect.

My dads iPhone 4s is still going strong for him after 5 years. All he's done is replaced the battery. Same with my sister's iPhone 4s.

My mums iPhone 5 is still going strong after 3-4 years. Same with several of my colleagues.

I have not really recently heard of a phone just giving up the ghost - usually its a smashed screen or water damage (why people can't look after their phones, I don't know!)

Some cheap rubbish Android phones may be redundant in terms of processing power after 2 years, which helps people think phones should be replaced often, but Apple only make high quality expensive phones. Keep in mind that the CGA states that a product must be reasonably durable having regard to the cost of the item. This means an iPhone must last longer than a cheaper Android phone.

There is no way Telecom would win a CGA claim in the disputes tribunal for an iPhone that failed after 2.5 years, unless there were signs of physical damage caused by you.

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