I'm at the Age of "If It Isn't Broken, I'm Not Getting Another One"

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed something about myself: if something I own works just fine, I see no reason to replace it. Call it practicality, minimalism, or just not wanting to be caught up in consumerism. The “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” mentality has become more and more relevant, especially when it comes to tech.

Take my phone for example. It’s almost six years old at this point, and while most people would have upgraded by now, I haven’t felt the need to. Thanks to the beauty of AOSP (Android Open Source Project) custom ROMs, it’s still running Android 14, and honestly, it’s performing just as well as newer devices out there.

Why Replace What Works?

In the fast-paced world of tech, there’s constant pressure to upgrade. New phone models come out every year with promises of better cameras, faster processors, and shiny new features. But here’s the thing—if my phone is still serving my needs, why should I swap it out for a new one?

Sure, my phone is “old” by today’s standards, but it does everything I need:

• It runs the latest apps smoothly.
• It’s secure, thanks to the custom ROM updates that keep it current.
• Battery life is still solid.
• The performance is perfectly fine for my everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and music.

For all the hype surrounding new releases, there’s nothing my old device can’t do that a newer one would dramatically improve. And frankly, there’s something satisfying about not being swayed by the constant cycle of upgrades.

AOSP Custom ROMs: Breathing New Life into Old Hardware

One of the reasons my phone has lasted so long is because I made the switch to an AOSP custom ROM a couple of years ago. For the uninitiated, AOSP custom ROMs are community-driven versions of Android, designed to run on a variety of devices. They often come without the bloatware of stock ROMs and can be more optimized, giving older hardware a new lease on life.

Currently, I’m running Android 14 on my almost six-year-old phone, which seems like a minor miracle in itself. The ROM community has kept my device up-to-date with security patches and features, and it’s actually improved performance compared to when I was using the original manufacturer’s software.

With this setup, I’m confident my phone can last another couple of years or at least until the hardware physically gives out.

The Perks of Not Upgrading

There’s something liberating about sticking with what works and resisting the pull of the upgrade culture. Here’s what I’ve realized:

• Cost savings: New flagship phones can easily cost $1,000 or more. By keeping my current phone, I’m saving a lot of money.
• Focus on utility: My phone is a tool, and as long as it continues to serve its purpose, that’s all I need. It’s easy to get caught up in specs and features, but at the end of the day, it’s about utility.

Will I Ever Upgrade?

Eventually, yes. There will come a time when my phone’s hardware will no longer be supported, or it will stop functioning altogether. But that’s a problem for future me to deal with. Right now, my phone does everything I need, and I’ve grown quite attached to it.

In the meantime, I’ll keep enjoying my reliable, six-year-old companion and the satisfaction of knowing that I’ve squeezed every ounce of value from it. So, until it’s truly broken, I’m sticking with it.