SydLexia.com - The Forums :: View topic - How long are cell phones designed to last?

Posted: Mar 08 2009 01:36 pm

My buttons are all whacked out, I have to press really hard for it to feel it, which is annoying not to mention distracting when I'm driving or texting.

It's a lg_vx8100 and I've had it almost two years, do they really just crank these plastic turds out without a thought towards quality, hoping we'll buy the next big fancy thing? I don't wanna watch the trailer for Watchmen and listen to 50 cents latest ditty while forwarding chain emails to everyone on my buddy list, I just want a motherfucking simple phone, you know for like PHONE CALLS! Mad

I'd say I miss the days when things were built to last but I believe that was a long time before I came around. Confused

Any one else have any similar complaints / stories and or suggestions? Question

Title: Alexz Aficionado Joined: May 21 2008 Posts: 2889

Mine's on a 2 year contract too. It's showing signs of wear.

It doesn't always ring, the display is messed up from an accident Razz

Also, DON'T WASH your phone. It'll be ok, as long as you remove the battery and let it dry out, but remember it's in your pocket Smile

I'll probably be getting a new phone sometime next year.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

Cellphones were more sturdy in the 90s. They make them so small now, that they're incredibly fragile. They used to last years, now mine crap out on me in a year or 2.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Based on observation (not stats) I would say that cell phones are designed to last for 18 months.

If you have a cell phone that doesn't last that long, you have the right to be pissed.

If your cell phone lasts longer than that, you can brag about how awesome it is.

The technology changes often enough to warrant replacement after about 12 months, so it isn't that bad of a deal except that the cell phone companies really get you when they require 24 months between purchases to get a "deal".

Docinsano's Channel 63 · Posted: Mar 08 2009 02:42 pm

It is to my knowledge that cell phones generally last two years, the usual contract length. Plus, it usually seems every 2 years the cell technology changes. Fuck cell phones, they are worthless pieces of garbage.

Posted: Mar 08 2009 03:05 pm

The phone I'm posting this message on (T-mobile sidekick LX) was given to me.. it's a year and 2 months old. Still alright, It's just that the trackball can only scroll sideways (so I have to use the D-pad most of the time), and the MicroSD card slot is crapping out, so no music or camera storage =/ But as long as I can call, surf the internets, and use AIM, then I'm all good.

I might be getting a G1 soon, and when that happens, I'll be seeing you guys on IRC, like 24/7 =p

Posted: Mar 08 2009 03:11 pm

My cousin lost his cell phone last night. We were walking home from the bar and a train came by and stopped on the tracks blocking the road (like always Rolling Eyes

) and where we were standing, there was only a flat car in front of us. We knew the train would be there for 10-20 minutes, so we hopped over. He dropped his phone when he hopped up. So after the train left we tried looking for it, to no success. So it might be in America now.

But on topic, that thing was fucking STURDY. But that's cuz it was so old.

Posted: Mar 08 2009 03:25 pm

Ghandi wrote:

DON'T WASH your phone. It'll be ok, as long as you remove the battery and let it dry out, but remember it's in your pocket Smile

Got a worse one, I dropped my previous cell in the toilet, while I was answering it. Totally killed the screen, and when I turned it on it made a weird SCREEEEE static noise and shut back down. Kinda glad it broke, wasn't really looking forward to holding the potty cell to my face. Razz

Posted: Mar 08 2009 03:36 pm

i have a samsung a900 or something like that. had it two years. still works fine. the outside of it looks like crap, cause i always have it in my pocket and i never bought a leather case for it, so it looks ridiculously worn out.

but the buttons work fine. the screen is ok. the outside display is a little scratched up, but nothing i cant handle. every now and then it freezes up so i have to remove the battery for a minute or so and then turn it back on, but other than that, its still running strong.

Posted: Mar 08 2009 11:05 pm

I'm currently the only person I know who doesn't have a cell phone. Based on stories I've heard, they don't seem very durable; one time my sister almost ripped my head off because I accidently knocked her cell phone off my couch, a 1.5 foot drop to the floor. Confused

I like something in my hands that doesn't feel like it's going to break if I basically don't breast-feed it every day and constantly hold it in a soft cotton towel.

Posted: Mar 09 2009 12:35 am

I have a cell phone but I hardly use it. I've had it since 2005.

Posted: Mar 09 2009 02:58 am

I represent the Nokia 5110, its got awesome features like monochrome screen, a full non-qwerty numberpad, A CLOCK, and some kick as games like..."Move the dot towards other dots and when you do the dots you move gets longer. They call it snake or something. Oh and it's got a calculator and I can store up to 25 people in my contacts list. ITS FUCKING SWWWWWWEET.

Posted: Mar 09 2009 03:54 pm

I've got an LG somethingorother from Verizon. Had it going on...three years now I think. Not sexy in the slightest, and is beat all to hell between being carried around on a ranch for a year, and constantly being in the pocket of my ASU's while I'm in the field, bit it stills works and is still going strong. My only quibble is lack of customization (you can't download your own rings or anything), but it does have an alarm, a clock, a calculator and a camera. If and when I get a new one, it will be an upgraded version of the same thing. Smile

Posted: Mar 10 2009 01:11 am

Douche McCallister wrote:

I represent the Nokia 5110, its got awesome features like monochrome screen, a full non-qwerty numberpad, A CLOCK, and some kick as games like..."Move the dot towards other dots and when you do the dots you move gets longer. They call it snake or something. Oh and it's got a calculator and I can store up to 25 people in my contacts list. ITS FUCKING SWWWWWWEET.

I loved playing Snake on this model. I'd always want to use my mom's phone to play it. Smile

Posted: Mar 10 2009 04:05 pm

SoldierHawk wrote:

I've got an LG somethingorother from Verizon. Had it going on...three years now I think. Not sexy in the slightest, and is beat all to hell between being carried around on a ranch for a year, and constantly being in the pocket of my ASU's while I'm in the field, bit it stills works and is still going strong. My only quibble is lack of customization (you can't download your own rings or anything), but it does have an alarm, a clock, a calculator and a camera. If and when I get a new one, it will be an upgraded version of the same thing. Smile

How in the hell can a cell phone be sexy? Confused

Stop assisting the marketing department in their campaign to corrupt the language and trick us into buying even more stupid shit! Razz