9 Reasons Not To Rush Your Next Smartphone Upgrade

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Here’s why.

Apple's anticipated iPhone 6 is available in stores starting today. The long queues and record amount of pre-orders (4 million) has sent workers in Apple factories into high gear to produce more and more quickly. This frenzy comes with many costs. If you are on the fence for upgrading your iPhone, or any electronic device, consider these points first:

1. Texting < talking

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Feeling a bit socially awkward lately? That's probably because you are. And that's probably because we spend more of our day using a robot to transmit messages than actually approaching people.

2.More phones=more waste (and environmental problems too)

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Americans discard around 140 million phones each year. These phones end up in dumps where they leach toxic chemicals into the soil and air. Many of these dumps are in Asia and Africa where workers and children sort through dangerous mounds of e-waste to salvage scrap metal and minerals for pennies. To lay your broken phone to rest responsibly use an e-stewards recycler.

3. Smartphone workers are getting sick

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Sure, factory workers aren't licking smartphones as they put them together, but, the coffee filters they get to cover their mouths sure aren't protecting them. Workers are exposed to thousands of dangerous chemicals in the manufacturing process; some Foxconn workers ended up with leukemia.

4. Technology is DESIGNED to break

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Ever shatter your screen or drown your phone in the toilet? It happens. Apple and Samsung are two of the biggest companies in the world, with some of the best talent. They could easily design a phone to survive everyday slips, but they don’t.

5. The Tag-a-longs you also need to buy

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Not the mouth-watering Girl Scouts cookie that magically encompass shortbread, peanut butter, chocolate, and love. The new case, charger, car charger, iHome speakers, etc you’ll also need to upgrade. And the extra work: transferring contacts, information, losing old apps. Here's how we feel about that:

6. "Upgrade your dishwasher once a year," said no one ever.

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When you buy a dishwasher do you assume that you’ll have to buy a better one every year? Annual upgrades imply that manufacturers know consumers are addicted to new gadgets and intentionally leave a lot of room for improvement with each generation.

7. Slow your roll, there’s no need to rush.

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Most phones have a longer life than they are actually used for. Hang onto yours until it's all duct taped and making phone calls without your butt’s permission. With cell phone stores as ubiquitous as gas stations, there will always be the option to fix or replace your phone if disaster strikes.

8. Upgrades actually cost money. Sometimes a lot.

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Ever find yourself humming "I need a dollar"? Save your bucks for something else because your student loans shouldn't be deferred due to your upgrade + accessories + data plan. It just doesn’t make sense.

9. Do you really, really need it?

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Remember that Kindle you bought a little while ago? That iPod Video that’s sitting in your desk drawer? Oh, and let’s not neglect that all-purpose laptop you have available to you.