The urge for a new phone

This time of year is smartphone season, with most of the top tech companies releasing new devices.

Samsung has the Note 8, Apple the iPhone 8 and iPhone X while Huawei and Google are due to release new flagship phones next month.

The announcements have made me look at my current three-yearold phone a bit differently.

Its screen suddenly seems dull even when cranking the brightness to maximum, and I’m now wondering if its 1.2-megapixel front camera could do with an upgrade.

Its plain design also looks boring compared to curved screens and notches, and I kind of like the idea of using my face instead of my fingers to unlock my phone.

Also, its battery life is fading fast.

Everyone wants a shiny new phone, but not everyone needs one

But while these newly released phones sound great, there is a downside - the need to pay between $1200 and $1800 for a phone with the latest tech. That’s about twice what I paid for my first car.

This is when you need to pause when tempted by tech.

Everyone wants a shiny new phone, but not everyone needs one.

If your phone is a few years old, then you won’t get too much benefit from a new device.

But if you’ve got a phone that’s about five years old, then now may be a good time to upgrade.

A lot has changed with phones in the past few years - bigger, brighter screens, faster wi-fi connections, improved cameras and better battery life.

You also get the latest software and better security.

I’m going to take a close look at all the new devices once they’re released.

I’ll then narrow down my shortlist and compare them to my current phone.

If there’s a feature I really need then maybe I’ll splash out.

But I think I already know the answer - my phone is still good enough.

My main camera still takes good photos and videos and the screen is still easily readable.

However, I might look at a new case that has a built-in battery to make sure it lasts a full day.

It’ll then work fine - until next year when I see the latest crop of new phones and I’ll again be tempted to replace it.