About this episode
This episode discusses the implications of frequently upgrading tech devices and the importance of proper disposal.
What did you do to your old phone when you upgraded to a new model? Too many of us are doing the wrong thing. In this episode of Which? Shorts, we explain why buying a new piece of tech when the model you're upgrading from is still perfectly serviceable is doing more harm than good, especially when you don't dispose of them properly. In a recent survey of Which? members, more than 50% of smartphones and tablets that had been replaced over the previous five years were still in working order. So, how often should you actually upgrade? And what should you do with the devices you no longer need? Find out which laptops we recommend on our website & sign up for our free monthly Tech ne wsletter If you're not already a member, join Which? to instantly listen to member exclusive podcasts and gain access to all of our product reviews - all for 50% off your first year's membership
Topics covered
- technology
- sustainability
- consumer behavior
- upgrading devices
- electronic waste
Keywords
- tech upgrade
- old phone
- device disposal
- smartphone survey
- Which? recommendations
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Which?
Products: smartphones, tablets, laptops
More episodes of Which?
- Is the government doing enough to protect consumers? · June 11, 2026 · 40 min
- Why no one should mourn the condenser dryer · June 9, 2026 · 6 min
- Copy trading: An increasingly popular form of investing - is it worth the risk? · June 4, 2026 · 33 min
- How to slash your mobile network contract in 10 minutes · June 2, 2026 · 8 min
- A third of us are facing pension poverty - what can you do? · May 28, 2026 · 34 min
- Why you don’t need to spend big to look good and sleep better · May 27, 2026 · 1h 12m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Which? podcast page.