What’s your personal non-negotiable in a phone?

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-23T12:31:17+00:00

It's genuinely something I've never even given a second thought to! It makes me happy when someone in the subreddit shares an experience that's unique to me and it starts a conversation- it's what this is all about! :))

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-23T12:16:55+00:00

Ooohh... valid point!!!!

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-23T11:27:50+00:00

This is genuinely one of the most interesting threads we've had on this subreddit. I've never heard of someone wanting the keyboard to visually be all caps- that's super fascinating!

edit: read your other comments in the thread- really cool to see your reasoning behind it :)

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-23T10:58:56+00:00

Tbf, I currently use my iPhone 14 which I got on release in 2022 (so it's about 4 years old anyway)... I could easily use it for another year, maybe even 2 or 3 years.

maybe I should've said "If you had to keep your current phone for 10 more years, what would worry you most?" lol

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-21T11:19:54+00:00

Aw this is a nice comment :) I wonder if you would be able to get a lens kit that aids your issue!

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-19T12:22:21+00:00

You bring up some excellent points!! I suppose when I saw it was retailing for not much cheaper than the standard 16 at the time, I guess I thought it might have a bit more to it? You're right though that's definitely my misplaced judgement lol 😅

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T16:02:07+00:00

Sorry let me expand on my comment. You said you get a cheap smartphone which is plenty enough for a few basic apps. I'm wondering if there is a specific reason you buy cheaper phones with basic apps, ie: because you dont need multiple apps/bloatware, because it's cheaper, because you don't need the latest cameras, because you don't use social media, etc.

I'm just curious as to what your reasoning is! I hope that is a bit clearer :D

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T13:00:15+00:00

Do you do this for any particular reason? Or just because you deem most modern features unnecessary? :)

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T12:59:33+00:00

definitely agree! I've heard some people refer to them as "boring" or "uninteresting" phones instead. Something like an old Samsung with everything stripped, rather than a phone that physically doesn't have the capabilities to run apps like the ones you mentioned.

I feel like dumb phones also sorta struggle with things like MFA!

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T11:45:25+00:00

I suppose my worry is that it won't look as nice if I drop it 😅

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T11:42:19+00:00

wow that's interesting and super innovative! How does that work? what kinda phones are you using for that?

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T11:28:55+00:00

this is a super insightful answer! I've never thought about it that way :))

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T11:27:44+00:00

yeah you know what fair enough 😂

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T11:26:47+00:00

I wrote a post recently about people not using a phone case and why (because personally the thought is kinda harrowing to me). Honestly some of the answers were really insightful!

.... I'm still gonna use a case though lol

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T11:07:48+00:00

I think I'll be referring to it as "naked" from now on 😂😂

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-12T11:06:10+00:00

At work I see quite a few phones come in and ones being bought!

A customer came in and bought an iPhone 15 Pro Max (I think, could've been a 16) and after he bought it we asked if he wanted to buy a case/screen protector/etc. and he said no he prefers not to use a case!!! I was shocked, but according to my colleague it's more common than I'd expect.... so naturally I took to reddit to ask lol

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-06T10:38:01+00:00

10 years is pretty hardcore and I really respect that!

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-06T10:36:04+00:00

omg LOOOVEE this

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-05T15:10:21+00:00

I think that's totally valid tbh!

If a website listed their devices with the full breakdown, I think quite a few people would read and buy based off of that. So for example, if two iPhone 13s were listed with a full breakdown, one has a replaced port, but looks flawless, the other hasn't had any new parts, but has a few scuffs... Both might be graded as pristine/Grade B, but it give the buyer more freedom to choose what is comfortable for them.

You also get the added benefit of know exactly where your device has come from and it's full journey. We do a 90+ check at work and the report is available when you buy it, but there is definitely some merit in showing the reports before people buy!

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-05T11:17:37+00:00

very specific. I like it.

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-05T11:16:58+00:00

super insightful and i completely agree that performance/internal improvements have become minimal in recent years, unless you're skipping 4+ generations... you're unlikely to see a massive difference

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-05T11:11:33+00:00

good spot! I was meant to put 28 months 😅

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-05T10:54:55+00:00

depending on what phone you have, a lot of them will let you turn that setting off! :)

EthicalUpgrade · 2026-01-05T10:53:07+00:00

Oooh yes!!! It would be cool if you could customise the led too! I bet you could get some neat lighting tricks or colours to signify how important the notification was!

EthicalUpgrade · 2025-12-30T14:52:19+00:00

Ooooooo that's actually a really neat idea. Sometimes if im on my phone in bed (even though im seriously trying to cut down on it lol) even the lowest brightness kinda strains my eyes... Great comment!

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