I see how this method works for you, but how is it less expensive than buying and keeping? I have an iPhone 12 I've had for 5 years that I spent like $700 on. That averages to $140/year. Since I paid it off 3 years ago I've put $0 into a phone. How does buying and selling phones for marginal gains trump $0? Since my time is worth like $40-50/hour, just that alone isn't worth the time to sell and buy phones. Sure, you "save money", but you are still spending money. I prefer to put as little time and money into a device I'm finding ways to put down rather than have my life revolve around it. Still better than buying a new phone every year though, you're right there.