GenX husband's dread of "having" to get a new phone

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activelyresting@reddit

I'm the same. Still on a phone that's 5 years old and no where near needing to upgrade.

But I've also been buying solely Samsung phones for over 10 years and I always immediately install Nova launcher and import my old "phone" virtually onto my new one.

Which means nothing changes at all, except for the size. I have tiny hands, I wish phones would stop getting bigger 😭

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notproudortired@reddit

Getting a degoogled phone without a lot of bloatware would probably reduce the trauma.

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I tried Google-infected Android for a few days last year when I got a new phone (a Pixel). It was shockingly bad. It required a Google account just to log in, and then it was full of shitty Google software and system services that I didn't want but I wasn't allowed to uninstall, and said Googleslop constantly spammed me with notifications about shit I didn't care about. It seemed like every time I picked it up to go somewhere, there would be at least a half dozen notifications inviting me to give them scans of my fingerprints, or give them my real email address, or informing me about some "feature" that I don't want but the OS won't let me remove. I don't know how the normies put up with that shit.

So, yeah, a Google-free phone probably would reduce the trauma for most people.

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notproudortired@reddit

I hear you. Ironically, Pixels are some of the most popular phones for de-googling.

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RearAdmiralP@reddit

Yeah, I appreciate the irony, but I was slightly annoyed by that. I would have preferred to buy another Sony, but the Pixel had the widest compatibility. I'm happily running CalyxOS on mine.

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Trolkarlen@reddit

I hate being forced to get a new phone. Mine works fine, and the new ones don't do anything better. They have marginally improved cameras, which I don't need. But after a certain number of generations, they won't support your phone, forcing you to shell out hundreds for a new device that you don't need nor want.

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YakumoYoukai@reddit

And that pisses me off. It's not like the hardware on my phone has gotten any slower. But the apps have. And they aren't doing any more than they did 5 years ago. So I have to shell out hundreds of dollars every few years so that lazy developers can stop paying attention to how many resources their software uses.

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Xx_SwordWords_xX@reddit

They're literally dummy proof. They'll transfer his data and apps over, and it will look the same, if he sticks with a Samsung. It's intuitive.

But he should be concerned that if he doesn't use it, he'll lose it (meaning, his mind).

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KookyComfortable6709@reddit

It's hard to move on from the Note 8. Such a good phone. 😞

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Quintipluar@reddit

A Gen Xer being computer illiterate makes me sad. We witnessed the full evolution of personal computers and spearheaded the modern IT industry. Millennials and Gen Z grew up with the stuff we built and the whole world is using interfaces based on our designs.

And yes I know I made a lot of generalizations there but I'm Gen X so whatever.

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Diafuge@reddit

1974 here. I've had a PC since 1999...

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ILikeItWhatIsIt_1973@reddit

It's not that he's computer illiterate, it's that he can't be arsed.

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temerairevm@reddit

This exactly. How many freaking times have we done this between phones and operating systems and software and mostly it’s just moving shit around for the sake of moving it around. Very little of it is actually an improvement, it’s just different. And at this point I don’t have a major tech sized hole in my life.

Also while I’m shouting at clouds, I would trade back in a second for my old iPhone with fingerprint unlock because Face ID is garbage and only works about half the time for me (yes I’ve dedicated hours to trying all the tips, it sucks and I want fingerprint back).

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Ill_Following_7022@reddit

Being GenX and having worked as a software dev for 25+ years you are right. Most new tech is just moving things around. Cloud computing is just moving where you're data lives. Social media hasn't done anything new in a decade. Phone updates are just marginal improvements. "AI" is just an LLM trained on your data, powerful, but not sentient.

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Steeliyedragon@reddit

I’ve been swearing since the early ‘00s that Microsoft moves feature X to menu Y and renames it just to justify the cost of selling a new version, so yeah…

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vf-guy@reddit

And every effing time, they make it less useful.

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VikingDadStream@reddit

Hey now. Upgrades are also plugging holes, that where purposely left open, to sell the new upgrade

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myheromeganmullally@reddit

This! I have been on Mac osx since 2001. Had ipods since beginning to end. iPhones since they were first available. I am actually purposely on an older iPhone with its second replacement battery. Because $1200 just to relearn every thing… nope.

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Mountain_Ladder5704@reddit

Come on. They haven’t changed that much since 2017. He’s not coming from a flip phone.

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TripMaster478@reddit

Yeh I think this is it. I'm computer literate heck half my job is implementing software. But personally changing to a new phone is just a pain in the ass I am so not interested. If my kiddo was old enough to do it for me I'd just toss it to him.

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DirtandPipes@reddit

I’ve always thought that’s what “computer illiterate” meant, “I’m too lazy to figure it out”. That or “I’m stupid as fuck and genuinely can’t figure it out”.

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king_john651@reddit

I'm like OPs husband, and I'm 29. I'm more than capable of doing it, I just don't want to

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ILikeItWhatIsIt_1973@reddit

No, computer illiterate means being unable to use a computer, or having little to no knowledge of computers. The reason for the illiteracy is irrelevant.

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Illustrious-Tap8069@reddit

This is it. I still have a LG L423DL. It's not that I don't understand how to use a new phone, I'm just a cheap bastard and don't want to pay for it.

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so-not-clever@reddit

I agree, waving off with my hand iPhone XR in the other

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Adept_Pumpkin3196@reddit

You don’t have to be illiterate to dread having to learn how to do something that shouldn’t need to be changed. I’m sick of them moving shit around. I just want to surf the net. Check my mail in Messages. It’s not rocket science.

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Reader47b@reddit

A lot of the changes are for graphic design or UX reasons or advertising reasons or this and that - and it's almost never better in my opinion. It always ends up requiring more steps, or looking more goofy and bulky and less efficient.

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Electric-Sheepskin@reddit

Yeah, I'm very much computer literate, but the older I get, the harder it is to learn new things, especially if something is changed for no apparent reason. Like if I've always been able to manage notifications via a particular path, and that changes, I'm always going to be forgetting how I get there now, and I will complain about why they changed it.

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Reboot-Glitchspark@reddit

Same. I'm a software developer. Been programming since the DOS days. Rode the waves of Windows, Linux, web application development.

I despise when they fuck up the UI and hide things you use frequently, just because some designer was bored. I hate when 'just a security patch' removes features you used and adds new unwanted ones. I hate when they take something that was working perfectly fine and shut it down and make everyone switch to something else.

And as a developer, seeing the cycles of development fads that come and go over the years, each one supposedly way better than the last, even though currently it's still just a half-baked and buggy re-implementation of the trend before the last one, which the last one was supposedly much better than.

After awhile you get tired of running in place and want to be able to just sit down and get stuff done.

Mature software for mature people. Not the flakiest, cutting-edge hot new thing of the week, changing every week.

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spudmarsupial@reddit

Me telling the cashier that the ham is really milk because I grabbed it from the fridge that HAS ALWAYS HAD MILK IN IT!

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coldbloodedjelydonut@reddit

I also don't want to be force-fed things. I should be able to decide everything, I don't need to be infantalized.

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TC_Stock@reddit

The majority of the Gen Z kids I meet are more computer illiterate than the average Gen-xer. Gen Z thinks using technology = scrolling Instagram.

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reachers_toothbrush@reddit

Do you watch 90's tech commercials like me

High Hopes is my favourite

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One_Hour_Poop@reddit

About a year or so ago I got into a yelling match with my older sister because she was having trouble with her phone and didn't understand what a browser was.

She was having trouble logging into IRS dot gov or something, so separately, our tech savvy Boomer aunt and I both advised her to switch browsers. I told her "I can't log onto my work website using Samsung Internet so I just use Google Chrome. That might be what's going on so just switch your browser." After seemingly agreeing with me, it became apparent after a few minutes that she didn't know what i was talking about. To make sure she got the point, I repeated "Use a different browser" a few times. Finally, frustrated with my constant repetition of something she didn't understand, she yelled, "Browser! Browser! What is 'browser'?? Auntie ___ keeps saying the same thing! I don't know what you're talking about!"

I was literally left speechless because i couldn't comprehend how an adult in the 21st century who regularly used to internet didn't know what a "browser" was. My incredulity led me to start yelling at her as to how dumb she could possibly be. My fault entirely, but when confronted with such a mind-numbing ignorance from an older sibling whom I'm supposed to look up to, it just sent me over the edge.

PS: Earlier this year despite using email regularly since the late 90s, I learned she also doesn't know how attach files to an email. 🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻

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Christopherfromtheuk@reddit

I've been tech support for family friends and work since forever. I started with a zx81 in 1981.

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trailrider@reddit

That's one of the things I hated about Johnny in Cobra Kai. 110% 'puter illiterate. Still using a flipphone, which I sorta get. But not having a clue how a laptop works because "I'm not a NERD!" is completely cringe. Types in "hot babes" in the search engine? Come on now.

I mean, I get the whole not wanting to learn how a new phone works and all that. I'm just at the point in my life where I just want shit to work w/o needing to read an owners manual for watching a fuck ton of Youtube vids. I love tech and all that but I'm just tired of constantly needing to upgrade.

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OneLessDay517@reddit

He's not computer illiterate. He just doesn't want to have to set up his whole freaking LIFE again every time he gets a new phone.

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in-a-microbus@reddit

Are we computer illiterate or are we just able to see through the enshittification and call out the dark patterns.

Google hasn't worked right since the penguin update, and now they're deploying AI to argue with us and tell us we have always been at war with East Asia.

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dj_1973@reddit

AI is based on data from crawlable web pages. How many true facts are actually on the internet, versus bullshit, lies, and general stupidity?

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in-a-microbus@reddit

AI is based on reddit posts.

Lots of reddit posts.

Reddit posts are sometimes written by AI.

AI has gone all human centipede

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VecchioDiM3rd1955@reddit

This. I got a work laptop, with a DVD burner, VGA and HDMI, a lot of USB ports, and detacheable battery. After six year of use the battery was shot, ro I asked for a replacement battery, but because it was out of warranty they give me a new lapto, yes more RAM, better cpu but the detacheable battery was no more, so the DVD burner and the VGA port. I redeemed the work PC for 90 euro, then I went to an hardware store that has a lot of batteries and got a replacement battery for 35 euro, so I got a new usable laptop for 125 euro. "Unfortunately" doesn't have TPM so isn't compatible with windows 11, but I've installed Debian, and it's ok for what I use it.

By the way I'm now on the third PC because the second one has Windows 10 installed, and was failing upgrate to Windows 11. So I got a third laptop, but this time I thing I'm not going to redeem it.

I have a 10 year old 22 inch LCD TV set that is not smart, bbut has VGA and SCART inputs, is full hd and works perfectly to watch TV, has also a working teletext system.

Now if for some reason if you need a 22 inch tv, you can find only 720 lines carap, that is smart, but is terribly slow and doesn't have neither SCART or VGA.

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CassidyStones@reddit

We're computer literate, but we live in a post-literate society now. It's like having a university level reading level, only everything is a tiktok video.

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bendar1347@reddit

East Asia? You are confused its West Asia. We have always been at war.

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Novel-Perception-606@reddit

No, just computer illiterate. "Learn a new phone" lol

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kittenpantzen@reddit

With Google specifically, I'm not sure how much of it I would chalk up to malice versus garden-variety enshittification, but their ai-powered search results are truly bad.

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Life_Grade1900@reddit

Google died when selling ads took over for web searches

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Foulwinde@reddit

It is all in how you grew up. My wife is more of an Xennial and she really id computer illiterate.

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Substantial-Toe96@reddit

Eurasia!!!

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RearAdmiralP@reddit

Not liking phones doesn't mean "computer illiterate". Both my parents were software engineers. I learned to type before I could write by hand. I started programming in BASIC and LOGO around the same time I learned to read. I work as a software developer for a tech company. I fucking hate Android and Apple phones. I own one because there are applications I want/need that are only available on Android and iPhone, but I'm not going to spend any more money or time than necessary on one of these pieces of shit.

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Illustrious-Tap8069@reddit

Yep. Nothing wrong with keeping something until it breaks.

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NFLTG_71@reddit

I used to be very computer literate until I started trucking and I wasn’t on the computer every day. I just bought a brand new laptop with Windows 11 and it to say that I’m lost half the time would be an understatement. But I’m getting there.

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Illustrious_Act_3953@reddit

You guys laid the ground work, yes but everything you did has been obsolete for decades now.

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purplishfluffyclouds@reddit

LOL

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Iko87iko@reddit

Right, I think I see what you're saying, things like reason, analysis, facts, science, empiricism, reproducibility, objectivity, etc

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Illustrious_Act_3953@reddit

Exactly especially things like the hardware, the software, the UI, all the cables, the processes and the common sense. It's all different and they all have several uses not just the one analog use things had in the 80's

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AmazingChriskin@reddit

Tech savvy Boomer here. Computer literacy has nothing to do with age.

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adeane22@reddit

Just be willing to learn and change that’s all

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purplishfluffyclouds@reddit

Even the people in IT get sick of never ending unnecessary “upgrades.”

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asyouwish@reddit

But it can have something to do with it. Some people were simply never exposed to computers in school or work. Others didn't learn them in school and then got a job that didn't need them until they were close to retirement.

And that doesn't even count all the people who work a job where they aren't at a computer.

We are young enough to learn as tech developed. Some boomers were skipped over or blind sighted by it all.

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stirnotshook@reddit

Couldn’t agree more. Boomer as well. My dad died in 2014 at age 88. I helped him build his first computer when he was newly retired. When he died he was webmaster for 2 organizations. He developed and managed them all from notepad. Being tech savvy or not is a choice.

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NotYourMom56@reddit

Thanks. You beat me to it.

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classicsat@reddit

We witnessed the full evolution of personal computers

So far ....

Except for high end uses, they have plateaued in capability maybe a dozen years ago.

I got a new(er) phone yesterday (Moto G Play 2024), to replace a phone (Galaxy S10) not a lot newer than OP's husband, so would end sooner or later. But it has a damaged screen (still usable), and barley working USB port (can charge with the right cord perilously just sitting in it, or limited wireless). I was getting a new provider anyways, so i took that opportunity for a new phone.

Just figure it out as I go. The pain is migrating stuff over. I have a bunch of IOT apps I have to remake passwords up and log into those apps.

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Sarsmi@reddit

I'd say Millennials are more likely to be tech savvy. Cell phones really weren't in widespread use until the early 2000's. By that time I was burned out on technology and didn't get a cell phone until my late 20's, and ignored most of the features. The most we had in high school were pagers. But millennials would have had the potential to have a cell phone in high school and more likely, in college.

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SpreadsheetSiren@reddit

At some point it just gets exhausting. Mostly because of the ever increasing price tag and the fact the mat many of the so-called improvements/upgrades rarely actually improve anything. More often than not, I find them more of an invasive pain in the ass.

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smapdiagesix@reddit

It doesn't have to be computer illiteracy. I just hate phones.

Desktops and servers and laptops are still at least a little bit fun and exciting; phones are almost completely just these shit things that I have to have.

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Efficient_Market1234@reddit

It's the one thing I've always said, is I never want to be one of those old folks who can't understand technology and refuses to learn.

I'm never going to understand every new teen trend or whatever, but those happen so quickly I don't know if teens can keep up...but I'm not going to be afraid of dealing with a new phone, or with AI, or whatever, even if I hate some of what companies have done to their products.

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ArtistFar1037@reddit

Right. Started on Vic 20!

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notevenapro@reddit

Right? This post makes me sad. There is some gen x dude out there that is computer illiterate

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Real_Run_4758@reddit

Millennials and Gen Z grew up with the stuff we built and the whole world is using interfaces based on our designs.

you’re lumping together kids who grew up with dos/win3.1/system6 with kids who grew up with iPads!

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WissahickonKid@reddit

I don’t have a problem learning a new phone. I have a problem with the fact that I took good care of my current phone & there’s still some spare disk space left. It’s just “out of date.” It’s physically incapable of being updated to apple’s newest OS although it’s still getting security updates at this point, so Apple claims. There’s a lot of stuff in it that’s bad for the environment. Yet I’m forced to discard it before its time because someone needs to make more money.

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Weird-Conflict-3066@reddit

Becky?

It's a galaxy S10 and yes every time I upgraded before it has been a major pain in the ass.

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zer00eyz@reddit

I work in tech. I write code for a living.

I have a newer, and nicer phone for my house (yes thats crazy) while I'm still dragging around my S10.

Would a bigger screen for my old eyes and over sized hands be nice... yup. Am I cheap, and this one is still perfectly fine... yup.

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GarionOrb@reddit

Yeah, I realize I'm no longer excited about getting a new phone. I know how to use one, I just don't want to deal with setting it up how I want!

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Fast_Courage_2934@reddit

Ive had several galaxy phones and he wont have any trouble figuring a new one out. They are fairly intuitive. It seems like the camera just gets better.

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Retiredandlovingit22@reddit

My husband carried a flip phone until one day it wouldn’t work when he needed to call 911, that’s when he got a smart phone. He’ll fuss about his phone but then fuss about replacing it. He was born in 1963 so I think he’s technically a boomer, right? I was born in 1965 so I think I’m a first year Gen X.

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Reader47b@reddit

I relate to your husband. I keep a phone as long as I possibly can...the new ones never actually seem better to me once I am forced to get one. I'm not computer illiterate - it's just that what I have works well enough for my needs, and I resent being forced into new and better and more expensive stuff I don't actually need, except for the fact that they've stopped servicing what I had...

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fozzy71@reddit

Pixel.

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reachers_toothbrush@reddit

I had a samsung s4 mini until it broke. My new phone is too big.

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infinitynull@reddit

S8 here. Bought a S25 ultra and haven't made the switch yet. S25 just sitting here. It's more about the data transfer that is giving me the heebie geevies. I'm plenty tech savvy, I just don't want to mess around with a thing that works currently.

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OrbAndSceptre@reddit

Meh. Move him to the iPhone. Getting a new one is so easy and seamless that he’ll go broke wanting new phones.

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troisarbres@reddit

When I bought my phone (S10) in 2019 I vowed to keep it until it no longer worked. I really didn't want to get in the routine of getting an upgrade every two years (local cell company lures you into staying with their overpriced plans with new hardware upgrades every couple of years!). Samsung no longer provides updates for it but it's still working! I'm hoping to get another few good years out of it still! 🤞🏻

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troisarbres@reddit

When I bought my phone (S10) in 2019 I vowed to keep it until it no longer worked. I really didn't want to get in the routine of getting an upgrade every two years (local cell company lures you into staying with their overpriced plans with new hardware upgrades every couple of years!). Samsung no longer provides updates for it but it's still working! I'm hoping to get another few good years out of it still! 🤞🏻

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lkeltner@reddit

Samsung Smart Switch in 2025 does 98.5% of the work for you.

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Erok2112@reddit

Just say no to Samsung. They love the lock in just like Apple does. Get a Pixel which is just straight Android.

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pocketdare@reddit

But most of the things you do on a phone are App centric which are phone agnostic. Also, just tell him to get a refurbished one. Best decision I ever made.

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Available_Actuary977@reddit

Where does one buy a refurbished one from a reputable seller?

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TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

I've had good luck on ebay.

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MadCatDisease666@reddit

Back Market

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Brilliant-Impress277@reddit

I've bought my last few phones on ebay. Both still sealed in the original box and had zero problems. Just make sure you buy from a seller with good reviews!

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friendIdiglove@reddit

First (and best) place to look is the manufacturer’s website. For example, go to apple.com, scroll to the bottom, and you’ll see a link to their refurbished and clearance section. Samsung has a similar refurb section. After a couple of less-than-stellar “renewed” experiences on Amazon, I generally only buy refurbished electronics if the manufacturer offers them directly.

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togocann49@reddit

Refurbished with the warranty has worked out well for me as well. This is what I do anytime I need a phone now.

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Magik160@reddit

Im on a refurb xr right now that ive had for years. Definitely go refurbished if you can. And typically 1/3 -1/4 the price of new

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TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

I've been a tech enthusiast since I was a kid, but even I loathe getting a new phone. I have everything setup on my current phone exactly how I like it, settings exactly how I want them, and I'm logged in to all of my apps. I hate setting up new devices and having to tinker with them. My current phone is a 2022 motorolla that is barely chugging along, but I'm resisting until it is dead.

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Gilgaberry@reddit

Millennial here with a OnePlus 3 (2016) I'm starting to notice commonly used apps no longer working for me either. I used to have the same early 2000s flip phone for like fifteen years until it fell apart.

If it works, why change it out?

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Icy-Union5743@reddit

How in the hell can it be that much of a difference? I could understand some trepidation if it was going from iPhone to Android or vice versa…

Sure, there will be some learning curve, but not only is it android to android but also Samsung to Samsung and all their garbage bloat.

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_WillCAD_@reddit

My current phone is about three years old, but the one I had before that lasted nearly six years.

It's not that I'm reluctant to get a new one - I love getting new toys - but my current one cost twelve hundred fucking dollars -$1,200!!!!! - so I'm not going to trade it in for a new one every year or even every two years, especially when it still works great.

So I'm keeping my current phone for at least another year. It's still going strong after three years, so there's no reason to incur another $1200 or $1500 expense. Hell, I might even get five years out of this one!

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Disastrous-Prune-169@reddit

Thats a big jump! He will love it.

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WildOkra9571@reddit

I always go to swappa and pick up something at least 3 years old or so. I don't like having a device that I'm afraid of losing or damaging.

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shotsallover@reddit

Android/iOS wars aside, one of the things I really like about upgrading an iPhone is that when the new phone comes in your old one throws up a QR code and your new phone slurps all of the apps and settings over. It's really quite awesome.

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ChavoDemierda@reddit

The Note 8 is the best phone ever made. I had mine for a couple of years before I finally killed it. I also dreaded getting a new phone, but I ended up getting a Motorola Razor and I love it!

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LayerNo3634@reddit

I was the go-to tech person at work in 2001. I was still holding my own in 2010. Somewhere between then and when I retired in 2021, I was barely keeping up with technology. Now that I'm retired, I have nothing besides my phone. I hate getting a new phone, because I feel so illiterate.

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TheBigNoiseFromXenia@reddit

I have an iPhone 6 I don’t want to upgrade because I like the small size. I don’t mind updating tech, but I want one that fits in my pocket.

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Hippy_Lynne@reddit

I'm exactly the same way. I keep my phones and laptops for at least 5 years. Even with all the "easy transfer" apps there's still a lot of stuff you have to set up or get used to. And there is always some feature I used on my old device that isn't available on the new one. 🤬

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Ok-Limit-9726@reddit

GenX middle dad husband,

I get a new phone every year,

Family hand me downs,

I love learning, getting new things!

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Independent-Crab-914@reddit

I have a galaxy s8 I've been fighting getting rid of mine too. Been to 2 continents, fell in 2 rivers and out of my lap getting out the car a million times, still works great. has an sd card slot and a headphone jack and no ai. I dont want a new phone either it sucks they stopped supporting it.

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Meng_Fei@reddit

I upgraded to an S23 some time ago, but the S8 was a beast. Like you, mine has been dropped, kicked, dunked in water and sat on. It still works, and I keep it as a backup in case anything happened to my new phone.

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whineybubbles@reddit (OP)

See, you get it! It's not that he's computer illiterate. He has 2 masters degrees one being computer science. It's that he's not a fan of change.

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SacriliciousQ@reddit

I get it too. I've been writing computer programs professionally for a quarter of a century. I still don't want to learn a new device or even a new version of Windows because they always change shit for no apparent reason. I knew where [x] was before, and now I gotta go digging for it. Or worse, they removed the feature entirely and now I have to figure out how to make it happen regardless.

I spend all day at work solving these kinds of problems. I don't want to solve them in my free time, especially not when I'm being charged money for the privilege. I hold onto tech until I have little choice but to replace it because it no longer does the handful of things I actually need it for.

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whineybubbles@reddit (OP)

This is it! He is just like this

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Independent-Crab-914@reddit

Lol I also dont like change. But tbh my phone is everything I want from a phone, and nothing I dont. New phones are everything I dont want, for a ahit ton of money, with little that I do. New phone is bigger, way more expensive, way more fragile, has a ton of features and things built into it I want nothing to do with or wont ever use, and very little that i would use that's better than my phone now, other than android updates I need to use banking apps and stuff. I t makes me angry that i HAVE to pay a shitload to get a new phone I'm not excited about, and being forced into makes me not wanna do it more lol.

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TheJokersChild@reddit

Should be able to port all his stuff right over since he's going from one Galaxy to another. Just...without all the space travel.

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Any-Concentrate-1922@reddit

As with cars, I keep phones as long as possible (until they stop updating or the battery dies). Phones are a source of waste.

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PuzzleheadedClue5205@reddit

Glad to hear he got an upgrade. But that Note 8 was a pretty sweet phone in its day.

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dannthir@reddit

lol My phone is also old and dont want a new one not because of technology but new phones are bigger and will not fit in my pocket

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SqualorTrawler@reddit

For me, I notice how easy it is to backup and transfer apps and data to a new phone compared to how it was, but when I get a new phone I start fresh just to clean it off. Same with PCs.

For me, that kind of thing is a downtime task, like after work when I'm sitting in my recliner, I'll just slowly set things back up.

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tehfrod@reddit

That's not a GenX thing.

That's a "given up on learning" thing, which IMHO is a "given up on life" thing.

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thelryan@reddit

I don’t know that I’d say feeling frustrated you have to get rid of an 8 year old device that works perfectly fine besides apps deciding to end support for it is not equivalent to “giving up on life”

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geekjitsu@reddit

The apps (or really the developers of the apps) don’t just decide to not support older hardware. The apps are doing things that require newer versions of the OS and the OS requires better/more powerful hardware. 8 years in microprocessors is 2 lifetimes…at least

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tunaman808@reddit

It's like everyone forgot the late 90s, when CPUs could go from 300mHz being top of the line to 450mHz being top dog two months later. That was a 50% performance increase between the start of summer and the end of summer.

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thelryan@reddit

Sure, and they could offer legacy versions with less features but it isn’t worth it to them to modify things like that to serve a small consumer base. I understand why it’s happening, I’m just explaining that being frustrated about this isn’t an example of somebody giving up on life. I’ve had the same computer for over 10 years and it still can do everything I need it to, phones can’t make it to 7 without being effectively phased out. That is frustrating

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tehfrod@reddit

OP said outright that the biggest issue is not wanting to learn something new (they even italicized the word "learn"), and that cost was only a secondary factor.

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thelryan@reddit

Right, why learn a new phone when the current one you have does everything you need it to do? Not everyone feels the need to have the most up to date micro progressions that things like cell phone companies already have figured out by choose to dole out slowly across each year to have something new for each model.

Giving up on life should be about not trying to explore or maintain your interests and relationships in your life, not because you don’t care for a new cell phone

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tehfrod@reddit

It didn't do everything he wanted it to do anymore. Per OP, he wanted to be able to update apps, and it was too old to do so.

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thelryan@reddit

It’s not that it won’t update apps and you want it to, it’s that the app will no longer allow you to use it on the older version. I know because this is exactly what happened to my phone from 2018 this year. I had all the apps downloaded that I wanted to use, they wouldn’t let me use the version I was on and tried forcing me to update to their current version, which the phone no longer supported. The phone was fine, the new phone I have is effectively the same thing, the difference is the OS is new enough that apps have versions built that they will still allow it to run on. My computer, in contrast, is running windows 7, which came out in 2009 and got updates until 2023

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tehfrod@reddit

Ok, so we're in agreement... staying with the old phone was not feasible. My position is that "dread" of moving to the new phone was unwarranted.

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thelryan@reddit

It would be feasible since the phone itself is fine, developers have chosen to not allow their apps to run on old versions which they could create legacy accommodations for but choose not to

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tehfrod@reddit

Unless OPs husband has service contracts with them or other ways to get them to support older hardware, no it wasn't "feasible" for him.

The issue is that, as new versions of OSs and frameworks come out, it is increasingly difficult and expensive (in terms of developer time) to keep supporting older ones.

In some cases it's physically impossible. For examp to support new features in phone version 10, I have to upgrade my app to use framework version 22. But if I use framework version 22, then I lose the ability to support phone version 5.

So do I tell everyone who buys new phones that no, I'm no longer accepting new customers because their phone is too new? Or do I tell the customers with phone version 5 from 2017 (all 4 of them) that they need to get a new phone?

[-]

kittenpantzen@reddit

I used notes from Note 2 until I got my Galaxy s21. I only upgraded them when something that I needed to use was no longer supported. And, yeah the most recent UI update to the Galaxy phones was a couple day adjustment, but overall they are essentially the same interface going back 15ish years. There isn't a lot of new to learn. But it is really frustrating to be forced to upgrade. Even used phones aren't cheap.

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thelryan@reddit

This is what I’m trying to say, some people are trying to convince me how old an 8 year old phone is in tech progress years as if tech progress hasn’t been stagnating the past 10 years. How much different is there really between, say, an iPhone 8 and an iPhone 17, besides it runs faster and has a nicer camera? It makes calls, it runs apps, it takes pictures. Most people are not taking advantage of whatever micro progressions being handed out to us for it to matter

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aaa_im_dying@reddit

His phone is 8 years old 🫣 it probably does not work perfectly fine, considering my own Gen X father. This guy has probably been making do with all sorts of disconcerting bullshit.

My dad’s phone, for the record, was 5 or 6 years old and quite literally coming apart at the seams. The case was keeping the two sides of the phone together, but I doubt that ancient otterbox would have stopped much shrapnel when the battery finally blew up. So, my dad was carrying around a small bomb held together by some old plastic and a dream! His apps not working was what pushed him to get a new one as well. That, and the speaker didn’t function anymore (he’s anti headphones).

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beargirlreads@reddit

That’s what I see here, too. I can’t hate on the guy for resisting this. I feel it too, and I love life.

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nadthevlad@reddit

A computer is only as smart as the person using it.

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Visible_Structure483@reddit

Or... it's because a new phone with new ways of doing exactly the same things as the old phone is just a waste of time.

I'm off doing lots of things that aren't centered around tech 24/7 so having to burn precious time away from that to relearn something for no reason other than 'progress' is dumb.

[-]

JamesMaysAnalBeads@reddit

But they're really no different - you just realize our last ones keyboard was unusably laggy, the touch calibration was half a centre meter off, and that your microphone was absolutely busted and it was super annoying for anyone you ever spoke to on the phone.

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muznskwirl@reddit

100% when you stop learning, you start dying.

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smallwonder25@reddit

Yep

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expletives@reddit

If my 85 year old father can learn an iphone(his first touchscreen device ever) the husband can get another android phone

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vonbonds@reddit

I’m a tech geek but hate dealing with a new phone so I get your husband’s reluctance. Good on your son to help. Love your description of him getting ready lol

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Digital_Pirate85@reddit

If you get an android phone nothing is going to change

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Iamstarstuff1972@reddit

To be fair, the Note 8 was sublime!

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UseACoasterJeez@reddit

I'm against pointless consumerism, especially e-waste that cannot be recycled. It's like a crime to me to buy a new phone every 12-18 months for minor, incremental upgrades just to satisfy what other people think. I take good care of the battery, so it still goes 18-24 hours between charges. I'm not a photographer, phone games are generally awful money pits, why do I need an upgrade?

Still rocking my 5-year-old Galaxy 21 Ultra, that I had to buy because the glass on my previous phone was broken in a freak accident (the screen itself still worked fine). Since phones are made to be virtually unrepairable, I had no choice (there is a machine that can freeze & separate the epoxy between the glass and the screen, but it costs about $30,000 so no repair shops have one).

Speaking of pointless consumerism and e-waste, Apple Airpods are unrepairable, everything epoxied together & the empty spaces filled with adhesive foam. In 2024 Apple made more off just Airpods than Nintendo made in total. That's awful.

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SoUpInYa@reddit

To me it's the things they're taking away from us since we developed cell phones: user-replacable batteries, expanded storage, wired headphones. To me, the choices have just gotten shittier

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GloppyGloP@reddit

That’s just sad. The day I stop wanting to learn new tech is the day I should just give up and die.

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xantub@reddit

I'm very savvy with computers, it was my major and my entire career, and yet I'm very reluctant using smartphones, like I use it mainly for the map and to read news while in the toilet and when waiting in line. So, people keep joking about me being so computer-literate but phone-illiterate. My cell phone is 4+ years old but working just fine for what I need, so not changing it any time soon (unless it breaks).

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Alltheprettydresses@reddit

My boomer dad is of the school of if it still works, why bother upgrading. He had to upgrade from his flip phone when the no phone driving laws changed. The basic earpiece wouldn't work with it because the phone was obsolete.

He eventually got a smartphone. He told the store he didn't want apps on it, not knowing that the apps make it work. He figured it out eventually and now he loves it, especially emoji, lol.

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Tyrone_Shoelaces_Esq@reddit

I detest getting a new phone. I'm not computer illiterate- I just hate planned obsolescence.

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EOD_Uxo@reddit

I still use my phone from 2009. Only had to fix the screen 3 months ago for 129.00. My ex gets on my case because my daughters and sons are the same way. Keep using it until it dies. My phone before my current one i bought in 1998, lol. It has nothing to do with hating technology. I hate spending 1k on a piece of crap I forget at home most times. I travel all over the world and never had an issue with connecting to local services, and the few times I did, I just bought a sub 100.00 phone and paid by month.

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Automatic-Suit-2126@reddit

I have a galaxy s9 from 2018. I love the thing. I've dropped it so many times and it keeps running. It does everything I need and the battery life is still good. I'm not afraid of tech. I set up my dads s24 and iPad. It has a headphone jack which is important to me as I want to keep radiation exposure down and not use a wireless headset. It fits in my hand better than the new phones. There's nothing wrong with tech, the new stuff is cool for about 5 minutes and nothing I need so it doesn't have a draw for me. I'm gonna keep using my phone until it dies. I've got other things I'd rather spent 1k+ on.

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aesoth@reddit

Phones are pretty generic nowadays. He won't really have to learn a new phone except for some smaller things. If everything is backed up to Google, it will download his old stuff and update the apps.

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MusicalMerlin1973@reddit

I’m done with learning new uis too. I’ve done it. A lot. There is no reason to keep materially reinventing the wheel. Especially when it obfuscates what used to be quick and easy to do. I HATE the radio on our 2022 f250. Sure the features are great. But the LAG for something simple like spinning the radio dial is awful. And the indeterminate amount of time it takes to boot is awful.

You make something new? It better be better. And by better I mean as fast if not faster than what you’re replacing.

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i_tell_you_what@reddit

I love the android app that just lets you sit your old phone next to your new phone and viola it zaps it all over to the new phone! I'm one of those gals that loves to sit for about 2 hours and hit every single button and customize every single thing I can (crap old people vision).

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Yeahwrite11@reddit

He’s lazy. That’s it.

Even worse are those who try to rationalize their laziness with “I’m just not a technology person.” I understand not wanting to pay for the next shiny new thing. But most people who say this are just willfully anachronistic indolent jerkasses refusing to learn anything new

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Special_Wrap_1369@reddit

My brother and I are both Gen X and fine with using technology. But we have “slow races” to see who can be the last person with a fully functioning phone.

When one of us finally has to cave and get a new phone the other one follows so we can start our “race” over again.

Since we got iPhone 3s in 2008 we’ve each owned the 3, 5, 7, and 12. We are about to finally be forced into the 17 due to my bro’s battery and charging issues.

As another poster said, avoiding new phones is because we loathe the enshittification that comes with every subsequent release. Not because we are bad with tech.

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teamgreenzx9r@reddit

I’m on an iPhone8 from ~2015. Coming from a Samsung this phone has been a disappointment from the beginning. But it made sense to take my wife’s hand me down. At this point I loath that phone. But it still works so I’ll keep using it.

[-]

rtduvall@reddit

Check out the Ulefone Armor 24 on Amazon. $399 and runs android.

Don’t sleep on those.

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BlastMode7@reddit

Hey... I don't like getting new phones either, but it's because I hate spending money on them. I get that other people love getting a new phone and spend countless hours looking at the stupid things... but I use them to communicate and barely for anything else. Not to mention how wasteful our society is and the burden the constant upgrade cycle puts on the environment.

And I say this as a VERY computer literate person.

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Polyxeno@reddit

Do I want updated apps?

(Laughing, still using Windows 7!)

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stirnotshook@reddit

Hope you don’t have anything important on there (or even your email). As a former IT director, there’s no way I would connect a computer to the internet that no longer received security updates. Good luck!

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Polyxeno@reddit

Been having good luck since about 2010.

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in-a-microbus@reddit

Everyone at work is scrabbling to upgrade to Windows 11 and I keep sending them ancient wisdom

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Captain_Wag@reddit

Release Vista was complete trash. Several thousand updates later, it was one of my favorites.

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Slipstream_Surfing@reddit

Recently upgraded printer after 15 years so reasons to still use Windows7 machine is down to Office2000 for creating customized spreadsheets, Adobe Acrobat 9 for PDFs, and a couple freeware apps for editing audio files that are probably available for Windows11 but I'm stubborn and loyal.

[-]

mydarkerside@reddit

I've been constantly reminded lately by Microsoft that support for Windows 10 is ending and I should upgrade to 11. At this point, they've probably just forgotten that you exist.

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Polyxeno@reddit

They have. It's so sweet to just have it work and run my programs, not their disServices.

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Itsworth-gold4tome@reddit

Your son or even your husband just needs to use the Samsung smart switch, its an app already installed in all of the phones. The new phone will have all of the exact same settings and all stored data and pics from the old phone. Its a 20 minute process. Easy Peasy

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GoldbonAppleSauce@reddit

You can’t take those on certain planes

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redpine@reddit

For any Samsung user, download the app "Samsung Smart switch" - the app transfers absolutely everything for you, and your new phone will be pretty much exactly like your old one (including your home screen)

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torodonn@reddit

This is pretty much why I have an iPhone.

Who has the time to mess around trying to learn how to get the phone to do stuff?

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ExpertIAmNot@reddit

I really loved my T-Mobile Sidekick back in the day, but the ability to adapt and accept changes is a true adult skill.

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jthmniljt@reddit

The only think I’m not getting involved in is tic tok and instagram. I’m have Facebook and Reddit. lol.

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lizlemon222@reddit

I love samsung, but i have to switch to iphone because someone (apple i assume) is becoming less tolerant of group texting with different phones. It keeps doubling (starting a new group text chat) on my end...and the iphones see me "leaving" the group.

I will miss the excellent picture quality, but lord apple rules and everyone i text with has iphone so im odd man out.

[-]

MegaMiles08@reddit

I also don't like getting a new phone, but not 8 years between new phones. Lol! Once the battery starts deteriorating, I'm ready. However, I definitely don't need anyone to show me how to use a new phone. I'm pretty tech savvy and enjoy learning new technologies.

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FamiliarPotential550@reddit

Honestly, Samsung Smart Switch does everything for you now. You will literally get your exact setup on the new phone. All the settings move over, it's why I keep going to new Sasungs instead of Google phones

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l00ky_here@reddit

My dad has a Track Phone (im sure its spelled differently) my mom has no phone, and I finally got a Galaxy 10fe last year. This is my first non-base model phone. The other ones were so small in memory I had no ability to use them for much.

[-]

BigAndTall1968@reddit

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DQuiet1@reddit

Since Samsung has their own suite of apps/ecosystem, I don't think you have a choice BUT to stay with Samsung. And since the Note 8 was a premium phone at launch you'll probably want to go with the Ultra line, especially if he wants to maintain the built in stylus integration. The more recent the model the better, otherwise you're shortening the date that the last OS/security updates will be supported. Maybe try to test one out in your carrier store? Good luck on your hunt.

[-]

ladyeclectic79@reddit

I’ve still got my iPhone XR from 2019. It’s starting to have the same issues (works fine but apps won’t update and I can’t even use some because it’s too old) and yet I’m not willing to change/upgrade because the damned thing still works just fine otherwise!!! It’s hard line to toe: I want to keep something until it doesn’t work anymore (penny-pincher here lol), but also want to keep up with the latest and greatest. Prior to this the longest I went between phones was 4 years (iPhone 6 to the XR/10), closing in on 7 years now in February w this phone.

Lmao holding out’s like a badge of honor for me now. 🤣😂

[-]

Dry_Photograph_3559@reddit

I remember a time when I would love getting new stuff and I would go crazy trying to understand every little thing about it. Now I have a car that after pushing buttons for 5 minutes I couldn’t figure out how to turn on the heater so I just drive around cold.

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MerlinsMentor@reddit

It's because the older devices (like your car) had yes, fewer options, but those options were relatively straightforward to explore, discover, and use. It's the difference between seeing a dial on your dashboard with a gradient from blue to green, and having to tab through "Environment / Profiles / Create Profile / TapTapTap to increment / Save Profile / Use Profile" (with a different set of menu options to pick an existing profile).

[-]

tehfrod@reddit

I truly do not get this attitude. "I'd rather be cold than figure this out or at least look it up"?

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CoffeeOrDestroy@reddit

Right? Google and YouTube still exist. Look it up and learn something.

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missangiep@reddit

LOL I feel him!! I 56F just got a new phone since 2017 ONLY because my boomer husband bought me a refurbished one :)

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askeworphan@reddit

My father (a gen x’r) still has an Obama phone…

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Few_Whereas5206@reddit

Yep. I had a flip phone for more than 10 years. Lol.

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baconcheeseburgarian@reddit

He's GenX he doesnt need a fucking manual.

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SubstantialPressure3@reddit

It's not nearly as hard to set up a new phone as it used to be.

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MerlinsMentor@reddit

As long as you're doing what the phone manufacturers expect you to want to do... maybe.

Doing anything on mobile (or tablet) that isn't the "curated experience" is typically a disaster -- especially as they change things so often even the documentation you can find online often isn't a help (documentation says to use options that no longer exist, etc.).

If you want to buy a new phone and simply transfer from your old one, yep, that's easy. And the REASON that it's easy is that it makes it easy to buy new phones (i.e. succumb to the marketing pressure to buy new ones / spend money).

[-]

Main_Cauliflower5479@reddit

I'm 1965 Gen X. The new phone is going to be that same as the old phone. (Meet the old boss, same as the old boss. Get it? Haha, only Boomers and Ten X will know this)

[-]

RearAdmiralP@reddit

There are people whose phone is their whole life. If your phone is your life, then of course you want the best one possible. For other people, it's just a tool, and the benefits of upgrading aren't worth the money or time spent on it.

I sympathize with your husband. I am not afraid of technology (far from it); it's just that I am not interested in that particular kind of gadget, so I would prefer not to waste time with it if I can avoid it.

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PezCandyAndy@reddit

I love technology, but I was extremely resistant upgrading from a flip phone to smart phone for as long as possible. Phone calls and texts were good enough. I upgraded around 2008 maybe, and earlier than I planned because my job required it. I like technology, but I also like simplicity, multiple options, and privacy. 15+ years ago was much easier because next to nothing was tethered to your phone and you didn't need it to be. Too many products, services, or even websites redirect you to their required phone app which is a little frustrating. I kind of miss the days when how a home computer was the hub for everything.

I use my smart phone more than I thought I would. I enjoy certain conveniences like GPS or Shazam, but heavily limit what I put on there and what I do with it. Absolutely no social media of any kind. Something I have always done is ask myself "Do I really need that?". I feel like too many people have forgotten that skill.

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RichR11511@reddit

I hate changing phones because the back up and restore never works quite as well as they advertise. I stick with Motorola because of battery life (and I'm cheap).

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Mark_Underscore@reddit

My silent generation father is 92 and just bought a new iphone. Tell him to suck it up.

I use my phone for EVERYTHING. It's my gps, it's my audiobook player, it's my music player, hell it's my wallet.

I can't imagine going through life fighting with a 8 year old android phone. Life is too short.

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Urbanwriter@reddit

Being afraid of a new phone is bordering on Boomer. Definitely getting old.

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Robyn_withaY@reddit

Both my husband and I recently had to get new phones. It has become a very stressful experience, almost as bad moving.

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daphatty@reddit

If he’s truly Gen X, tell Nancy to suck it up, grow a pair, and get a new smartphone. Or hand him a flip phone. Either way, he’s not representing our generation and needs his card pulled. /s

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imtoowhiteandnerdy@reddit

For me it wouldn't be about using a different phone. These days switching phones isn't that hard as long as you have your stuff backed up to the cloud. For me it's mostly about the expense as smartphones have become expensive AF.

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CocaineSmellsFunny@reddit

I hate getting a new phone. I’ve only had 5 different phones over 16 years. It’d be less, but one of them broke. I’m only 46

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watchedclock@reddit

Same. I’ve only had three smart phones. A Galaxy S3, LG G5 (still in use as a radio player for my desk) and iPhone 11 Pro (switching to Apple so I could be a more effective tech support for my Mum). No intention of getting another unless mine breaks or something new what actually would be used is added.

[-]

Kamelasa@reddit

I just got my first Samsung phone and first real phone plan. It's 5G and should last 10 years before I have to get another. It's my fourth phone. Was a giant learning curve and I don't have kids to help me. However, all my friends already had such phones for years and years - lol. I was their tech support with computer and phone stuff beyond the basic interface, and now they are mine helping me with the not-so-basic unfamiliar interface.

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churros4burros@reddit

We’re Jitterbug’s next target audience…

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jezebella47@reddit

Right? I'd be like, awww, pop-pop, you want me to get you a jitterbug phone with your AARP discount? No? Then sack up and quit whining.

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Xanthius76@reddit

You dropped your /s, I think you can pick it back up. Her husband sounds way more Boomer than Gen X.

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oldschool_potato@reddit

My thought exactly. If you're born on those fringe years it can go either way. My sister is 65 and full boomer.

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firefly317@reddit

Yep, and my other half was born in 64 and is definitely GenX mentally not boomer.

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evilJaze@reddit

I wonder if they make a Gen X equivalent to the Jitterbug phone for technophobe boomers?

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cruisereg@reddit

1000% agree. None of us has time for BS lol

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ShakespearianShadows@reddit

gif

You know the phone to give him…

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demopat@reddit

My disappointment is immense.

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NineLivesNoFucks@reddit

Came here to say this.

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Deep-Ad-9728@reddit

🎯

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imtoowhiteandnerdy@reddit

I always wonder eventually when we all end up in the elderly care home what it's going to be like to have a generation of tech literate old people. People sitting around arguing about whether Perl or Java is better will be pretty interesting.

[-]

ScootsMgGhee@reddit

This makes me sad. Our generation went through the evolution of the home pc and birth of the internet. We have evolved so much with the technology that changing to another device should be seamless, yet so many struggle.

[-]

bloodsoed@reddit

I am the same way. If I could still keep a flip phone. I’d gladly would.

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Mendo-D@reddit

Who needs a new phone when you can just pull out your captain crunch whistle at the pay phone and open up the trunk line with the 2600 MHZ sound? What do you mean I can’t do that anymore? Dammed county is going to hell in a hand basket I tell ya. (Yells at a cloud)

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No1CouldHavePredictd@reddit

I just went through this with my husband. He's on the spectrum so I knew it was going to be a challenge. His phone stopped giving audio notifications a year ago. The phone also could only answer calls on speakerphone, if he noticed them coming in at all. We got him switched over to a Samsung 20 because I bought it a year ago for home to switch over to. I set everything up four weeks ago.

He still complains everyday about how things are different with the new phone. If I could just give him a wall stationed rotary dial and tell him the STFU, I so totally would.

[-]

The1Ylrebmik@reddit

My wife and I are using iPhone 11s. We get new ones when we get offers from our phone carrier.

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Myeloman@reddit

Meanwhile my boomer MIL has to have the latest iPhone yet refuses to let anyone show her how to use literally any of the features, and she’s basically just using it for phone calls and texts. And we don’t even get hand-me-downs… 💀

[-]

Nofanta@reddit

iPhone SE is cheap and iOS never really changes so you do t need to relearn everything.

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Life_Grade1900@reddit

Your sons response is hilarious

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One_Hour_Poop@reddit

My Galaxy S9+ from 2018 is still going strong.

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notevenapro@reddit

Jesus! How can a real deal gen xer need help with a new phone. OMG

[-]

angrypacketguy@reddit

I don't like dealing with the latest enshittification new phones have to offer either. That's why the first thing I do is flash the new Pixel phone with Graphene OS so's I degoogle all the bullshit out of it. Not everyone handles annoying technology the same.

[-]

Business-Penalty9060@reddit

I don’t blame him for not wanting a new phone! I had to get a new iPhone 17 as my previous iPhone 11 was not holding a charge. It’s been such a pain just resetting all the log in info and passwords. I backed up data with cloud so that saved some time, but Damn it’s been a process!

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Mobile-Boss-8566@reddit

It’s stupid how they purposely make this any many other things obsolete. It’s just a big stupid money grab.

[-]

whineybubbles@reddit (OP)

Agree

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ChiSchatze@reddit

Unpopular opinion, but he should get whatever phone someone helping him has. I “forced” my mom to get an iPhone after being annoyed trying to figure out how to do stuff on each Android. Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel are probably superior phones, but iPhones are easy to use and you don’t fuck up the group chat.

[-]

stomperxj@reddit

Android is Android for the most part. Tell him to quit being a bitch and suck it up

[-]

sgtsausagepants@reddit

My smartphone will last me a while but I am concerned about how long it will take to find the eventual replacement, as I am sure all the current new ones are being stuffed full of unnecessary chatbot nonsense.

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shan68ok01@reddit

The basic Samsung OS your husband is used to is still there. There's new bells and whistles added, but i mostly ignore them. So basicly, if he sticks with Samsung the learning curve isn't huge.

[-]

spyder7723@reddit

Op, I was in a similar boat. I loved my note and did not want to move on from it. The s24 i got is extremely similar. Very few things are different about it and I was able to pick them up and adapt rather painlessly. It even hadls the built in s pen just like the note.

Find some literature on the s24 and show to your husband, he will like it.

[-]

whineybubbles@reddit (OP)

He just came home with the S25 Ultra and seems excited.

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onions-make-me-cry@reddit

I get it. My Gen X husband has had the same phone since 2020 (Samsung 12 I think). On the other hand, I get a new phone every other year or so, but I have a mid-budget phone (Google Pixel) that for a long time was doing a yearly upgrade trade-in for $50. Now that they got rid of that deal, I think I'm sticking with the 9 for a while.

[-]

Kayseax@reddit

A part of me died the day my Note8 did, and I had to get a new phone.

[-]

rmas1974@reddit

Your husband having an up to date phone is hardly a hillside to die on. If he is computer illiterate, he is unlikely to use the full extent of the old phone’s features so it isn’t sensible expenditure to get a new one (unless perhaps the old model is no longer supported).

[-]

NerdDaniel@reddit

GenX Scientist / Engineer here. I’m with the husband. I hate all this modern garbage technology that often doesn’t work and fails in 5 - 7 years. It’s planned obsolescence and simply designed to take as much money from us as possible.

[-]

HenryFeltersnatch@reddit

Cries in IPhone 8.

[-]

shitty_advice_BDD@reddit

Buy new phone, transfer butt to butt with phones, new phone, done.

[-]

Upper_Bodybuilder124@reddit

It's much easier now to transfer to new phones.

[-]

JamesMaysAnalBeads@reddit

You’d think so, but this kind of Gen Xer is the type who won’t sign in to their Google or Apple accounts or back up to the cloud—then acts surprised when their stuff doesn’t transfer. They want the convenience of technology but are too suspicious and anti establishment to let it work.

[-]

beyondplutola@reddit

God. Reminds me of the nightmare when my step-father went into the retirement home and having to work with my step-brother to fully compile his financial assets and liabilities from mountains of paperwork going back over 10 years. He wouldn't participate in any sort of online banking, portfolio management or electronic payment. For some reasons, electronic payment was all sorts of scary while paper checks were the golden standard of account security.

[-]

Upper_Bodybuilder124@reddit

That's why i keep my family's google logins in my password keeper. I just log them in and transfer their phones, tablets, and pcs for them. No one asks any questions.

[-]

Groyklug@reddit

Im a Gen Z and I hate getting a new phone. I am very technologically literate, build my own computers etc. But each time I get a new phone it's bloated with more bullshit that makes the user experience more cumbersome. I had a note 9 for about 8 years until my wife got me a Z fold 5 as a birthday present. Surprisingly, this phone does not have all of the bullshit the others have had, and has been a great experience.

[-]

Oh_Witchy_Woman@reddit

The good thing is, that most new Samsung phones are able to transfer most if not all of your settings when they transfer in the store.

[-]

grindhousedecore@reddit

I was in the same situation. I had a iPhone 7 up until about 2 weeks ago. It stopped updating and some of my apps quit working. I dreaded getting a newer one😫

[-]

Gtr-Lovr11@reddit

I'm 51 so Gen X definitely..I was writing programs in basic when I was 10 yrs old..Now can out code 20 yr olds..So yeah I don't get it if a Gen X can't operate a damn phone!

[-]

misdeliveredham@reddit

It makes me sad when people so young are already so conservative aka anxious about anything new. I know people as young as 40 who don’t like phone updates! Simply because “now the layout looks different”.

[-]

redlemurLA@reddit

GenXers were the first demographic who had to deal with “Planned Obsolescence.”

I Stand With OP’s Husband ✊

[-]

InevitableOk5017@reddit

You should divorce him now.

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XTingleInTheDingleX@reddit

I can’t imagine.

I had the first android phone on the market. Embrace technology!

[-]

SugarBeets@reddit

Having to have the latest phone reminds me of high school and having to wear the latest designer jeans. I'm no longer a teenager and don't need to drop $1000+ on a phone every 2 years to show how cool I am! I work in tech, and I hate getting new phones. My current phone is less than 2 years old, and the only reason I upgraded, is because the feature on the smart watch I wanted was not compatible with my old phone.

[-]

ABelleWriter@reddit

My 24yo kid refused to get a new phone until we were notified that our carrier would not support it anymore, it was a 2016 I think. (I want to say Samsung? Idk)

My 19 year old avoided getting a new phone until she woke up one day and it was completely dead. Didn't turn on, wouldn't charge.

So it's not necessarily a "getting old thing".

[-]

ThirdSunRising@reddit

If cost is no issue and he hates to learn anything, get him an iPhone. He has to learn it once but once he does, the new phones will always be exactly the same as the old ones

[-]

jeffster1970@reddit

I mean, the difference between the two shouldn't be that extreme. He'll figure it out fast.

[-]

mpete76@reddit

I feel that pain, I just had the battery replaced in my iPhone 14pro just to avoid that problem.

[-]

sunheadeddeity@reddit

I'm GenX, I sent my first email in 1995, I've spent my adult working life navigating new tech, apps, systems, file-sharing etc. etc.. GenX were on the cusp of all the new tech all the time. Your husband will be blown away by a modern smartphone and you won't be able to get him off it soon.

[-]

Coppergirl1@reddit

I feel his pain, I dread when my techy husband updates any of my tech but by day 2 I've moved on and am over it. He will be fine and wonder why he waited so long.

[-]

OGCelaris@reddit

I have an old phone that still works and I am in no hurry to upgrade. If I could find a phone without all the AI bullshit I would get it but they keep shoving it down our throats.

[-]

ajs440@reddit

I went from a note 4, to an 8, to a Note 20 ultra and now to Samsung's equivalent of what the note was and it's super slick which I would have upgraded earlier.

When you get the new phone it brings over all of the date from your previous phone, not one text message was left behind. All the apps downloaded automatically.

My new phone I've had for 3 months and it just performs better in every way. Way better camera, faster, better key board, brighter screen, higher resolution, built in ai.

Tell your husband to upgrade. I use my phone for work so I was skeptical od moving away from. The not product line but the phone that I have now is basically the new version on the note with stylus and all.

[-]

sageguitar70@reddit

I love getting new phones and having a fresh look at things. It's good for you to have change once in a while.

[-]

AnitaPeaDance@reddit

This is why I stick within the same ecosystem. I never buy the latest "greatest" one, but prefer older models either buying refurbished from the manufacturer or "new" from a reputable seller on eBay. The UI doesn't change much and moving data over to the new phone is easy peasy.

[-]

mand71@reddit

Feck, I've got a dumb phone because I rarely use it for calls and texts. Internet use I've got a tablet that I use at home.

[-]

TravelerMSY@reddit

That’s funny. Get an iPhone. There’s a reason why it doesn’t come with instructions.

[-]

BobbyFan54@reddit

I know for me, I need a new phone. Mine is six years old. I complain daily that it’s a POS. I bought my husband a new phone though his old one was “newer” than mine.

I recently described myself as having Stockholm Syndrome with my phone. So here’s the deal. We GenXers either are in our 50s. Or pushing 50. While I tolerate change and try to stay with the times, sometimes I just need familiarity to be cranky or whatever. Allow me that luxury. LOL

[-]

_53-@reddit

Let him know if it’s not updating your banking apps, the security updates are made to prevent someone from hacking his phone and getting into your finances

[-]

Cominghome74@reddit

All he needs to do is get another Samsung that's as close to the Note he has. It's not difficult.

[-]

gcfio@reddit

I’m Gen X and my dad loves getting a new phone every year.

[-]

Gobucks21911@reddit

I agree with him. My iPhone is on its last legs and I’ve been dreading getting a new one because they’ve changed so much the last couple gens, and not for the better. I hate AI, removing buttons in exchange for touch screen controls, messing up everyone’s photo albums….its just too much. However it wouldn’t make sense to switch to android at this point either since all my other products are Apple. If the changes were positive, I think I’d be okay with them, but imo they’re not positive changes.

[-]

mindfluxx@reddit

Tell him he needs to keep that part of his brain working or 10 years from now he will be a helpless kitten unable to do anything for himself.

[-]

SuburbaniteMermaid@reddit

I regret to inform you that your husband is actually a Boomer.

[-]

jojowasher@reddit

The good thing is the newer versions of Android can be made to look like the old version a bit, I did this for my Mom when she got a Pixel 9, you can disable the swiping and put the three buttons back on the bottom, she just couldn't figure out swiping. just disable anything new and fancy.

[-]

Shytownmofo@reddit

The last time I got a new phone was because I had to, 4 years ago. I deliberately picked the latest Galaxy, so I could keep it 4 or 5+ years. I'm still happy with it, as the updates have kept it current, and it still does what i need it to. Getting an updated model of the same phone is not bad at all, and the techs at the store can transfer everything onto your new one, pictures, ringtone and voicemail greeting, no muss, no fuss. He's just being a baby about it. Have him suck it up, and just do it.

[-]

DPax_23@reddit

The newest Samsungs are almost always an authentic improvement and the UI stays pretty consistent.

Phones, watches, and excersize stuff are the only tech I bother to keep up with anymore.

Upgrading in the same ecosystem will be pretty easy for him.

[-]

madogvelkor@reddit

I get a new phone every year. It's pretty painless now if you're sticking to the same OS.

[-]

Old_Goat_Ninja@reddit

I don’t understand how someone our age can have problems with this, with “learning” a new phone, etc. I’m kind of floored really, everyone I know our age wouldn’t struggle at all with this.

[-]

Expensive-Course1667@reddit

I just reluctantly traded in my iPhone 7 with the battery splitting open for a low end 16. It was relatively painless.

[-]

louse_yer_pints@reddit

Androids and much of a muchness so there's no real learning required. I mean most of us call, text, search stuff and social media and not much else so you can ignore the bells and whistles. I'm past fancy phones. When my old one stopped working I had a search about and took a chance on an Honor phone from Amazon which was less than £80 and does all the above. Got a cheap sim only deal £10pm and I'm good to go. I don't need to be able to take night shots at 30 feet underwater while being eaten by a shark or whatever the latest gadget it. Cheap and functional wins every time.

[-]

imrickjamesbioch@reddit

I mean, this has nothing to do with being old unless you both are 80+ years old. His first mistake was getting an Android…

Apples (with its faults), still makes the most user friendly smartphone. Upgrading is extremely simple and your new phone just copy all your data from your old phone via wifi. If you have issues with that you can also goto the Apple store and someone can help or call their support line.

People will bitch that Apple doesn’t come out with a ton of new features every year but that’s by design. They keep the learning curb to a minimum so the user experience is not impacted or change too drastically on when someone gets a new phone.

Either way, Im not here to sell apple products 🤣 Im not here to bash Samsung or Android. They make food products but I work at a hospital, and android phones then to attract younger, alot more tech savvy people who some reason hate Apple…

[-]

DiamondHandsDarrell@reddit

The Samsung S ultra is the continuaron of the notes and shouldn't be that big of a deal. However, it no longer has the sensor on board for health as the smart watch has taken over that role.

I still have my Notes 2, 4, and 9 🤣

[-]

Trident_77@reddit

I'm the same. S8 until this year. Samsung was offering $350(?) trade-in on any phone. Refurbished S23 for $280-ish. Reset the clock for another 6yrs.

[-]

Oxjrnine@reddit

Phones have gotten easier to understand since 2017. But not by much because nothing radical has changed since 2017.

[-]

Boxcar-Shorty@reddit

The last time I needed a new phone I bought the newest version of the same model, did a couple setup tweaks, set them next to each other and a few hours later the new phone looked pretty much the same as the old phone. There were a few minor differences but all my apps were in the same place and all my passwords were saved. I barely noticed the minor differences.

[-]

barrsm@reddit

Tell him to go out and get a new phone and come home before it gets dark.

[-]

Choice-Education7650@reddit

I tried to switch to an i phone. It lasted a week before I returned it. Turns out it is hard to learn new stuff with a brain tumor. I still need to replace my phone but I'm sticking with an android.

[-]

saxdiver@reddit

I settled on the Pixel platform for my phones, and the learning curve isn't so steep each time I have to upgrade. I would think that the Galaxy series would be at least familiar enough for him

[-]

SerHerman@reddit

I get it. Sometimes a phone is just Perfect.

I still miss my Note 9. The Sony Z3 had features you still can't find today.

[-]

breddy@reddit

There's nothing perfect about a connected device not getting security updates.

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SerHerman@reddit

Yeah, that's the problem. Everything is connected. The older I get, the more I resent the treadmills technology has forced us onto. You can no longer find something you like and just continue to use it.

The thing I liked about both of those phones was their physical robustness and how their cameras operated. But because those cameras are attached to large software platforms with huge security postures I can't use them anymore and I have to get a new one knowing I'll have to throw it away too.

There will never be a mass market phone with better audio than the HTC One. But you can't listen to the new Taylor Swift on it.

It's ok to mourn that as you're forced to plod along the cycle of consumption and waste.

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in-a-microbus@reddit

The Sony Z3 had features you still can't find today.

Lol that just reminds me that windows 3.1 had features that you can't find in Microsoft Teams. Maybe I wouldn't hate new tech so much if they hadn't taken away grep and awk

[-]

Inattendue@reddit

I mean, my Microsoft phone’s Cortana had Siri beat in spades. The tiles were cleaner the whole aesthetic was great. Sadly, they were too late to market.

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RI-Transplant@reddit

There’s not really much new to learn. My original smartphone in 2004 had more advanced features than my iPhone does now. It’s mainly the cameras that have advanced.

[-]

blooobolt@reddit

Sounds like my boyfriend, who I lovingly call a Boomer every time he complains about something fairly routine. (bear in mind he was born in 1980; he has zero excuses for technological illiteracy)

Also, get a used phone or one that's a few years old. There's no reason to drop a grand on a brand new Samsung. You can get one from a few years ago that's like $200.

[-]

NegScenePts@reddit

Yes, because it's better to handicap oneself's interaction with the wider net and then bitch and moan about missing 'the good old days' by using a phone that's slow and incompatible. If he just uses it to shudder make phone calls...then get him a basic boomer phone and let him know he's a disgrace.

[-]

Rich_Group_8997@reddit

I whined when my brother told me i needed to get a new phone. I mostly hate having to set things up and the word little features that they change (which no one asked for). 😂 I do think whoever at Samsung developed the feature that will set up your phone in the identical manner as your previous phone deserves a novel prize. 🤣

[-]

Whatisthisnonsense22@reddit

Having to re-remove the bloatware that you delete on your devices is enough to not get rid of a phone that works.

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Capable-Moose5275@reddit

I had the same issue moving forward, and am gen x as well.

Hopefully he knows how to use YouTube, and just watch some tutorial videos and he’ll be fine. We are not as tech handicapped as our parents. Keep learning the tools that teach.

[-]

robertwadehall@reddit

I’m 55, don’t think I’ve ever gone more than 2 years without getting a new phone since 1996.

[-]

edwbuck@reddit

My dread of getting a new phone isn't the learning curve. It's the fact that every phone I've had in the last eight years were better at things I didn't care about and worse at things I did care about.

Stuff I care about? Battery life. Not having the phone turn into a toaster when playing games. Not having the phone built with circuit board problems like bad soldering joints. Not having design issues in the circuit board that means "it's just a matter of time" before the phone truly dies in ways that require a new motherboard. Those all impacted me in the last decade. The phone not locking up or crashing.

Stuff I don't care about? The world's best voice to speech handling. The phone attempting to us AI to do a much better job on the tasks it does reasonably well already. The sleek "new" design which looks 95% like the last sleek "new" design. The camera quality that's been "good enough I can't tell the difference" for the last decade.

And yet, it seems like every phone that comes out has more of what I don't care about and less of what I care about. I dread the next phone purchase, mostly because I'll have to wade through a sea of reviews, some obviously biased to the point of lying, and try to figure out the best (or at least a really good) choice.

[-]

AnimatorDifficult429@reddit

I effing hate getting a new phone. The set up is so annoying

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TheOriginalTarlin@reddit

That is my phone... got it on closeout six years ago. Works like a charm except the pictures are funny now or it is my eyes.

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in-a-microbus@reddit

I'm with your husband on this one. I no longer believe holding onto old tech means you're getting old.

Tech SUCKS now. Enshitificstion is a very real problem. I'm still using a Samsung 9 because it still has a headphone jack meaning I don't have to charge things separately. I still play our NES because me and my kids love the games.

Sticking with something that works isn't stubborn, it's common sense.

[-]

TabuTM@reddit

Weirdly this funny post has triggered anger? I like you, OP. You are hilarious!

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Massive-Ant5650@reddit

I’m in the same place .. I don’t wanna! My phone is paid off, still works just fine, all my stuff is there .

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trevordbs@reddit

The benefit of apple. For old heads it’s the best option not much really changes.

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OldSchoolPrinceFan@reddit

Lady, I have an LG phone.

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acanis73@reddit

Bought my wife a new s24 6 months ago to replace her old LG.

She keeps complaining about her phone freezing, but wont touch her new one due to the 'hassle' of migrating her photos and videos. She wont take any advice or reason , so i just gave up.

Used to think this things were old people quirks. Guess we are old now

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RedditSkippy@reddit

We’re too young to be starting these shenanigans.

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Aggravating_Cable_32@reddit

For me it's not having to learn a new phone, it's transferring all the important data, family pictures & videos, favorite music, having to find/update/reinstall all the apps I used (several are always unavailable on the new device), and having to remember passwords/sign in to everything again. Then invariably a bunch of pictures and music gets lost or deleted when it insists on sending things to the cloud first.

The last time I had to get a new phone, I lost years worth of family pictures & video; it started uploading them to the cloud, deleting them off the old phone as it went, and then found out the cloud account didn't exist (or I didn't have access to it). I even took it to several stores to see if they could recover things, but it was all gone for good. That was it for me and buying a new phone. When the one I have finally dies I'm putting everything onto a PC storage drive and going back to a basic flip phone.

[-]

anarchyreigns@reddit

This is a definite problem with aging, and men in particular. Change is scary and difficult. I try to personally work on this mindset by doing things differently on a regular basis. Changing my route that I drive to work, buying a different brand of socks, cooking new things. Keeping the brain flexible is the answer, so also include new activities and sports.

[-]

mat2277@reddit

I get the whole anger about not wanting to learn a new device…having to buy a device costing up to $1000 with a built in shelf life is stupid AF too.

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HoneybucketDJ@reddit

2017 ? That's practically brand new.

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WorkingRoof9832@reddit

I just think no one likes change. And even though getting a new phone is not that hard I have like 8 different MFA apps that all have to be set up again every time I change and it’s a hassle. Don’t shame the guy - he’ll be fine. It’s never as bad as you think.

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jeremyism_ab@reddit

Tell him to get a pixel.

[-]

bamagurl06@reddit

I love my phone and the technology. Never having to carry money on me. Some states have digital drivers license. Not mine but would love it. Switching phones to my current one was easy. If for some reason I need “help” I just use google.

[-]

Wittyname404@reddit

If he stays with Samsung Android based phone the experience will be similar, and should be able to allow him to transfer his stuff so that its all where he wants it.

Some learning may be required but it shouldn't be too bad.

You can get a second hand high end phone thats a year or two old or a refirb somewhat affordably.

[-]

Flaky_Wheel60B@reddit

Your son’s response is killing me.

I love it

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dm21120@reddit

iPhone… you just download your old phone on to the new one….

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dadofsummer@reddit

The differences in the phone setup isn’t going to be that different, he will most likely be amazed at how much faster stuff loads

[-]

Khaetra@reddit

My husband is a boomer who resisted getting a smartphone for as long as he could. I showed him how easy the iPhone was to use (I was already a convert years ago) and now he loves it. If my old man can handle it, so can yours.

[-]

OnehappyOwl44@reddit

You think that's bad. i still refuse to get a phone. I'm happy with my lap top and my land line. My goal is to die never having owned a cellphone

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SnowLepor@reddit

I agree 100% with him. Although I think learning a new iPhone is easier than Android phones and I have had both.

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I_love_Hobbes@reddit

You can pry my Note8 out of my cold dead hands. I love it, it works, and no way am I buying a new phone.

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whineybubbles@reddit (OP)

Are you my husband?

[-]

Rab1dus@reddit

We are not old and we are not afraid of technology. Your husband isn't GenX, he's a luddite.

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Brilliant-Onion2129@reddit

Part of the reason I’ve been staying in the Apple crowd is when I get a new phone I clone the old one onto the new one. You get the new tech but you don’t get to the point you don’t understand it at all. My wife and I have a rule, we always get the same phones

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bedlog@reddit

Consumer Cellular will be his friend. After being a Verizon sucker for so long, I'm glad I switched

[-]

Kilashandra1996@reddit

Even my 83 year old Boomer dad has got his new phone up and running! Is he happy with it? No, but that's mostly bc dad bought "the cheapest thing Target had." You get what you pay for, dad...

Now, when my microwave from 1986 dies, I am going to have a funeral. My college roommates from the 90s will probably attend as well. OP's husband is welcome to attend my future Pity Party. Or not.

Whatever... : )

[-]

mdervin@reddit

That’s why you get an iPhone.

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SillyWithTheHEMI@reddit

GenX husband/dad myself and I love tech. I am currently using a Fold7, however prior to jumping into the Fold line, I was an avid Note user. I've owned every Galaxy Note from the 3 onward. The Note line evolved into the S Ultra line. It really wouldn't be much of a transition considering it is running very similar software and engineered/design by the same manufacturer.

Unless your husband is moving to iOS, it really will not be an issue. Samsung especially, has an app called Smart Switch. You place both phones side by side, connect with a cable or via WiFi and copy everything over; Home screen layout, call logs, text trails, literally everything.

[-]

whipla5her@reddit

I get it.. but after growing up during the beginnings of PC's, Internet, and cell phones... I gotta have the new stuff. I upgrade my phone and laptop usually every other year. I'd do it every year, but that gets a little pricey.

[-]

crazee_frazee@reddit

Ironically, the Reddit app performs so badly on my current phone (2020?) that I broke down and ordered a new one last night.

[-]

may_pie@reddit

If he’s Gen X this should be a non-issue.

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TheLawOfDuh@reddit

Lol…so funny. Im 57m and enjoy new technology as long as it has relevance to my needs. Remind the guy that YouTube is full of free easy instructions for anything like using a new phone. Heck, get him into forums such as this with his peers where he can simply post his unanswered questions….if nothing else folks may direct him to more appropriate forums/sites where he can get his answers. Where things have changed over the years, the internet is fast with answers and instruction.

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DraftRich9177@reddit

It is not an old thing at all. Frankly that’s just silly. The constant release of models is simply a ploy to get you to spend your money. You’re not getting anything life changing, it’s just repackaged junk. Same thing as toilet paper with wavy edges vs straight.

[-]

synsa@reddit

Not a GenX thing, it's a frame of mind thing. I keep myself up to date on all tech, not just phones. Anything you don't know is easily learned on YouTube or Google searches

[-]

BuDu1013@reddit

Once he trades his old note and gets into a S25ULTRA he'll kick himself in the behind for not doing it earlier.

Newer phones basically do all the work for you. His thinking is that a new is going to be clunkier than his current one. Not the case

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JonnyRocks@reddit

things havent chaged that much. i also use samsung and had the note 8 . i use the microsoft launcher and the ui has been consustant.

[-]

punchcreations@reddit

There’s something to be said for holding on to old tech as long as possible. Throw-away culture is a stain upon the earth. I have a similar feeling towards clothing and vehicles.

[-]

beantownchamps@reddit

Hand him a stone tablet, a hammer, & a chisel. Here's your new phone, neanderthal!!

[-]

kawkaw22@reddit

I am on my 4th iPhone. New phone looks just like the old phone because of the backups. Practically non learning curve for us gen xers

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VariationOk9359@reddit

i don’t get a new phone until all my most used apps threaten to close down support on my os 🤣🤣😅

[-]

ExMoMisfit@reddit

Ha ha ha I totally relate to this as I type on my iPhone 12 with a cracked screen that I’ve been putting off replacing for the last 6 months 😀

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Ceti-@reddit

Once I couldnt replace the charge cable for my startac I had to upgrade

[-]

Ironklad_@reddit

I didn’t know this was a thing , most of my fellow Gen X’rs grew up on technology we taught everyone how to use vcr’s ffs .. we helped our parents when the first cell phones came out.. shit we learned how to squeeze every byte of memory on our hard drives.. Pirate Bay anyone ? We learned all this shit.. how is your hubby afraid of tech

[-]

Ironklad_@reddit

I didn’t know this was a thing , most of my fellow Gen X’rs grew up on technology we taught everyone how to use vcr’s ffs .. we helped our parents when the first cell phones came out.. shit we learned how to squeeze every byte of memory on our hard drives.. Pirate Bay anyone ? We learned all this shit.. how is your hubby afraid of tech

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Mr_IT@reddit

Sounds like my Boomer mom.

[-]

VirusOrganic4456@reddit

So I just went through this. Let your husband know that my husband's phone had his credit card stolen off of it twice because the phone was no longer getting security updates. The first time it happened wasn't enough for him to get a new phone. Finally after the second time when I completely flipped out he sucked it up and went to do it in person.

And guess what? He loves his new phone lol.

[-]

BrilliantWeb@reddit

I was on the 'old phone' bandwagon until I couldn't use tap to pay anymore. I did the unthinkable and bought a flagship phone. You know what? I love the damn thing.

[-]

GlitterChickens@reddit

I hate Apple with a passion now….. but also am not switching because I just don’t have the spoons to learn how an android works. I’ve certainly lost my tech curiosity.

[-]

sa123xxx@reddit

Idiotic

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JustWowinCA@reddit

LOL, good son. Yeah, I went from an Iphone 6 to a 13. My daughter bought mine because I was resistant but mine was finally giving up the ghost.

[-]

meipsus@reddit

My phone is a Redmi something-or-other that my son picked for me around 2018. It still works, so I'm keeping it. It's quite annoying to reinstall everything, so I'm not looking forward to buying a new one. I'd sincerely prefer not to have a smartphone, to be honest, but unfortunately, it's no longer possible. Everything seems to require a smartphone now. When my present phone stops working, I'll ask my son to pick a new one for me, sigh deeply, and go ahead with it.

[-]

dizzie_buddy1905@reddit

An equivalent phone to the Note 8 is over $1000 more than what he paid for the old phone. Pricing is crazy but the new app updates haven’t added that many new features. I totally understand his position.

[-]

Deep-Ad-9728@reddit

Tell your hubby that this 57 year old woman switched from iPhone to Samsung 11 months ago. Does he wanna be outdone by an old woman?!?!

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CocoaAlmondsRock@reddit

To be fair, my husband and I both hate buying new phones. We keep them until they break or can't be updated. Ridiculous amount of money. It's not hard to learn to use it if you keep the old one up-to-date as long as possible and then get the same kind.

Gah, I despise phones. I turn the default ringtone to No Ringtone, and give a ringtone to a small handful of people. Everyone else can leave a voicemail, and I might call them back. Probably won't but might. I have apps for place like Chipotle and the airline I use for business travel. No games. No work apps (and I refuse to even set up the work iPhone they gave me). HATE THEM.

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Bubbly_Ad3880@reddit

I am one with hubs on this issue. However, recognition to your son his approach is quite nice.

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chartreuse_avocado@reddit

My philosophy on tech changes is like exercise and body mobility.

When you sit down and plug into the TV you sedentary yourself into body stagnation and participation in life declines until your body just can’t even when you want to.

Tech is the same. Exercise your tech flexibility as it advances, grows and changes or be left behind not able to participate in life with the people you care about eventually.
Add in that life business maintenance is only going to continue. For my parents it was in person banking and check writing vs online bill pay they struggled to adjust to. Given the pace of tech advancements who knows what tech muscle we’ll need to pay property taxes and converse with grandkids and great grandkids to have strong relationships.

Use it or fall behind. At first it’s NBD, just a few platforms and apps that you don’t try and use. Then it’s swaths of advancements that you can’t figure out and get frustrated by.
I’m thinking about helping my parents figure out how to download digital photos and how not to one thought that experience was fun.

I’m not saying this is your husband but hanging on to fixed tech point is a non-winner for future life quality.

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lirili@reddit

Not a Gen X thing from where I sit. Can't wait to upgrade my toys.

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SixtyTwo-@reddit

Your last sentence is hilarious. I still enjoy getting new tech but I can see a day in the future when it will be daunting

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SpareUnit9194@reddit

Lol, feel your pain. Our 4 boys (15-19) are still @ home so when my tech- phobic husband holds up his incredibly old broken android & yells ( always melodramatically) 'i told you, it's finally dead!'..one will come yawning out of his room to help to ancient dementia patient turn the damn thing on properly:-)

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canuckEnoch@reddit

I just upgraded my 1st gen iPhone SE (around the era of iPhone 6) to an iPhone 13 this spring. It wasn’t the latest model, so fairly cheap. I get more data, unlimited phone and texting, and paying 40% less, even while financing the phone for two years, after which those fees fall off.