Australians are holding onto older smartphones for longer, with data showing upgrade cycles have doubled since 2021. Both outlets report that more people are delaying new purchases amid rising costs.
The coverage links the trend to increasing device prices, noting that smartphones now cost well over $5,000. PerthNow and The West Australian both frame the change as a shift in consumer behaviour, with Australians extending the lifespan of their current devices rather than upgrading on their usual timeline. Neither outlet highlights specific brands or model changes; instead, they focus on the broader affordability pressure and its effect on upgrade timing.
While both sources draw the same overall conclusion, their reporting differs only in wording and emphasis. Together, the articles provide a consistent picture: higher prices are contributing to longer phone ownership periods across Australia.